Tinton Falls clerk to retire after 23 years
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — After serving the borough for more than 23 years, Borough Clerk Karen Mount-Taylor will retire before the holiday season.
Mount-Taylor said in an interview last week that her last day with the borough will be Oct. 29.
“It is bittersweet, but it is a happy time for me because this is what most people work for,” she said. “I am very happy.”
Mount-Taylor said she initially put in for retirement two years ago but kept putting it off until she finally felt like it was a good time to leave.
“Two years ago I put it on the record that I put my retirement papers in,” she said. “I placed it on the record that I was seriously considering retirement and that I was going to go next year.
“I then decided to move it up so I was going to be home for the holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she added. “Normally I do those [preparations] at night and I’m still wrapping presents Christmas morning.”
Mount-Taylor said the council held a special executive session Aug. 25 to interview candidates for the job.
She also said that about 10 résumés were sent for the clerk’s position and that she will largely be staying out of the process of finding her replacement.
“I actually think it’s better that council interviews the candidate because that is [who] they will have to work with,” she said. “They did have me review the résumés that were submitted.”
Mount-Taylor started with the borough in 1987 and has performed her job through four sets of mayors.
She also said that her favorite part of the job has been swearing in new members of council.
“You know what I really love doing? I love swearing in people, new council members,” she said. “It gives me a sense of pride that someone takes that much to be swornin in public.
“I’ve had a lot of best moments so I really couldn’t narrow it down to one,” she added.
She also described some of the more difficult parts of the clerk’s job.
“The hardest part is keeping up with all the different statutes that change and then you have to be able to comply with them,” Mount-Taylor said. “Making sure everything is up to date and kept accurately.”
One of the things Mount-Taylor will do after she retires is help her husband, who owns and operates a landscaping and lawn care company.
“It is time, I am looking forward to it,” she said. “I’ve been doing this a long time and I’m going to go home and help my husband in his business.
“I am going to give him maybe a couple of extra hours during the evening to help him with his paperwork.”
She also said that she would do a lot of volunteer work once she retires.
“I’m really looking forward to doing charity work,” Mount-Taylor said. “With my church, we feed the homeless, we do things like volunteer for a Bible school.
“I can think of so many things … go to the soup kitchen and work, or pass out mittens in New York with my church.”
While she is leaving her post with the borough, Mount-Taylor said she expects to remain involved and active in Tinton Falls.
“Maybe I’ll take a sabbatical, but I have plans for staying involved because I am a taxpayer in Tinton Falls,” she said. “Maybe not twice [council meetings] a month.”
According to the Tinton Falls website, the duties of the municipal clerk include: chief administrative official of elections; prepare meeting agendas for Borough Council and attend all meetings with the responsibility of recording the minutes of the meetings; custodian of the original copies of all ordinances, resolutions, minutes, performance bonds, contracts, borough deeds and easements; administrative officer responsible for licenses and permits (liquor and raffle licenses); and custodian of financial disclosure statements.
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Concerns continue over crime, safety in city
Concerns continue over crime, safety in city
Neighbors ask for better lighting, police presence
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
For the second time this summer, a group of citizens has stepped forward with concerns about issues of safety and crime in Long Branch.
Three residents stood up during the public portion of the Aug. 24 City Council meeting representing their West End neighborhood and the problems they say they have experienced in recent years.
Hildred Woolley presented the council with a list of three recommendations aimed at improving conditions leading to what she said has been a rash of police activity in the neighborhood centering around the apartment building at 559 Second Ave. on the corner of Second Avenue and Passey Gardens.
Woolley’s recommendations include increased lighting in the area, stricter code enforcement by the city, and an increased police presence.
“We, the residents of this neighborhood, want the city of Long Branch to help and support us in returning this area to a safe community,” she said. “We request that the city address these issues.
“We believe adequate street lighting and more police presence will help turn away criminal activity.”
Woolley cited numerous recent incidents that allegedly occurred around the apartment complex, including an Aug. 21 shooting, tires stolen from a parked car, a man loitering in the early morning in the apartment laundry room, occupied cars parked in different driveways, and one neighbor being followed home.
Woolley also gave statistics on the number of police calls made from the apartment complex, claiming that between December 2002 and October 2008 there were 76 calls made to the police. In contrast, she said that between January 2009 and August 2010 there were 66 calls made to the police.
“We are aware of the situation and are actively taking all necessary actions to address each concern,” Long Branch Director of Public Safety Alphonse Muolo said in an email on Monday.
Detective Sgt. Jeffrey Pilone confirmed Monday that a shooting did take place in the neighborhood but declined to comment further because it is an ongoing investigation.
Woolley also said that much of the neighborhood’s problems began when a new company took over the apartment building in October 2008.
