T.F. council mulls cutting time limit on comment
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — The Borough Council approved a resolution and introduced an ordinance aimed at shortening the time limit on public comment at council meetings.
In a move aimed at curtailing lengthy meetings, the council voted four to one to introduce an ordinance that would cut the time allowed for public comment from 10 minutes to five minutes per speaker. Councilwoman NancyAnn Fama voted against the introduction.
Later in the evening the council passed a resolution moving the executive session of the meeting from the end of the meeting to before the meeting. Councilman Gary Baldwin voted against the resolution.
Fama explained her opposition to adopting the five-minute time limit, stating that the council needs to do a better job of handling the public comments.
"I felt we need to do a better job of controlling public commentary that is superfluous," she said in an interview last week. "We have to keep the public commentary focused and on the issues.
"We need to do a better job as a council in trying to understand what the public's concern is," she added. "I think 10 minutes is a reasonable amount of time."
Fama said the council should exercise more control over what happens during the public portion of meetings.
"For the people that get up there and just make commentary and really don't have questions, those are the people I think we need to do a better job of keeping them in the time frame," Fama said.
"I felt we really just need to stick to the 10 minutes, which really wasn't being adhered to," she said.
Baldwin is not in favor of changing the structure of the meeting, but rather of making them run more efficiently.
"When we discussed whether or not we should change the format of the meeting to try to speed up meetings and get done quicker, it was my thought our problem isn't when we have the workshop or when we have executive session, our problem is the public taking advantage of us to some degree by coming up and trying to engage in long conversations," he said.
"Our meetings have been lengthened because we have some people that really enjoy bantering," he added. "We have allowed some of that to happen."
Baldwin said that moving the executive session really doesn't serve any purpose and will ultimately make it harder for some people to get to meetings.
"My real objection is I think that is an unfair imposition to put on people who have jobs and have to come.
"They have to come home, get something to eat, get their clothes changed and get there an hour earlier," he added.
"And what has been done?" he continued. "We haven't done a thing. We haven't shortened the meetings, we just asked people to show up earlier.
"We haven't saved any time. Yes, we can go home an hour earlier, but we came an hour early."
There was some discussion at previous meetings that
the council would dedicate one meeting a month to business and one meeting a month to a workshop session, but Baldwin said he would not support that idea.
"That doesn't serve any purpose," he said. "Our workshops aren't very long anyway, and if you open a public discussion, they are going to get real long.
"We don't have a problem with the workshop, we have a problem with the public discussion. So, I objected to changing the structure."
Baldwin also said his concern is not necessarily shortening the meeting, but rather conducting an efficient meeting.
"My interest is not in having short meetings, my interest is conducting a meeting that sufficiently airs the business of the day," he said. "I don't care how long it takes."
Fama, however, said that moving the executive session would help the council not to make rushed decisions.
"I think it's more effective because when you are walking into executive session at 11 o'clock at night after working all day, and having a three-, four-hour council meeting, we are only human, and people are tired," she said. "These are important issues that I think should be done first so we can all understand them with a clearer head."
Borough Clerk Karen Mount-Taylor has seen the meetings change during previous administrations and is confident that these changes will be for the better.
"I can see it working," she said last week.
The resolution would become effective on Jan. 1, while a public hearing and vote on the ordinance is scheduled for Dec. 1.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Grant will fund upgrades to Manahassett Park
Grant will fund upgrades to Manahassett Park
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — City officials announced last week that they have received additional funding from the state for improvements to the city's newest and largest park.
Chief Financial Officer Ronald Mehlhorn Sr. said at the Nov. 10 City Council workshop session that the city will receive about $1 million in Green Acres grant funds to construct a building at Manahassett Creek Park.
"The state had originally given us $1.2 million," he said. "Now they are going to give us $1 million more, and we are going to have to match the $1 million."
Mehlhorn said the state is most likely going to accept previous money spent by the city as its match for the additional funding.
"We actually did a bond ordinance for $2.6 million to complete that project," he said. "They will probably take that as our match.
"In reality, the million dollars that we already spent is fine in terms of our match," he added. "There is a 99.9 percent chance they will accept that."
The 20-plus-acre park was opened Aug. 19 and includes two soccer fields, two softball fields, two tennis courts, two basketball courts, a full baseball field and a football field.
Also included are a fitness trail and a putting green.
Business Administrator Howard H. Woolley explained what the money is going to be used for.
"The Green Acres grant is some additional funding," Woolley said. "The plan is a refreshment stand and bathrooms."
Woolley said the city had planned to put the building in but did not have the funding at the time.
"We planned for a building, but we never got it built," he said. "There will be some storage, some bathrooms in there and a refreshment stand."
Woolley said that if there is any money left over, the city may look to improve some other parks.
"We will use leftover money for whatever else might need to be done, or some improvements we'd like to make at some of the other parks," he said.
Woolley also described some proposed improvements to the park that the city will use existing funds for.
"There are a few things that we didn't quite foresee properly, but I think on a project of this size, that is inevitable," he said. "The contractor and the engineer stepped up and are doing a couple of things right now."
