Six weeks after a proposal to expand the Community YMCA facility came up one vote short at the Red Bank zoning board, an attempt to get the idea back on track ran into a brick wall at the planning board Monday night.

The outcome left Mayor Pasquale Menna isolated by two boards over which he has appointment control. Seven planning board members voted in favor of a resolution finding the Y plan not to be in conformance with the goals of the borough’s Master Plan. Menna alone voted ‘no’ on the measure.

“This ordinance is a slap in the face,” zoning board member Rosemary Minear told the planning board.

The hearing’s purpose was for the planning board to offer an opinion to the borough council on a proposed amendment to zoning laws to reclassify recreational usages as permissible in the zone in which the Y sits. Approval by the council would enable the Y to revive its plan without having to confront the significant obstacle of a use variance.

The council, which has not had a formal vote on the issue, may still proceed with the zoning change, but without planning board OK would need a supermajority to pass it, planning board attorney Michael Leckstein said.

Last night’s rejection threw a political obstacle in the way of that end, and came after three members of the zoning board, appearing in unofficial capacities, challenged the rationale for the request.

One of them, Rosemary Minear, said she took “umbrage” at the prospect of the zoning board’s decision being overruled by another body after a long series of hearings and deliberation.

“This ordinance as proposed is tailor-made for the YMCA and is tantamount to spot zoning,” Minear told the board. “It is my opinion that this is an obvious attempt to undermine the decision” of the zoning board.

Zoning board member Karen Waldmann asked the planning board, “If the zoning board had voted five-to-two [in favor of the Y plan], would we be here today?”

“That’s a rhetorical question, I assume,” interjected Leckstein.

“It does speak for itself,” Waldmann replied.

Marvin Goldin, a congregant of Congregation Beth Shalom, whose property would be surrounded by the Y’s parking lot, called the amendment an attempt to “end-around” the zoning board decision, and urged rejection.

With Menna appearing discomfitted, planning board members Guy Maratta, Dan Mancuso, Lou DiMento and Councilwoman Sharon Lee, all stood up for the zoning board. They were joined in rejecting the zone change by Administrator Stan Sickels, board Chairman John Cash and John Goode.

“A very good zoning board rendered an opinion, and they feel the rug is being pulled out from under them,” Maratta said. “I would have concern that I can’t vote my conscience. I think they did a fine job.”

An attorney for the Y said previously that a failure by the council to act in the facility’s favor might result in a lawsuit being filed against the zoning board.

Kjel Franchi, 32, was arrested at about 8p after police answered a call about a man who was unresponsive and not breathing in a car parked outside the Extended Stay America hotel on Newman Springs Road in the Lincroft section, according to Lieutenant Stephen Dollinger.

Officers arriving on the scene found Franchi conscious and breathing but incoherent, Dollinger says in a press release. While attempting to to locate the man’s identification or any medical alert bracelets that might explain his condition, the officers found a plastic bag with a substance believed to be cocaine and a rolled-up $20 bill with powder residue in his pants pocket, he says.

Franchi refused medical attention and was arrested for possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He was released on his own recognizance, Dollinger says.

Shane Bruno, who brought back old-style barbering to a tiny Red Bank shop that had been home to tonsorial artists for nearly a century, was arrested last week for “trashing” the shop, police say.

According to Captain Darren McConnell, Bruno broke into the Old World Shaving Parlor at 4B West Front Street after it’s actual owner and his  former girlfriend, Patricia Gilmartin, terminated him on March 6.

A note on the door of the Old World Shaving Parlor says it is closed for renovation.

Sometime that night or early the next day, Bruno, 34, is alleged to have entered the shop and gone on a spree, busting mirrors, countertops and cabinetry, leaving behind more than $10,000 worth of damage, McConnell says.

An investigation led police to Bruno, who turned himself in at police headquarters on March 8. He was arrested and jailed at the Monmouth County lockup after state Superior Court Judge Richard English set bail at $47,500. Bruno made bail the next day and was scheduled for arraignment today, McConnell says.