“After these apartments were acquired by [Sea West Apartments LLC], the quality of the surrounding area deteriorated considerably, adversely affecting the quality of life in the neighborhood,” she said.
Woolley said that in order to improve the lighting on the corner of Second and Passey, the city must contact Jersey Central Power & Light Co., since they won’t take requests from private citizens.
She also explained why there is a need for stricter code enforcement.
“The area, or the building and the surrounding grounds, are not properly maintained,” Woolley said. “The deterioration of the building and grounds has impacted the value of the surrounding homes.
“We are asking [that] a code enforcer inspect this property and require that the owner make repairs in compliance with the code of Long Branch.”
Some of the problems Woolley cited are broken gutters, loose garbage around the premises, and window air conditioning units that are not compliant with the city code.
Woolley described a few of the other problems.
“We are constantly subjected to a barrage of obscene yelling coming from the apartments,” she said, also alleging that evidence of drug paraphernalia has been found.
A spokeswoman for Sea West Apartments, the complex management, declined to identify herself but said Monday that the allegations about criminal activity and deteriorating conditions at the complex are untrue.
Maxine Greenwald followed Woolley and also described what she said has happened to the neighborhood.
“Two years ago the ambiance of the neighborhood changed significantly,” she said. “We have been blessed with 14 grandchildren, and we are frightened to let them even walk the dog in the early evening.
“The quality of our life has changed; we are very much frightened for the security of our neighborhood.”
Greenwald also said that she worries the problems in the apartment complex will bring down the property value of some of the surrounding houses.
Also addressing council was Carol Hammer, who claims to be the neighborhood’s longest-term resident.
“I’m the longest resident of that street, and I always felt very safe there,” she said. “I no longer do, and the neighborhood is really in trouble.
“It is just a real problem when you see a neighborhood that you love so much changing.”
Councilman Michael Sirianni said that the concerns expressed would be looked into and taken seriously.
“I want to thank the concerned residents who came forward with this,” he said. “This is what we need; we appreciate this.
“Your presentation was great. Your concerns did not fall on deaf ears,” he added. “This matter will be looked into and we will be following up on it.”
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Neighbors ask for better lighting, police presence
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
For the second time this summer, a group of citizens has stepped forward with concerns about issues of safety and crime in Long Branch.
Three residents stood up during the public portion of the Aug. 24 City Council meeting representing their West End neighborhood and the problems they say they have experienced in recent years.
Hildred Woolley presented the council with a list of three recommendations aimed at improving conditions leading to what she said has been a rash of police activity in the neighborhood centering around the apartment building at 559 Second Ave. on the corner of Second Avenue and Passey Gardens.
Woolley’s recommendations include increased lighting in the area, stricter code enforcement by the city, and an increased police presence.
“We, the residents of this neighborhood, want the city of Long Branch to help and support us in returning this area to a safe community,” she said. “We request that the city address these issues.
“We believe adequate street lighting and more police presence will help turn away criminal activity.”
Woolley cited numerous recent incidents that allegedly occurred around the apartment complex, including an Aug. 21 shooting, tires stolen from a parked car, a man loitering in the early morning in the apartment laundry room, occupied cars parked in different driveways, and one neighbor being followed home.
Woolley also gave statistics on the number of police calls made from the apartment complex, claiming that between December 2002 and October 2008 there were 76 calls made to the police. In contrast, she said that between January 2009 and August 2010 there were 66 calls made to the police.
“We are aware of the situation and are actively taking all necessary actions to address each concern,” Long Branch Director of Public Safety Alphonse Muolo said in an email on Monday.
Detective Sgt. Jeffrey Pilone confirmed Monday that a shooting did take place in the neighborhood but declined to comment further because it is an ongoing investigation.
Woolley also said that much of the neighborhood’s problems began when a new company took over the apartment building in October 2008.
“After these apartments were acquired by [Sea West Apartments LLC], the quality of the surrounding area deteriorated considerably, adversely affecting the quality of life in the neighborhood,” she said.
Woolley said that in order to improve the lighting on the corner of Second and Passey, the city must contact Jersey Central Power & Light Co., since they won’t take requests from private citizens.
She also explained why there is a need for stricter code enforcement.
“The area, or the building and the surrounding grounds, are not properly maintained,” Woolley said. “The deterioration of the building and grounds has impacted the value of the surrounding homes.
“We are asking [that] a code enforcer inspect this property and require that the owner make repairs in compliance with the code of Long Branch.”
Some of the problems Woolley cited are broken gutters, loose garbage around the premises, and window air conditioning units that are not compliant with the city code.
Woolley described a few of the other problems.
“We are constantly subjected to a barrage of obscene yelling coming from the apartments,” she said, also alleging that evidence of drug paraphernalia has been found.