Woolley said the three main changes needed are: widening the pathway, moving the fences at the football field, and improving drainage on one of the roads.
"We looked at the path, and it is too narrow in some areas," he said, "so we can get all our vehicles that we need to work in the park in there.
"We asked the contractor to give us a price to widen it, and that is part of this," he added.
Moving the fencing, Woolley said, is necessary for safety reasons.
"The Pop Warner league came to us and said they were concerned," Woolley said. "Someone could be driven out of bounds; it could be a safety issue.
"Thankfully, we haven't had anybody hurt, and the season's over," he added. "We've been lucky, but we don't want to rely on luck."
Woolley said the plan is to make the fencing movable.
"They are only going to be put out when the games are on," he said.
Woolley also explained the drainage problems.
"We are doing some improvements to a dead-end street [where] water is retained," he said. "We have some runoff from the park. We basically have to build a roadway so it drains out."
Woolley said there are a few more issues with the park that the city plans to address, and that the reception to the park has been positive.
"On the whole, it's been really successful," he said.
He said the Pop Warner program is especially grateful for the park, since the program hasn't had a true home for a few years.
"That program didn't have a home field for four or five years," he said. "It's really great we've given them a place to play."
The city started planning the park in 2002 and broke ground in 2008. Precise Construction was awarded the $3.9 million contract in May 2008 after coming in as the lowest bidder. Plans for the park were designed by D.W. Smith Associates.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — City officials announced last week that they have received additional funding from the state for improvements to the city's newest and largest park.
Chief Financial Officer Ronald Mehlhorn Sr. said at the Nov. 10 City Council workshop session that the city will receive about $1 million in Green Acres grant funds to construct a building at Manahassett Creek Park.
"The state had originally given us $1.2 million," he said. "Now they are going to give us $1 million more, and we are going to have to match the $1 million."
Mehlhorn said the state is most likely going to accept previous money spent by the city as its match for the additional funding.
"We actually did a bond ordinance for $2.6 million to complete that project," he said. "They will probably take that as our match.
"In reality, the million dollars that we already spent is fine in terms of our match," he added. "There is a 99.9 percent chance they will accept that."
The 20-plus-acre park was opened Aug. 19 and includes two soccer fields, two softball fields, two tennis courts, two basketball courts, a full baseball field and a football field.
Also included are a fitness trail and a putting green.
Business Administrator Howard H. Woolley explained what the money is going to be used for.
"The Green Acres grant is some additional funding," Woolley said. "The plan is a refreshment stand and bathrooms."
Woolley said the city had planned to put the building in but did not have the funding at the time.
"We planned for a building, but we never got it built," he said. "There will be some storage, some bathrooms in there and a refreshment stand."
Woolley said that if there is any money left over, the city may look to improve some other parks.
"We will use leftover money for whatever else might need to be done, or some improvements we'd like to make at some of the other parks," he said.
Woolley also described some proposed improvements to the park that the city will use existing funds for.
"There are a few things that we didn't quite foresee properly, but I think on a project of this size, that is inevitable," he said. "The contractor and the engineer stepped up and are doing a couple of things right now."
Woolley said the three main changes needed are: widening the pathway, moving the fences at the football field, and improving drainage on one of the roads.
"We looked at the path, and it is too narrow in some areas," he said, "so we can get all our vehicles that we need to work in the park in there.
"We asked the contractor to give us a price to widen it, and that is part of this," he added.
Moving the fencing, Woolley said, is necessary for safety reasons.
"The Pop Warner league came to us and said they were concerned," Woolley said. "Someone could be driven out of bounds; it could be a safety issue.
"Thankfully, we haven't had anybody hurt, and the season's over," he added. "We've been lucky, but we don't want to rely on luck."
Woolley said the plan is to make the fencing movable.
"They are only going to be put out when the games are on," he said.
Woolley also explained the drainage problems.
"We are doing some improvements to a dead-end street [where] water is retained," he said. "We have some runoff from the park. We basically have to build a roadway so it drains out."
Woolley said there are a few more issues with the park that the city plans to address, and that the reception to the park has been positive.
"On the whole, it's been really successful," he said.
He said the Pop Warner program is especially grateful for the park, since the program hasn't had a true home for a few years.
"That program didn't have a home field for four or five years," he said. "It's really great we've given them a place to play."
The city started planning the park in 2002 and broke ground in 2008. Precise Construction was awarded the $3.9 million contract in May 2008 after coming in as the lowest bidder. Plans for the park were designed by D.W. Smith Associates.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Long Branch seeks urban center status
Long Branch seeks urban center status
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Long Branch is pursuing designation by the state as an urban center, a classification that would qualify the city for state funds that could be used toward open space, infrastructure improvements and development.
A self-assessment of the city is under way as part of the qualifying process for urban center designation by the state's Office of Smart Growth, Long Branch Zoning Officer Michele Bernich said at the City Council workshop session Nov. 10.
Bernich said the council could pass a resolution approving the self-assessment report Nov. 24 and the report would then be given to the Office of Smart Growth.