Charges include burglary, criminal mischief, harassment and terroristic threats. The case is now in the hands of the Monmouth County Prosecutor, McConnell says.

Bruno had installed the fixtures himself, reviving the late 19th-century look of what had long been the home of Marascio’s barbershop with old-style barber chairs and a decorative shoeshine stand in the window where his bulldog, Harley, would sun herself.

The shop was closed for several weeks late last year while Bruno recovered from injuries after he was hit head-on by a car while riding his motorcycle, he told customers.

Crime reports provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the week of March 5 to March 12, 2010. This information appears here unedited.

Criminal Mischief occurring at Wikoff Place on 3-5-10. Victim reported that unknown person(s) threw garbage onto property and damaged a shrub. Ptl. Paul Perez.

Burglary and Criminal Mischief occurring between 3-7-10 and 3-08-10 at business located at West Front St. Owner reported that subject had entered business and trashed everything within the business, such as business fixtures and appliances, counter tops, pictures, appliances, t.v., credit card machine, and cash register. Ptl. Michael Campanella.

Theft occurring at Shrewsbury Avenue on 3-8-10 at approx. 1936 hours. Victim reported that while delivering produce to a café, his truck was parked in the rear of the business. During which time unidentified subject(s) stole a red book bag from the front seat of truck, which contained cash and checks. Ptl. Ashon Lovick.

Theft occurring at Maple Avenue parking lot between 3-3-10 and 3-4-10. Unknown subject removed credit cards and driver’s license from wallet inside of parked vehicle. Ptl Michael Zadlock.

Theft occurring at Monmouth Street, between 3-9-10 and 3-10-10. Victim reported that unknown person(s) stole a metal copper colored wire mannequin from in front of store. Ptl. John Camarca.

Attempted Robbery occurring at, West Bergen Place business on 3-10-10 at approx. 2142 hours. Victim reported that a black male subjects entered the store, described as age 18, approx. 5′10″ to 5′11″ light skinned, wearing black hooded sweatshirts. Subject approached the counter, pulled out a kitchen knife and demanded money. As subject moved towards counter large jar fell on the floor and the subject fled without getting any money. Ptl. Jorge Torres.

Victim reported that on 2-10-10 a cell phone (Verizon Motorola Razor) was lost while walking in the area of Bridge Avenue and Riverside Ave. After receiving monthly bill it was discovered that international phone calls had been made and charged to the account by unknown person(s). Ptl. John Camarca.

Victim reported that on 3-10-10 while walking in the area of Monmouth Street, she lost her wallet. It was discovered on the following day that her ATM/debit card had been used by unknown person(s) to purchase two American Express gift cards totaling $100.00. Ptl. Michael Campanella.

ARRESTS 4 Contempt of Court

OTHER ARRESTS:

Luis Perez-Camargo, age 19 male from Red Bank was arrested on 3-11-10 in the area of Chestnut St. for Poss. of CDS, Marijuana Under 50 grams by Ptl. Jorge Torres.

Urge Brun-Solis, age 26 male of Red Bank was arrested on 3-9-10 in the area of River St. for Simple Assault and Resisting Arrest by Ptl. Ashon Lovick.

Shane Bruno, age 34 male of Red Bank was arrested on 3-8-10 in the area of Monmouth St. for Harassment, Terroristic Threats, Burglary and Criminal Mischief by Ptl. Deron Ilarraza.

Catalina Reyes-Munoz, age 19 female of Red Bank was arrested on 3-8-10 in the area of Monmouth St. for Disorderly Conduct by Ptl. Jorge Torres.

Elias Michael Carousis, age 48 male of Manasquan was arrested on 3-7-10 in the area of Shrewsbury Ave. for DWI by Capt Darren McConnell.

Kelly Traynor, age 44 female of Middletown was arrested on 3-7-10 in the area of Gold St. for Disorderly Conduct by Ptl. James DePonte.

Christian Caldaro, age 23 male of Middletown was arrested on 3-6-10 in the area of W. Front St. for DWI by Capt. Darren McConnell.