A spokeswoman for Sea West Apartments, the complex management, declined to identify herself but said Monday that the allegations about criminal activity and deteriorating conditions at the complex are untrue.
Maxine Greenwald followed Woolley and also described what she said has happened to the neighborhood.
“Two years ago the ambiance of the neighborhood changed significantly,” she said. “We have been blessed with 14 grandchildren, and we are frightened to let them even walk the dog in the early evening.
“The quality of our life has changed; we are very much frightened for the security of our neighborhood.”
Greenwald also said that she worries the problems in the apartment complex will bring down the property value of some of the surrounding houses.
Also addressing council was Carol Hammer, who claims to be the neighborhood’s longest-term resident.
“I’m the longest resident of that street, and I always felt very safe there,” she said. “I no longer do, and the neighborhood is really in trouble.
“It is just a real problem when you see a neighborhood that you love so much changing.”
Councilman Michael Sirianni said that the concerns expressed would be looked into and taken seriously.
“I want to thank the concerned residents who came forward with this,” he said. “This is what we need; we appreciate this.
“Your presentation was great. Your concerns did not fall on deaf ears,” he added. “This matter will be looked into and we will be following up on it.”
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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L.B. approves pier management team
L.B. approves pier management team
Federal funds will pay for most of $200K contract
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Taking another step toward the final design of the pier and ferry, the City Council approved a nearly $200,000 contract for a pier project management team.
The contract was awarded to Skanska USA Building for $198,954 with a 5-0 vote on the resolution during the Aug. 25 council meeting.
Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. explained what the contract to Skanska includes.
“It’s for construction project management services in conjunction with the pier design,” he said. “This is for a firm to analyze the design to see if it’s buildable and what the cost will be.”
According to the contract, the city will pay close to $40,000 for the services, with the remaining funds coming from a federal transportation grant.
In 2009 the city approved McLaren Engineering to be the lead design team, and according to the resolution, Skanska will oversee the progress of the pier.
Woolley also explained the process the city went through to award the contract to Skanska.
“It was competitive procurement. We sent out notices, and I think we had 31 companies pick up the notice,” he said. “Thirteen replied, and we narrowed it down to three and selected Skanska.”
One resident said she is worried that the scope of the pier and ferry project might include the use of eminent domain by the city.
“Will there be properties that are not already in the redevelopment zone or that are in the redevelopment zone that will be necessary for that pier and that might be taken by eminent domain?” Michelle Bobrow asked.
Mayor Adam Schneider said the city may have to expand the boundaries for the redevelopment zones into the ocean, but they will not use eminent domain.
“We are going to move a few fish around,” Councilman Michael Sirianni quipped.
“I just saw a stingray. Will you please get rid of it?” Bobrow responded.
Long Branch resident Howard “Pudgy” Cooper questioned whether the money spent for the contract could have been better used elsewhere.
“Although I’m old and I grew up in this town with the pier, I think in these days and times perhaps the $40,000 might be put to a better use,” he said. “I believe in the infinite wisdom of this council, but I encourage them to vote no on this resolution.”
Councilwoman Joy Bastelli gave her assessment on where the city stands with the pier and ferry project.
“We have a long road ahead and we are making progress, and at this point I think we are doing well,” she said.
During a June meeting it was estimated that the total project would cost $91.5 million, of which $6.5 million had been secured, and officials said they are confident another $53 million could be secured from noncompetitive grant opportunities.
A fire destroyed the Long Branch pier in 1987, and since that time the city has acquired redevelopment rights and plans to rebuild the pier and other amenities, including retail, restaurants, an amphitheater and a children’s play area along the oceanfront.
The pier project is divided into three components:
The core pier, which will be the main structure, will cost approximately $36.3 million. Plans call for the pier to extend 900 feet from the boardwalk into the Atlantic Ocean.
The high-speed ferry terminal and docking facility, slated to cost $20.2 million, would provide a direct route from the Long Branch region to lower Manhattan at a travel time of 40 minutes. The pier would contain a docking system as well as the ticketing and waiting areas required for the ferry operation.
The final component is the amenity uses, at an estimated cost of $32.5 million, which include retail, restaurants, event space, a public winter garden, outdoor amphitheater, entertainment space, fishing area and a children’s play area.
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Federal funds will pay for most of $200K contract
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — Taking another step toward the final design of the pier and ferry, the City Council approved a nearly $200,000 contract for a pier project management team.
The contract was awarded to Skanska USA Building for $198,954 with a 5-0 vote on the resolution during the Aug. 25 council meeting.
Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. explained what the contract to Skanska includes.
“It’s for construction project management services in conjunction with the pier design,” he said. “This is for a firm to analyze the design to see if it’s buildable and what the cost will be.”
According to the contract, the city will pay close to $40,000 for the services, with the remaining funds coming from a federal transportation grant.