Bernich, accompanied by engineer David Maski, of CMX, Manalapan, presented the council with the 100-plus-page report at the workshop meeting.
"It is the first step of several in the process," Maski said. "It is an inventory by the city of existing conditions in terms of demographics and resources.
"It is a snapshot of where the city stands," he added. "It is also a narrative of all the activities and initiatives the city has taken up over the last 10 to 15 years.
"It is a comparison of those initiatives with the state plan and how the city is consistent with those goals and policies of the state plan," he continued.
Maski said he expects Long Branch to receive full plan endorsement from the state toward the end of 2010.
Maski described some of the goals of the assessment, which include moving up to an urban center designation, from the city's current status as a regional center.
"The goal of this process is it does put you into play for some priorities from the state in terms of permitting and funding," he said. "It is the process where you can extend your center designation.
"In the process, the city has requested to move up a level from regional center to urban center," he added.
Bernich, in an interview last week, said that the designations expire in 10-year increments.
"Before you expire, you have to reapply," she said. "This plan endorsement process is us applying to be a center designation again.
"Instead of us asking for a regional designation, we are looking to up it another notch as an urban center," she added. "We feel that is what Long Branch really is, and we will be prioritized to get more funding and permits."
Bernich explained what moving up to an urban center would mean for the city's finances.
"There are different types of funding and grants," she said. "It will enhance us and give us better ability for the grants and projects."
Maski said that if there were two equal applications for funding, then the plan-endorsed application would have a higher priority.
Bernich explained that obtaining grants and programs is more competitive as a regional center than as an urban center because there are more designated regional centers.
An executive summary on the website of the New Jersey State Planning Commission defines what urban center designation means.
"These urban centers offer the most diverse mix of industry, commerce, residences and cultural facilities of any central place," the summary states. "They are repositories of large infrastructure systems, industrial jobs, corporate headquarters, medical and research services, universities, government offices, convention centers, museums and other assets.
"They are also home to a large pool of skilled and presently unskilled labor that will, with appropriate investment, become among the state's most valuable human resource assets," it continues.
The summary also describes what a regional designation means.
"They often serve as major employment centers and offer regional services, such as higher education, health and arts/entertainment," the summary states. "In rural areas, they may be population centers and county seats, with small business districts serving residents."
A spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs explained the advantages of an urban center.
"Urban centers are compact forms of development that when compared to sprawl development, consume less land, deplete fewer natural resources, are usually less expensive in terms of infrastructure investment
and are more efficient with respect to the delivery of public services," Lisa Ryan wrote in an email. "These urban centers offer the most diverse mix of industry, commerce, residences and cultural facilities of any central places in the state."
Ryan went on to say that it is the state's preference to use incentives to promote development in these centers as opposed to allowing sprawl development into open space.
"The state promotes and accommodates growth in centers, rather than open spaces and farmlands and woodlands," she said. "As a result, an area identified as a center can be eligible for economic growth incentives and priority grant placements."
Maski described the process for attaining urban center status after the council adopts the self-assessment.
"The next step after it is adopted, it will move on to the state, and the next major thing they come up with is they will ask to see the master plan and make an assessment of how much more work the city will have to do to gain full plan compliance," he said. "They then give you what is called an action plan, which is an itemized list of things to do."
One of the items the state may ask is for Long Branch to go through a visioning process, for which the city is requesting a waiver.
"One of their comments could be now you have to do a visioning process," Bernich said. "We feel we have already done that."
The self-assessment is a detailed look at the city, including the city's history of development as well as the city's current demographics.
A large portion of the assessment is an analysis comparing Long Branch to the rest of Monmouth County.
Long Branch had a population of just over 31,000 in 2000 and is projected to have grown to over 40,000 in 2009.
The assessment also shows that the city is more diverse than both the county and the state, with a higher level of blacks, Latinos and other populations.
The average city resident is also younger than both the county and state average.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Long Branch is pursuing designation by the state as an urban center, a classification that would qualify the city for state funds that could be used toward open space, infrastructure improvements and development.
A self-assessment of the city is under way as part of the qualifying process for urban center designation by the state's Office of Smart Growth, Long Branch Zoning Officer Michele Bernich said at the City Council workshop session Nov. 10.
Bernich said the council could pass a resolution approving the self-assessment report Nov. 24 and the report would then be given to the Office of Smart Growth.
Bernich, accompanied by engineer David Maski, of CMX, Manalapan, presented the council with the 100-plus-page report at the workshop meeting.
"It is the first step of several in the process," Maski said. "It is an inventory by the city of existing conditions in terms of demographics and resources.
"It is a snapshot of where the city stands," he added. "It is also a narrative of all the activities and initiatives the city has taken up over the last 10 to 15 years.
"It is a comparison of those initiatives with the state plan and how the city is consistent with those goals and policies of the state plan," he continued.
Maski said he expects Long Branch to receive full plan endorsement from the state toward the end of 2010.
Maski described some of the goals of the assessment, which include moving up to an urban center designation, from the city's current status as a regional center.
"The goal of this process is it does put you into play for some priorities from the state in terms of permitting and funding," he said. "It is the process where you can extend your center designation.