Thomas Bajor, age 21 male of Brick was arrested on 3-6-10 in the area of Half Mile Road for DWI by Ptl. James DePonte.

Eileen J. Bartell, age 59 female of Colts Neck was arrested on 3-6-10 in the area of Broad St. for Shoplifting by Ptl. John Camarca.

Rojano Rojas-Francisco, age 49 male of Red Bank was arrested on 3-6-10 in the area of Rector Place for Lewdness, Defiant Trespass, Disorderly Conduct by Ptl. Paul Perez.

Kevin Macarthur, age 36 male of Highlands was arrested on 3-5-10 in the area of W. Westside Ave. for Poss. of CDS, Crack Cocaine. Ptl. John Camarca.

In an arena that’s crowded with ever more outlandish and obnoxious “food celebrities,” master chef David Burke (left) has remained refreshingly “blarney-free” when it comes to his seriously whimsical approach to fine dining — and on St. Patty’s Day, the Hazlet native and superstar restaurateur hosts the second annual No Blarney Chef Competition at his David Burke Fromagerie in Rumson — an event that sees Burke vying with his own exec chef and one of his mentors in an all-for-fun competition to determine whose kitchen kung fu is king. We’ll talk to Burke himself, about Wednesday’s event as well as his guest turn on the new season of TV’s Top Chef Masters.

From there, it’s on to Red Bank’s Monmouth Conservatory of Music, where executive director Vladislav Kovalsky (right) and faculty are celebrating 45 years as the area’s preeminent place for classical music education, with a gala fundraiser dedicated to the continuation of their many programs AND their generous slate of free concerts. We’ve got the details on this very special event, with bragging rights on the rest of the week’s happenings, ONLY in Red Bank oRBit!

Seven people died in weather-related accidents and nearly half a million homes were without power at the peak of the weekend storm that socked New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, the Associated Press reports today.

At the storm’s peak, more than 235,000 customers in New Jersey — many of them at the Jersey Shore — were without power, according to the Asbury Park Press.

With some 100,000 New Jersey homes still without power, Gov. Chris Christie last night declared a state of emergency in New Jersey. The order “allows state police to limit access to impacted areas and order evacuations,” the Press reports.

Meantime, with the storm past, we still won’t see much sunshine until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Here’s the forecast:

Today: Periods of rain. High near 48. North wind around 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight: Occasional rain, mainly before 2am. Low around 34. Breezy, with a north wind between 16 and 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: A chance of rain before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind between 10 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind between 3 and 8 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

A nearly uninterrupted stream of emergency calls had police, firefighters and medical personnel jumping Saturday afternoon.

Heavy rain driven by high winds knocked down trees, limbs, power lines and traffic lights in the Red Bank region.

Here’s a sampling of what redbankgreen saw on a short spin through the area.

Downed wires forced a closing of Maple Avenue in Red Bank…

…where wind-whipped wires also pulled the siding away from a house.

Hance Road in Rumson was closed by a downed tree.

Markers blocked off downed wires at Ridge Road and Forrest Avenue, also in Rumson.

Emergency personnel inspected a house on Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright, where falling wires pulled the fascia off a house…

…while on Surf Street in Sea Bright police and firefighters responded to a report of a downed live wire.

Chainsaw wielding workers raced to remove a tree that blocked Rumson Road in Rumson…

…and another tree partially blocked West River Road, also in Rumson.

This tree, said to be more than 100 feet tall, was toppled at Tower Hill in Red Bank. (Photo courtesy of Matt Borowski)

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI

In the nationwide rat race — or, to be taxonomically precise, the rodent, termite, mosquito and cockroach race —  Red Bank Middle School students stand alone.

On Thursday, they collected the grand prize of $3,000 in the first national contest to create a public service announcement for the National Pest Management Association. Their winning entry, “Club Roach,” may be broadcast nationwide, a spokeswoman for the group says.

Two other entries submitted by the middle school also finished in the top five.