In 2009 the city approved McLaren Engineering to be the lead design team, and according to the resolution, Skanska will oversee the progress of the pier.
Woolley also explained the process the city went through to award the contract to Skanska.
“It was competitive procurement. We sent out notices, and I think we had 31 companies pick up the notice,” he said. “Thirteen replied, and we narrowed it down to three and selected Skanska.”
One resident said she is worried that the scope of the pier and ferry project might include the use of eminent domain by the city.
“Will there be properties that are not already in the redevelopment zone or that are in the redevelopment zone that will be necessary for that pier and that might be taken by eminent domain?” Michelle Bobrow asked.
Mayor Adam Schneider said the city may have to expand the boundaries for the redevelopment zones into the ocean, but they will not use eminent domain.
“We are going to move a few fish around,” Councilman Michael Sirianni quipped.
“I just saw a stingray. Will you please get rid of it?” Bobrow responded.
Long Branch resident Howard “Pudgy” Cooper questioned whether the money spent for the contract could have been better used elsewhere.
“Although I’m old and I grew up in this town with the pier, I think in these days and times perhaps the $40,000 might be put to a better use,” he said. “I believe in the infinite wisdom of this council, but I encourage them to vote no on this resolution.”
Councilwoman Joy Bastelli gave her assessment on where the city stands with the pier and ferry project.
“We have a long road ahead and we are making progress, and at this point I think we are doing well,” she said.
During a June meeting it was estimated that the total project would cost $91.5 million, of which $6.5 million had been secured, and officials said they are confident another $53 million could be secured from noncompetitive grant opportunities.
A fire destroyed the Long Branch pier in 1987, and since that time the city has acquired redevelopment rights and plans to rebuild the pier and other amenities, including retail, restaurants, an amphitheater and a children’s play area along the oceanfront.
The pier project is divided into three components:
The core pier, which will be the main structure, will cost approximately $36.3 million. Plans call for the pier to extend 900 feet from the boardwalk into the Atlantic Ocean.
The high-speed ferry terminal and docking facility, slated to cost $20.2 million, would provide a direct route from the Long Branch region to lower Manhattan at a travel time of 40 minutes. The pier would contain a docking system as well as the ticketing and waiting areas required for the ferry operation.
The final component is the amenity uses, at an estimated cost of $32.5 million, which include retail, restaurants, event space, a public winter garden, outdoor amphitheater, entertainment space, fishing area and a children’s play area.
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Monday, November 22, 2010
Grant will bring fire dept. to the future
Grant will bring fire dept. to the future
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Long Branch officials are hoping that a $67,500 federal grant will help bring the city’s Fire Department into a new age.
The grant, along with a $7,500 matching appropriation, was approved with two resolutions during the Aug. 10 City Council meeting.
Long Branch Fire Chief Sebastian Tomaine said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grant would go toward a new computer system for the department.
“We applied 18 months ago for a grant for [a] computerized [system] within the fire department,” he said. “Seventy-five hundred dollars can get you $75,000 worth of computer equipment. I don’t think that’s a bad deal.”
Tomaine said the goal is to bring the department into the future to better serve residents.
“We are putting laptop computers in all the fire apparatuses and the fire chief cars,” he said. “It brings us light years into the future as far as the information we have before we even get to the fire scene,” he said. “It gives you almost every piece of information you need within those few minutes to get to the fire.”
It will also make the firefighters safer in case there is something in a fire that may be hazardous to them. It informs them how many occupants are in the structure, any pets, the closest fire hydrant, etc., he added.
“It tells you everything imaginable, and you can’t beat that.”
Tomaine said the process of going out to bid and implementing the system is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
“We are totally excited about this,” he said. “Of course it is going to take us a few months to implement information and to go out for bid for the computers.”
Tomaine said he doesn’t expect more than a few local municipalities to have the technology that his department will soon have, and that the system could also be used in non-emergency situations, such as code enforcement.
It will also be used to help coordinate information with both the police department and emergency medical services.
Tomaine said that the average response time is three to five minutes, and in that time with the new computers, the firefighters will be better equipped.
“The information that they’ll get while they’re en route is absolutely essential,” he said. “If you need to find an address, you just look it up and it gives you all the information.”
Tomaine said that the paid firefighters would have in-service training days, while the volunteers will take a class to learn how to use the computer system.
“It is going to take a lot of effort to input all the information,” he said. “It’s not going to take very long; it is a very simplistic system.”
Contact Kenny Walter at
Kwalter@gmnews.com.
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BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Long Branch officials are hoping that a $67,500 federal grant will help bring the city’s Fire Department into a new age.
The grant, along with a $7,500 matching appropriation, was approved with two resolutions during the Aug. 10 City Council meeting.
Long Branch Fire Chief Sebastian Tomaine said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grant would go toward a new computer system for the department.