"In the process, the city has requested to move up a level from regional center to urban center," he added.
Bernich, in an interview last week, said that the designations expire in 10-year increments.
"Before you expire, you have to reapply," she said. "This plan endorsement process is us applying to be a center designation again.
"Instead of us asking for a regional designation, we are looking to up it another notch as an urban center," she added. "We feel that is what Long Branch really is, and we will be prioritized to get more funding and permits."
Bernich explained what moving up to an urban center would mean for the city's finances.
"There are different types of funding and grants," she said. "It will enhance us and give us better ability for the grants and projects."
Maski said that if there were two equal applications for funding, then the plan-endorsed application would have a higher priority.
Bernich explained that obtaining grants and programs is more competitive as a regional center than as an urban center because there are more designated regional centers.
An executive summary on the website of the New Jersey State Planning Commission defines what urban center designation means.
"These urban centers offer the most diverse mix of industry, commerce, residences and cultural facilities of any central place," the summary states. "They are repositories of large infrastructure systems, industrial jobs, corporate headquarters, medical and research services, universities, government offices, convention centers, museums and other assets.
"They are also home to a large pool of skilled and presently unskilled labor that will, with appropriate investment, become among the state's most valuable human resource assets," it continues.
The summary also describes what a regional designation means.
"They often serve as major employment centers and offer regional services, such as higher education, health and arts/entertainment," the summary states. "In rural areas, they may be population centers and county seats, with small business districts serving residents."
A spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs explained the advantages of an urban center.
"Urban centers are compact forms of development that when compared to sprawl development, consume less land, deplete fewer natural resources, are usually less expensive in terms of infrastructure investment
and are more efficient with respect to the delivery of public services," Lisa Ryan wrote in an email. "These urban centers offer the most diverse mix of industry, commerce, residences and cultural facilities of any central places in the state."
Ryan went on to say that it is the state's preference to use incentives to promote development in these centers as opposed to allowing sprawl development into open space.
"The state promotes and accommodates growth in centers, rather than open spaces and farmlands and woodlands," she said. "As a result, an area identified as a center can be eligible for economic growth incentives and priority grant placements."
Maski described the process for attaining urban center status after the council adopts the self-assessment.
"The next step after it is adopted, it will move on to the state, and the next major thing they come up with is they will ask to see the master plan and make an assessment of how much more work the city will have to do to gain full plan compliance," he said. "They then give you what is called an action plan, which is an itemized list of things to do."
One of the items the state may ask is for Long Branch to go through a visioning process, for which the city is requesting a waiver.
"One of their comments could be now you have to do a visioning process," Bernich said. "We feel we have already done that."
The self-assessment is a detailed look at the city, including the city's history of development as well as the city's current demographics.
A large portion of the assessment is an analysis comparing Long Branch to the rest of Monmouth County.
Long Branch had a population of just over 31,000 in 2000 and is projected to have grown to over 40,000 in 2009.
The assessment also shows that the city is more diverse than both the county and the state, with a higher level of blacks, Latinos and other populations.
The average city resident is also younger than both the county and state average.
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Two O'port Council seats won by GOP
Two O'port Council seats won by GOP
Incumbent, running mate finish ahead of Dem challenger
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
William Johnson William Johnson OCEANPORT — Voters in Oceanport elected two Republicans on Nov. 3 to fill two seats that were up for election on the Borough Council.
Voters overwhelmingly voted to re-elect incumbentWilliamJohnson to another term and selected his running mate Gerald Bertekap to fill a seat currently held by a Democrat.
Johnson received 1,610 votes while Bertekap received 1,520. Democratic challenger Lester T. Cox, attempting to keep control of the seat for his party, fell short with 736 votes. Cox ran for the seat currently held by Councilman John W. Ibex, who chose not to seek re-election
Johnson said he was honored that the voters elected him for another term.
"I'm honored the residents of Oceanport chose to re-elect me to another three-year term," he said in an email. "I would also like to congratulate my running mate and thank our opponent on a clean iss ues-based campaign.
"I believe my reelection is a testament that the people of Oceanport are happy with the direction the town is going in under the current administration," he added.
Gerald Bertekap Gerald Bertekap Johnson went on to say that residents approve of the direction of the Oceanport council.
"I am sure my re-election represents the community's perception of the current mayor and council," he said. "People realize how hard the local governing body is working on such issues as the reuse of Fort Monmouth, environmental issues as they relate to Monmouth Park, and controlling skyrocketing property taxes."
Johnson said the borough has some heavy issues to deal with.
"We will continue to lobby our state legislators to make sure the borough's voice is heard on the Fort Monmouth implementation authority," he said. "We are currently reaching out to Congressmen [Rush] Holt and [Frank] Pallone [Jr.] to solicit federal funds for the dredging of the polluted Branchport Creek."
Johnson served on council for the past two years and has worked for the New York Stock Exchange for the past 26 years. He is also chairman of the Planning & Development Committee, a member of the Oceanport Planning Board, vice chairman for finance and administration, and a member of the Health and Human ServicesCommittee.
Bertekap also said he is honored to be elected.