Eighth grade students Monica Urena and Joseph Hoff, middle, shadow superintendent Laura Morana, left, and middle school principal Maria Iozzi, far right, in the first Student Leadership Day. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)

Aside from the pride in beating out more than 50 submissions, the accomplishment equated to more dough for the school system. As previously reported on redbankgreen, the middle schoolers have been on a video-contest tear in recent years, racking up prizes for their mashups of music and imagery. They’ve also won a boatload of technology for use in classrooms.

“You are the ones making it possible to have more tools, so feel proud about that,” Holcombe Hurd, a middle school teacher who helped shepherd the video-making process, told the students.

The pride was evident on the students’ faces as they watched the winning video with wide eyes and smiles Thursday. Gathering around that oversized check from the association didn’t seem to hurt, either. They were presented with a $3,000 check along with some other pest-related gimcracks: bug rings (that can double-up as scrunchies for the girls, association representative Missy Henriksen said), bug keychains, bug viewfinders and CDs of bug songs.

But what the students will ultimately be able to take away, besides the skills needed to make these kinds of projects, is a glimpse into a world outside the confines of Red Bank or New Jersey, said Chris Ippolito, another teacher who helped guide the making of the video.

“I love the whole idea that we brainstormed the idea an you took the ball and ran with it,” he said. “You get to see your work in a real-world scenario and I’m really happy for that.”

The good news? You won’t be shoveling snow this weekend.

But unless you’re a frog, there’s not a lot to like about the National Weather Service forecast for our area:

Today: Periods of rain, mainly after 9am. High near 45. East wind between 13 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Periods of rain. Low around 43. Windy, with a east wind 17 to 20 mph increasing to between 28 and 31 mph. Winds could gust as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Periods of rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 46. Windy, with a east wind between 29 and 36 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Periods of rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 43. Windy, with a east wind 26 to 29 mph decreasing to between 16 and 19 mph. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Northeast wind between 15 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Yes, that’s the new children’s librarian, Samantha Quintas, who added yoga classes to the program. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI

Samantha Quintas has a tattoo on her right wrist that reads “In Libris Libertas.” It translates from Latin as “In books there is freedom.”

You might say she was destined to be where she is today, as head of the children’s library at Red Bank Public Library. But it wasn’t a clear path to West Front Street.

Despite her love of books, Quintas, 24, wasn’t always so eager to master the Dewey Decimal system or spend hours re-stocking shelves. In fact, it was the latter that almost drove Quintas to find a different career.

Samantha Quintas took over as children’s librarian at Red Bank Public Library last month. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)

She was in high school and working at Sayreville Public Library. Tired of the tedium of stocking the shelves, told her boss she had had about enough.

“It was the most miserable job in the world. I tried to quit. My boss told me to get another job,” she says. But she decided to stick it out.

“Here I am eight years later and I love my job,” she says. “I guess somewhere in between that conversation and now, I fell in love with my job.”

Her passion shows. Since taking the Red Bank job last month, Quintas has instituted new programs, including children’s yoga and a pajama party-type book party, and is bringing in a bubble expert to show kids the science of bubbles. She has  more ideas brewing, including one for  an after-school homework help program.

Even though she’s a big girl now, and earning her master’s at Rutgers, Quintas still enjoys getting into a teen book, mostly because the plots are interesting, she says, but also so she can stay somewhat abreast of what teenagers are into these days.

“I do think I’m like a grown-up kid, and I can relate to teens a lot better,” she says.

One of her main objectives is to get that cohort more interested in reading and the library, as well as beefing up the library’s young adult section, which now takes up only a couple shelves.

“I want them to think the library is a cool place to go,” Quintas says.

Quite a blue-sky statement, right? Maybe not. It’s clear that Quintas defies the stereotypical cardigan-clad, shushing librarian and brings a fresh vibe to the library. Her ability to relate to the middle and high school crowd could prove alluring. If she gets her way, the children’s library may be seen in a completely different light.

“I want people to see the library not just as someplace to get books. I want them to see the library as an environment, and a place where you can get knowledge and joy out of being here,” she says.

But ultimately, she says, she just wants more people reading more books.

After all, that’s where the freedom is.