“We applied 18 months ago for a grant for [a] computerized [system] within the fire department,” he said. “Seventy-five hundred dollars can get you $75,000 worth of computer equipment. I don’t think that’s a bad deal.”
Tomaine said the goal is to bring the department into the future to better serve residents.
“We are putting laptop computers in all the fire apparatuses and the fire chief cars,” he said. “It brings us light years into the future as far as the information we have before we even get to the fire scene,” he said. “It gives you almost every piece of information you need within those few minutes to get to the fire.”
It will also make the firefighters safer in case there is something in a fire that may be hazardous to them. It informs them how many occupants are in the structure, any pets, the closest fire hydrant, etc., he added.
“It tells you everything imaginable, and you can’t beat that.”
Tomaine said the process of going out to bid and implementing the system is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
“We are totally excited about this,” he said. “Of course it is going to take us a few months to implement information and to go out for bid for the computers.”
Tomaine said he doesn’t expect more than a few local municipalities to have the technology that his department will soon have, and that the system could also be used in non-emergency situations, such as code enforcement.
It will also be used to help coordinate information with both the police department and emergency medical services.
Tomaine said that the average response time is three to five minutes, and in that time with the new computers, the firefighters will be better equipped.
“The information that they’ll get while they’re en route is absolutely essential,” he said. “If you need to find an address, you just look it up and it gives you all the information.”
Tomaine said that the paid firefighters would have in-service training days, while the volunteers will take a class to learn how to use the computer system.
“It is going to take a lot of effort to input all the information,” he said. “It’s not going to take very long; it is a very simplistic system.”
Contact Kenny Walter at
Kwalter@gmnews.com.
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City hopes for state $$ for oceanfront upgrades
City hopes for state $$ for oceanfront upgrades
Council approves application for $800K in Green Acres funds
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Despite nearly missing the deadline, Long Branch officials are hopeful that their application for a grant will warrantmore than $800,000 in state funds for improvements to the oceanfront.
The Long Branch City Council during its Aug. 10 meeting unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an application for Green Acres funds that will go toward replacing railings on the boardwalk and improving the roadway on Ocean Avenue.
The project would include repaving Ocean Avenue between Bath and Brighton avenues and replacement of the railings on the boardwalk between Morris and Brighton avenues.
“We have some aluminum railing there that is OK, but to match the new railing we need to replace all of it,” said Jacob Jones, director of community and economic development.
Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. explained some of the other work that the money would go toward if the grant application is successful.
“Then we would need to shore up the roadway at a couple of spots because there is erosion under the boardwalk,” he said.
Jones explained during the Aug. 11 public hearing that the city nearly missed the deadline on the application.
“I don’t want to burst anybody’s bubble here, but I found out there was an application due July 15,” he said. “The city clerk never got the notice [from the state].
“There is a lot to this application, and you know what happens when you rush,” he added. “We had to rush this in, and fortunately the people of Trenton accepted our application.
“Once you rush an application, you are at a disadvantage. Funds are very competitive in the state these days.”
Jones said that if the application is approved, the state Green Acres program would provide a grant equal to 75 percent of the project cost and a loan for the 25 percent of the cost the city would be responsible for.
He said the project is slated to cost $842,400, which would leave the city on the hook for $210,600.
He also said he inflated the estimate by 20 percent to leave them some wiggle room if there is a cost overrun.
Jones said the current plan is to bond for the money, but it is possible that the city could receive federal grant money, such as a Community Development Block Grant, to pay for some of the costs.
City Attorney James Aaron explained the financial part of the Green Acres project.
“The city will bond for the total amount of the project,” he said, “through bond anticipation notes.
“As soon as the project is completed, Jake [Jones] will submit a series of forms back to Green Acres.
“Green Acres will then throw the bulk of the money back to the city,” he added. “We’ve always been able to get 100 percent of what Green Acres has promised.”
Aaron also said that the city would look toward using beach revenues to fund some of the costs for the project.
“I also will take a look at whether or not you can use beach revenues to fund part of the project for the city’s cost,” he said. “It is certainly directly related to the operation of the beachfront; you can’t get people to the beach unless you can get them across the boardwalk.”
Jones said he expects the process of starting the project to go rather quickly, should the city receive the grant money.
“If we are funded, we already have cost estimates, so it would just be a matter of getting an engineer to write up the complete bid packages, to get the quotes out, and then we can get the award,” he said.
Jones said that he expects to get word on the grant sometime this fall and if the application is rejected, the city will move forward for next year’s grant.
“If we do not get funding, I will have the same application submitted very early next year,” he said. “If we are awarded, I see a groundbreaking by early spring.”
Jones explained that the Green Acres programmight approve the application because of the need for the work.