"Being elected feels like receiving a new job offer in which the residents of Oceanport are putting their trust in me to make the right decisions regarding the borough," he said in an email.
Bertekap said he believes he won election because of his community involvement.
"I showed that I care through my past volunteer work for the borough," he said.
He also cited his election and Johnson's reelection as validation for the council.
"People are pleased with the current local government," he said.
Bertekap is employed by Meridian Health and Raritan Bay Medical Center. He serves as president of the Oceanport Hook and Ladder Fire Company, sergeant of the First Aid Squad, a member of the Planning Board and a member of the Office of Emergency Management.
He also sits on the Emergency Services Advisory Committee for Fort Monmouth and served as fire chief in 2007.
Republicans are now in the majority on the council, which is made up of one Democrat and five Republicans. Mayor Michael Mahon is a Democrat, who is eligible to cast a vote only in order to break a deadlock..
Incumbent, running mate finish ahead of Dem challenger
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
William Johnson William Johnson OCEANPORT — Voters in Oceanport elected two Republicans on Nov. 3 to fill two seats that were up for election on the Borough Council.
Voters overwhelmingly voted to re-elect incumbentWilliamJohnson to another term and selected his running mate Gerald Bertekap to fill a seat currently held by a Democrat.
Johnson received 1,610 votes while Bertekap received 1,520. Democratic challenger Lester T. Cox, attempting to keep control of the seat for his party, fell short with 736 votes. Cox ran for the seat currently held by Councilman John W. Ibex, who chose not to seek re-election
Johnson said he was honored that the voters elected him for another term.
"I'm honored the residents of Oceanport chose to re-elect me to another three-year term," he said in an email. "I would also like to congratulate my running mate and thank our opponent on a clean iss ues-based campaign.
"I believe my reelection is a testament that the people of Oceanport are happy with the direction the town is going in under the current administration," he added.
Gerald Bertekap Gerald Bertekap Johnson went on to say that residents approve of the direction of the Oceanport council.
"I am sure my re-election represents the community's perception of the current mayor and council," he said. "People realize how hard the local governing body is working on such issues as the reuse of Fort Monmouth, environmental issues as they relate to Monmouth Park, and controlling skyrocketing property taxes."
Johnson said the borough has some heavy issues to deal with.
"We will continue to lobby our state legislators to make sure the borough's voice is heard on the Fort Monmouth implementation authority," he said. "We are currently reaching out to Congressmen [Rush] Holt and [Frank] Pallone [Jr.] to solicit federal funds for the dredging of the polluted Branchport Creek."
Johnson served on council for the past two years and has worked for the New York Stock Exchange for the past 26 years. He is also chairman of the Planning & Development Committee, a member of the Oceanport Planning Board, vice chairman for finance and administration, and a member of the Health and Human ServicesCommittee.
Bertekap also said he is honored to be elected.
"Being elected feels like receiving a new job offer in which the residents of Oceanport are putting their trust in me to make the right decisions regarding the borough," he said in an email.
Bertekap said he believes he won election because of his community involvement.
"I showed that I care through my past volunteer work for the borough," he said.
He also cited his election and Johnson's reelection as validation for the council.
"People are pleased with the current local government," he said.
Bertekap is employed by Meridian Health and Raritan Bay Medical Center. He serves as president of the Oceanport Hook and Ladder Fire Company, sergeant of the First Aid Squad, a member of the Planning Board and a member of the Office of Emergency Management.
He also sits on the Emergency Services Advisory Committee for Fort Monmouth and served as fire chief in 2007.
Republicans are now in the majority on the council, which is made up of one Democrat and five Republicans. Mayor Michael Mahon is a Democrat, who is eligible to cast a vote only in order to break a deadlock..
Voters support cutting open space tax rate
Voters support cutting open space tax rate
Referendum vote backs up three on council
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — By a margin of close to 1,000 votes, Tinton Falls voters on Nov. 3 approved cutting the open space tax rate.
The yes votes carried a referendum on the ballot that asked residents if they wanted to lower the open space tax rate from 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 2.25 cents.
According to unofficial results reported on the Monmouth County Board of Elections website, 2,964 residents voted in favor of cutting the tax rate while 1,988 voted against the cut.
The issue became controversial over the summer when the Borough Council spent several meetings debating whether to submit a question on the open space tax rate for a referendum vote.
The council ended up accepting the referendum question with a 3-2 vote at the Aug. 18 council meeting, just nine days before the deadline to submit referendum questions to the state.
Council members Scott Larkin, NancyAnn Fama and Gary Baldwin supported adding the question to the ballot and last week said they are pleased with the outcome.
"I'm very pleased that the referendum passed," Baldwin said.
"From my perspective, I'm just happy that the residents got the opportunity to voice their opinions in the matter," Larkin said. "In terms of how it turned out, I was just happy that the council gave them the opportunity."
While the three council members supported the measure, it does not mean they are against open space.
"There is no question that open space is something that we need to preserve," Baldwin said.
"I think that open space is a good thing," Fama said.
"We have a commitment to open space," Larkin said. "We have a fantastic open space committee. We have some passionate people on our environmental commission. We will be able to proceed."
When the topic of the open space tax first came up, the argument was whether to keep it at 3 cents or lower it to 1.5 cents, until Larkin eventually proposed the compromise of 2.25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Larkin said that 2.25 cents really represented a "common-sense compromise."
"It was a really hard issue to deal with," he said.
"Both sides really had compelling arguments," he added. "To me, the 2.25 represented a compromise to that."
Baldwin fought against the 2.25-cent compromise, but ultimately voted for it.
"My opinion is we should have cut it back to a cent and a half," he said. "He [Larkin] wanted to compromise. It's better than nothing."
Baldwin added that a lot of false information was put out about the impact of cutting the tax.
"The opposition to this was trying to make an issue that by voting yes on this referendum, it would put the open space program in jeopardy," he said. "That just isn't true.
"That was nothing more than [an attempt] to try to scare the public into voting this down," he added.
Under the current 3-cent tax, Tinton Falls will collect $901,774 in dedicated open space funding, according to Director of Finance Stephen Pfeffer. With the tax cut approved by voters, more than $676,000 will be collected during the 2010 tax year.
Pfeffer also said that currently there is approximately $1.7 million in the open space trust fund.
Baldwin thinks that amount in the fund is more then enough for the borough to move forward with open space responsibly.
"We have enough money; we are well overfunded in the open space tax receipts," he said. "It is something I think we needed to do.
"It was a windfall profit, and I just don't think it was right for us to take [the money] without them having some say in it," he added.
According to Borough Clerk Karen Mount-Taylor, the borough collected $384,181 through the open space tax in 2007. After the borough's property revaluation in 2008, the amount collected rose to $876,746.
Baldwin cited the rise in collection after the revaluation as the reason why he pushed to drop the tax.
"With the revaluation of the home properties two years ago, we ended up taking from the taxpayer a lot of money, well beyond what the original 3-cent-per-$100- evaluation allowed us to take," he said. "It went from $384,000 to $901,000 simply because of the revaluation.
"The open space tax will still generate $676,331," he added. "The whole thing was just fallacious. We are still taking from the taxpayer far more than they thought we would take."
With the tax cut approved, the average resident will receive a $25.79 tax cut a year.
Last year a resident with a house assessed at the borough average of $343,760 paid about $103 in taxes for open space.
Baldwin and Larkin saw this as a small step in the right direction.
"While some of my colleagues didn't agree, we just felt this is one of the few times that the borough council had the opportunity to give something back without really cutting services or cutting people," Baldwin said.
"These are very difficult times for people," he added. "These are times where our taxes are going up.
"The referendum was very clear: it was a chance to reduce the tax burden, albeit a small amount," he continued. "We have to begin somewhere."
"Taxes have been the most significant issue in New Jersey for some time now," Larkin said. "When given the opportunity for tax reduction, at whatever level it was, the people were going to look to put some money back in their pockets."
Fama said the main thing is that the cuts give the council the opportunity to give back without cutting services.
"We were able to reduce the taxes, not cut services," she said. "We are ecstatic. I think it is vindication for the ones that were supporting cutting the tax.
"We will always look to preserve open space and be responsive to taxpayer concerns," she added.
Fama credited teamwork and hard work as instrumental in cutting the tax, which is why she was not surprised by the result.
"I knew the sentiment of the residents I have spoken to is that they are looking for government to be responsive and to cut in areas that we can," she said. "I think it was a very good example of teamwork and hard work in getting our message out."
Referendum vote backs up three on council
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — By a margin of close to 1,000 votes, Tinton Falls voters on Nov. 3 approved cutting the open space tax rate.
The yes votes carried a referendum on the ballot that asked residents if they wanted to lower the open space tax rate from 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 2.25 cents.
According to unofficial results reported on the Monmouth County Board of Elections website, 2,964 residents voted in favor of cutting the tax rate while 1,988 voted against the cut.
The issue became controversial over the summer when the Borough Council spent several meetings debating whether to submit a question on the open space tax rate for a referendum vote.
The council ended up accepting the referendum question with a 3-2 vote at the Aug. 18 council meeting, just nine days before the deadline to submit referendum questions to the state.
Council members Scott Larkin, NancyAnn Fama and Gary Baldwin supported adding the question to the ballot and last week said they are pleased with the outcome.
"I'm very pleased that the referendum passed," Baldwin said.
"From my perspective, I'm just happy that the residents got the opportunity to voice their opinions in the matter," Larkin said. "In terms of how it turned out, I was just happy that the council gave them the opportunity."
While the three council members supported the measure, it does not mean they are against open space.
"There is no question that open space is something that we need to preserve," Baldwin said.
"I think that open space is a good thing," Fama said.
"We have a commitment to open space," Larkin said. "We have a fantastic open space committee. We have some passionate people on our environmental commission. We will be able to proceed."
When the topic of the open space tax first came up, the argument was whether to keep it at 3 cents or lower it to 1.5 cents, until Larkin eventually proposed the compromise of 2.25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Larkin said that 2.25 cents really represented a "common-sense compromise."