“It will be a benefit for all of those who have seen the damage that has been done out there,” he said. “We really want to make the boardwalk beautiful.
“If they give it legitimate consideration, the lateness of the documents should not hurt,” he added.
“We are talking about replacing the railings on the boardwalk that are actually dangerous. I think they’ll get the message that this is very urgent.”
Jones said the city has had a winning history in dealing with Green Acres.
“Every application I’ve sent to Green Acres has been funded,” he said. “However, this one was submitted without certain documents and information, and it may hurt the overall evaluation.”
During the public hearing, which included more than 20 residents, Dennis Sherman, a member of the Save Ocean Avenue Committee, which has been pushing for repairs to the boardwalk and other improvements, presented Jones with a petition supporting the application.
Sherman explained the importance of the grant.
“We know during these difficult economic times, this grant is so important because the rails and the roadway are a safety concern,” he said.
“This grant would be the most wonderful funding that Green Acres could do,” he added. “This is a park that people use for free; it is unique, and it’s a jewel.”
Jones said he will submit a summary of the public hearing, as well as photos and petitions supporting the project, to the Green Acres program.
Contact Kenny Walter at
Kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Council approves application for $800K in Green Acres funds
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Despite nearly missing the deadline, Long Branch officials are hopeful that their application for a grant will warrantmore than $800,000 in state funds for improvements to the oceanfront.
The Long Branch City Council during its Aug. 10 meeting unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an application for Green Acres funds that will go toward replacing railings on the boardwalk and improving the roadway on Ocean Avenue.
The project would include repaving Ocean Avenue between Bath and Brighton avenues and replacement of the railings on the boardwalk between Morris and Brighton avenues.
“We have some aluminum railing there that is OK, but to match the new railing we need to replace all of it,” said Jacob Jones, director of community and economic development.
Business Administrator Howard Woolley Jr. explained some of the other work that the money would go toward if the grant application is successful.
“Then we would need to shore up the roadway at a couple of spots because there is erosion under the boardwalk,” he said.
Jones explained during the Aug. 11 public hearing that the city nearly missed the deadline on the application.
“I don’t want to burst anybody’s bubble here, but I found out there was an application due July 15,” he said. “The city clerk never got the notice [from the state].
“There is a lot to this application, and you know what happens when you rush,” he added. “We had to rush this in, and fortunately the people of Trenton accepted our application.
“Once you rush an application, you are at a disadvantage. Funds are very competitive in the state these days.”
Jones said that if the application is approved, the state Green Acres program would provide a grant equal to 75 percent of the project cost and a loan for the 25 percent of the cost the city would be responsible for.
He said the project is slated to cost $842,400, which would leave the city on the hook for $210,600.
He also said he inflated the estimate by 20 percent to leave them some wiggle room if there is a cost overrun.
Jones said the current plan is to bond for the money, but it is possible that the city could receive federal grant money, such as a Community Development Block Grant, to pay for some of the costs.
City Attorney James Aaron explained the financial part of the Green Acres project.
“The city will bond for the total amount of the project,” he said, “through bond anticipation notes.
“As soon as the project is completed, Jake [Jones] will submit a series of forms back to Green Acres.
“Green Acres will then throw the bulk of the money back to the city,” he added. “We’ve always been able to get 100 percent of what Green Acres has promised.”
Aaron also said that the city would look toward using beach revenues to fund some of the costs for the project.
“I also will take a look at whether or not you can use beach revenues to fund part of the project for the city’s cost,” he said. “It is certainly directly related to the operation of the beachfront; you can’t get people to the beach unless you can get them across the boardwalk.”
Jones said he expects the process of starting the project to go rather quickly, should the city receive the grant money.
“If we are funded, we already have cost estimates, so it would just be a matter of getting an engineer to write up the complete bid packages, to get the quotes out, and then we can get the award,” he said.
Jones said that he expects to get word on the grant sometime this fall and if the application is rejected, the city will move forward for next year’s grant.
“If we do not get funding, I will have the same application submitted very early next year,” he said. “If we are awarded, I see a groundbreaking by early spring.”
Jones explained that the Green Acres programmight approve the application because of the need for the work.
“It will be a benefit for all of those who have seen the damage that has been done out there,” he said. “We really want to make the boardwalk beautiful.
“If they give it legitimate consideration, the lateness of the documents should not hurt,” he added.
“We are talking about replacing the railings on the boardwalk that are actually dangerous. I think they’ll get the message that this is very urgent.”
Jones said the city has had a winning history in dealing with Green Acres.
“Every application I’ve sent to Green Acres has been funded,” he said. “However, this one was submitted without certain documents and information, and it may hurt the overall evaluation.”
During the public hearing, which included more than 20 residents, Dennis Sherman, a member of the Save Ocean Avenue Committee, which has been pushing for repairs to the boardwalk and other improvements, presented Jones with a petition supporting the application.
Sherman explained the importance of the grant.
“We know during these difficult economic times, this grant is so important because the rails and the roadway are a safety concern,” he said.
“This grant would be the most wonderful funding that Green Acres could do,” he added. “This is a park that people use for free; it is unique, and it’s a jewel.”
Jones said he will submit a summary of the public hearing, as well as photos and petitions supporting the project, to the Green Acres program.
Contact Kenny Walter at
Kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Complaint: Redevelopment violates civil rights
Attorney seeks to amend complaint in Broadway Gateway suit
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — The city violated the civil rights of lower Broadway property owners by declaring their properties blighted but failing to go forward with redevelopment plans, according to an amended complaint that will be heard in state Superior Court later this month.
Princeton-based attorney William Potter, of Potter & Dickson, filed the amended complaint on behalf of plaintiffs Kevin and Adele Fister, principals in Fuschia Triangle Corp. and Coach Corp., located in the Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone, alleging that the city’s 1996 redevelopment plan has violated their civil rights.
“The freedom to acquire, own, develop, redevelop and freely to sell or transfer private property is a fundamental civil right guaranteed by the New Jersey Constitution, the United States Constitution, and laws enacted pursuant thereto, including but not limited to the United States Civil Rights Act,” the complaint states.
“As a result of holding the plaintiff’s properties in a blighted area for a substantial period of time and without any intention on the part of the defendants to acquire, purchase or condemn through eminent domain the subject properties, the plaintiffs are deprived of their civil and constitutional rights.”
The motion to amend the complaint, filed July 29, has a tentative court date of Aug. 23.
In April 2009, Potter submitted his original complaint against the city and the City Council on behalf of the Fisters, seeking damages and to overturn the city’s unconstitutional designation of private property as blighted.
The complaint was followed by a request for an enlargement of time that would expand the challenge window from 45 days to 13 years.
The two sides met in Superior Court on the enlargement issue in October, where Potter argued that his clients were not truly informed of the ramifications of being in the zone.
In his July 26, 2009, motion for enlargement, Potter cited criteria the courts have used to grant enlargements, including substantial and novel constitutional questions and an important public, rather than a private, interest that requires adjudication or clarification as exceptions the courts have used for granting enlargement.
Judge Lawrence Lawson ruled against allowing the enlargement and in favor of the city in his November decision.
“It appears that plaintiffs, after over a decade of owning property in the city, have changed their position on the city’s redevelopment plan. Such a change of heart does not justify this court’s review of a designation of property over 13 years old,” Lawson wrote.
“As early as January 1996 and at the latest May 1996, plaintiffs knew that the Triangle had been deemed ‘an area in need of redevelopment,’ ” Lawson’s Nov. 30 decision states. “The court cannot agree with plaintiffs that the circumstances of this case warrant the enlargement of time for the plaintiffs to bring an action in lieu of prerogative writs.”
Potter also requested that another judge hear the arguments for an enlargement of time in a July 2 reconsideration brief that Lawson rejected in November.
In his July 2 letter accompanying the reconsideration brief, Potter requested that Superior Court Judge Dennis O’Brien hear the arguments that were previously denied.
Potter’s decision to pursue the case comes after a late April Appellate Court decision that overturned the redevelopment and zoning ordinances in Broadway Arts, the neighboring redevelopment zone.
“This motion is based on two court decisions decided subsequent to the order of dismissal that have addressed the same or similar issues,” Potter wrote in the brief.
In arguing for the motion to amend, Potter said the Appellate Division reversed a similar ruling by the same lower court in the Broadway Arts zone.
The Appellate Division ruled that the zoning ordinances in the Broadway Arts section of the city were invalid after three property owners in the zone challenged the city in court.
Potter explained that the city has not begun eminent domain proceedings on the Broadway Gateway properties but had done so in the case of properties in the Broadway Arts district.
He criticized the Superior Court ruling against allowing an extension of the time frame for challenging the city’s 1996 redevelopment plan.
“The court did not address the potential impact upon the Triangle plaintiffs if denied, nor upon the city of Long Branch defendants if enlargement was granted,” he added. “This alone presents a basis for reconsideration.”
The Broadway-Gateway redevelopment zone is made up of commercial properties, with the Fuschia Triangle comprising five contiguous lots bounded by North and South Broadway, Long Branch Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. The city designated the site blighted and “in area in need of redevelopment” in 1996.
In the lawsuit filed against the city on April 8, Potter argued that the Fisters have exhaustively pursued alternative courses of action and failed to gain the city’s approval of any plans to develop the Fuschia Triangle, one of the city’s six redevelopment zones.
The lawsuit sought to overturn the blight designation of the Fuschia Triangle and asked the court for compensatory and punitive damages for the defacto taking of the Fuschia Triangle, resulting from the city’s blight designation and its failure to condemn and take the property.