"It was a really hard issue to deal with," he said.
"Both sides really had compelling arguments," he added. "To me, the 2.25 represented a compromise to that."
Baldwin fought against the 2.25-cent compromise, but ultimately voted for it.
"My opinion is we should have cut it back to a cent and a half," he said. "He [Larkin] wanted to compromise. It's better than nothing."
Baldwin added that a lot of false information was put out about the impact of cutting the tax.
"The opposition to this was trying to make an issue that by voting yes on this referendum, it would put the open space program in jeopardy," he said. "That just isn't true.
"That was nothing more than [an attempt] to try to scare the public into voting this down," he added.
Under the current 3-cent tax, Tinton Falls will collect $901,774 in dedicated open space funding, according to Director of Finance Stephen Pfeffer. With the tax cut approved by voters, more than $676,000 will be collected during the 2010 tax year.
Pfeffer also said that currently there is approximately $1.7 million in the open space trust fund.
Baldwin thinks that amount in the fund is more then enough for the borough to move forward with open space responsibly.
"We have enough money; we are well overfunded in the open space tax receipts," he said. "It is something I think we needed to do.
"It was a windfall profit, and I just don't think it was right for us to take [the money] without them having some say in it," he added.
According to Borough Clerk Karen Mount-Taylor, the borough collected $384,181 through the open space tax in 2007. After the borough's property revaluation in 2008, the amount collected rose to $876,746.
Baldwin cited the rise in collection after the revaluation as the reason why he pushed to drop the tax.
"With the revaluation of the home properties two years ago, we ended up taking from the taxpayer a lot of money, well beyond what the original 3-cent-per-$100- evaluation allowed us to take," he said. "It went from $384,000 to $901,000 simply because of the revaluation.
"The open space tax will still generate $676,331," he added. "The whole thing was just fallacious. We are still taking from the taxpayer far more than they thought we would take."
With the tax cut approved, the average resident will receive a $25.79 tax cut a year.
Last year a resident with a house assessed at the borough average of $343,760 paid about $103 in taxes for open space.
Baldwin and Larkin saw this as a small step in the right direction.
"While some of my colleagues didn't agree, we just felt this is one of the few times that the borough council had the opportunity to give something back without really cutting services or cutting people," Baldwin said.
"These are very difficult times for people," he added. "These are times where our taxes are going up.
"The referendum was very clear: it was a chance to reduce the tax burden, albeit a small amount," he continued. "We have to begin somewhere."
"Taxes have been the most significant issue in New Jersey for some time now," Larkin said. "When given the opportunity for tax reduction, at whatever level it was, the people were going to look to put some money back in their pockets."
Fama said the main thing is that the cuts give the council the opportunity to give back without cutting services.
"We were able to reduce the taxes, not cut services," she said. "We are ecstatic. I think it is vindication for the ones that were supporting cutting the tax.
"We will always look to preserve open space and be responsive to taxpayer concerns," she added.
Fama credited teamwork and hard work as instrumental in cutting the tax, which is why she was not surprised by the result.
"I knew the sentiment of the residents I have spoken to is that they are looking for government to be responsive and to cut in areas that we can," she said. "I think it was a very good example of teamwork and hard work in getting our message out."
County dedicates a fun place for all children
County dedicates a fun place for all children
Tony's Place takes nautical theme from oceanfront locale
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Aplace for children of all abilities to play and have fun was dedicated last week at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch.
Top: Tony's Place, a new universally accessible playground at Seven President's Oceanfront Park in Long Branch, was dedicated Nov. 7. Above: Katie Cartier, Lincroft, enjoys the park's new accessible swing. Top: Tony's Place, a new universally accessible playground at Seven President's Oceanfront Park in Long Branch, was dedicated Nov. 7. Above: Katie Cartier, Lincroft, enjoys the park's new accessible swing. "Tony's Place," a joint initiative of Middletown-based Challenged Youth Sports and the Monmouth County Park System, includes special adaptive equipment for children with disabilities. The county's newest playground is named in honor of Anthony Musella, former vice chairman of the Monmouth County Park System Board of Recreation Commissioners.
Paul Hooker, who founded Challenged Youth Sports in 1990, explained that Musella was a close friend and volunteer coach for children with special needs.
"It actually started back when Tony passed away," Hooker said. "He died early of cancer. Tony was a friend of mine, who was my dentist.
"He helped start Challenged Youth Sports," he added. "He was one of our first coaches in the Little League program."
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff "This completed play facility includes elevated surfaces that are accessible to those in wheelchairs, Braille signs for the visually impaired, and other areas where children of varied abilities can play together in fun and stimulating activities," a press release from the Monmouth County Park System states. "Tony's Place will replace and expand the park's existing playground."
Challenged Youth Sports and the park system previously partnered in 2004 for a handicappedaccessible playground at the Dorbrook Recreation Area in Colts Neck.
"He was one of the ones that was instrumental in getting us the ground for our first playground," Hooker said. "From the time that Tony passed, I really wanted to build another playground with the Monmouth County Park System and call it Tony's Place."