Broadway-Gateway is one of six redevelopment zones in the city. Other zones are Hotel Campus, Broadway Arts, Beachfront North, Beachfront South and Pier Village.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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Attorney seeks to amend complaint in Broadway Gateway suit
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — The city violated the civil rights of lower Broadway property owners by declaring their properties blighted but failing to go forward with redevelopment plans, according to an amended complaint that will be heard in state Superior Court later this month.
Princeton-based attorney William Potter, of Potter & Dickson, filed the amended complaint on behalf of plaintiffs Kevin and Adele Fister, principals in Fuschia Triangle Corp. and Coach Corp., located in the Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone, alleging that the city’s 1996 redevelopment plan has violated their civil rights.
“The freedom to acquire, own, develop, redevelop and freely to sell or transfer private property is a fundamental civil right guaranteed by the New Jersey Constitution, the United States Constitution, and laws enacted pursuant thereto, including but not limited to the United States Civil Rights Act,” the complaint states.
“As a result of holding the plaintiff’s properties in a blighted area for a substantial period of time and without any intention on the part of the defendants to acquire, purchase or condemn through eminent domain the subject properties, the plaintiffs are deprived of their civil and constitutional rights.”
The motion to amend the complaint, filed July 29, has a tentative court date of Aug. 23.
In April 2009, Potter submitted his original complaint against the city and the City Council on behalf of the Fisters, seeking damages and to overturn the city’s unconstitutional designation of private property as blighted.
The complaint was followed by a request for an enlargement of time that would expand the challenge window from 45 days to 13 years.
The two sides met in Superior Court on the enlargement issue in October, where Potter argued that his clients were not truly informed of the ramifications of being in the zone.
In his July 26, 2009, motion for enlargement, Potter cited criteria the courts have used to grant enlargements, including substantial and novel constitutional questions and an important public, rather than a private, interest that requires adjudication or clarification as exceptions the courts have used for granting enlargement.
Judge Lawrence Lawson ruled against allowing the enlargement and in favor of the city in his November decision.
“It appears that plaintiffs, after over a decade of owning property in the city, have changed their position on the city’s redevelopment plan. Such a change of heart does not justify this court’s review of a designation of property over 13 years old,” Lawson wrote.
“As early as January 1996 and at the latest May 1996, plaintiffs knew that the Triangle had been deemed ‘an area in need of redevelopment,’ ” Lawson’s Nov. 30 decision states. “The court cannot agree with plaintiffs that the circumstances of this case warrant the enlargement of time for the plaintiffs to bring an action in lieu of prerogative writs.”
Potter also requested that another judge hear the arguments for an enlargement of time in a July 2 reconsideration brief that Lawson rejected in November.
In his July 2 letter accompanying the reconsideration brief, Potter requested that Superior Court Judge Dennis O’Brien hear the arguments that were previously denied.
Potter’s decision to pursue the case comes after a late April Appellate Court decision that overturned the redevelopment and zoning ordinances in Broadway Arts, the neighboring redevelopment zone.
“This motion is based on two court decisions decided subsequent to the order of dismissal that have addressed the same or similar issues,” Potter wrote in the brief.
In arguing for the motion to amend, Potter said the Appellate Division reversed a similar ruling by the same lower court in the Broadway Arts zone.
The Appellate Division ruled that the zoning ordinances in the Broadway Arts section of the city were invalid after three property owners in the zone challenged the city in court.
Potter explained that the city has not begun eminent domain proceedings on the Broadway Gateway properties but had done so in the case of properties in the Broadway Arts district.
He criticized the Superior Court ruling against allowing an extension of the time frame for challenging the city’s 1996 redevelopment plan.
“The court did not address the potential impact upon the Triangle plaintiffs if denied, nor upon the city of Long Branch defendants if enlargement was granted,” he added. “This alone presents a basis for reconsideration.”
The Broadway-Gateway redevelopment zone is made up of commercial properties, with the Fuschia Triangle comprising five contiguous lots bounded by North and South Broadway, Long Branch Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. The city designated the site blighted and “in area in need of redevelopment” in 1996.
In the lawsuit filed against the city on April 8, Potter argued that the Fisters have exhaustively pursued alternative courses of action and failed to gain the city’s approval of any plans to develop the Fuschia Triangle, one of the city’s six redevelopment zones.
The lawsuit sought to overturn the blight designation of the Fuschia Triangle and asked the court for compensatory and punitive damages for the defacto taking of the Fuschia Triangle, resulting from the city’s blight designation and its failure to condemn and take the property.
Broadway-Gateway is one of six redevelopment zones in the city. Other zones are Hotel Campus, Broadway Arts, Beachfront North, Beachfront South and Pier Village.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
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