Hooker said the organization has been working on the park for about three years. According to the MCPS, the cost of the new playground is $633,700.
Challenged Youth Sports contributed about $140,000 collected through fundraisers, with an additional $12,000 coming from Friends of the Monmouth County Parks, a nonprofit that raises funds for the park system.
The remainder of the funds were provided by the park system.
"Really the MCPS was the one that budgeted the money and funded it," Hooker said. "We really raised about 20 percent of the cost to build it.
"It's their land. Their rangers patrol it. They keep it in good shape," he added.
"We just tried to raise money to help to build it," he added. "The MCPS has to go out and find an ideal place where they have bathrooms, they have parking."
According to the website, Challenged Youth Sports began in 1990 in Lincroft as a recreational sports program for children with disabilities. The program is volunteerbased, involving both adults and teenagers from the community. The objective is to provide recreation for the children while fostering an environment for positive reinforcement through recreational sports.
Hooker and his wife, Margo, run soccer, basketball and tennis programs in 20 participating towns.
Hooker said they had options on where to go with the park, and Long Branch was the best fit.
"They had two or three choices that we sat down with," he said. "We decided that it would be a great venue to have it right by the ocean.
"It would get a lot of use in the summer from the beach," he added. "It is very easy to get to, great parking. It was the best of the options that they came up with."
Hooker explained that the park draws on its oceanfront location for the theme.
"It has a real nautical theme," he said. "You walk in and there are flags flying. The main piece is like a pirate ship.
"On the other side is a little village that has a bait shop. While it has swings and the usual things that kids play on, everything is in a nautical theme."
There is also an elevated sand box for children who cannot get down to play in the sand.
In the end, Hooker is happy with the finished product of the playground.
"It's an unbelievable playground, one that I haven't seen before," he said. "This is a big day for us because we wanted this tribute so badly for Tony."
Hooker thanked the park system for the new playground.
"A huge thank you to the MCPS for making this possible," he said. "He meant a lot to them, too."
Susan Walsh, public information officer for the park system, explained that one of the reasons for the park system's second playground that includes adaptive equipment was the huge success of a similar playground at Dorbrook Park in Colts Neck
"That has been very successful — it is very heavily visited," she said. "We know that people enjoy that playground.
"It is just natural to want to build a second one," she added. "It falls in line with the park system's plan to refurbish our playgrounds around the county."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
Tony's Place takes nautical theme from oceanfront locale
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Aplace for children of all abilities to play and have fun was dedicated last week at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch.
Top: Tony's Place, a new universally accessible playground at Seven President's Oceanfront Park in Long Branch, was dedicated Nov. 7. Above: Katie Cartier, Lincroft, enjoys the park's new accessible swing. Top: Tony's Place, a new universally accessible playground at Seven President's Oceanfront Park in Long Branch, was dedicated Nov. 7. Above: Katie Cartier, Lincroft, enjoys the park's new accessible swing. "Tony's Place," a joint initiative of Middletown-based Challenged Youth Sports and the Monmouth County Park System, includes special adaptive equipment for children with disabilities. The county's newest playground is named in honor of Anthony Musella, former vice chairman of the Monmouth County Park System Board of Recreation Commissioners.
Paul Hooker, who founded Challenged Youth Sports in 1990, explained that Musella was a close friend and volunteer coach for children with special needs.
"It actually started back when Tony passed away," Hooker said. "He died early of cancer. Tony was a friend of mine, who was my dentist.
"He helped start Challenged Youth Sports," he added. "He was one of our first coaches in the Little League program."
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff "This completed play facility includes elevated surfaces that are accessible to those in wheelchairs, Braille signs for the visually impaired, and other areas where children of varied abilities can play together in fun and stimulating activities," a press release from the Monmouth County Park System states. "Tony's Place will replace and expand the park's existing playground."
Challenged Youth Sports and the park system previously partnered in 2004 for a handicappedaccessible playground at the Dorbrook Recreation Area in Colts Neck.
"He was one of the ones that was instrumental in getting us the ground for our first playground," Hooker said. "From the time that Tony passed, I really wanted to build another playground with the Monmouth County Park System and call it Tony's Place."
Hooker said the organization has been working on the park for about three years. According to the MCPS, the cost of the new playground is $633,700.
Challenged Youth Sports contributed about $140,000 collected through fundraisers, with an additional $12,000 coming from Friends of the Monmouth County Parks, a nonprofit that raises funds for the park system.
The remainder of the funds were provided by the park system.
"Really the MCPS was the one that budgeted the money and funded it," Hooker said. "We really raised about 20 percent of the cost to build it.
"It's their land. Their rangers patrol it. They keep it in good shape," he added.
"We just tried to raise money to help to build it," he added. "The MCPS has to go out and find an ideal place where they have bathrooms, they have parking."
According to the website, Challenged Youth Sports began in 1990 in Lincroft as a recreational sports program for children with disabilities. The program is volunteerbased, involving both adults and teenagers from the community. The objective is to provide recreation for the children while fostering an environment for positive reinforcement through recreational sports.
Hooker and his wife, Margo, run soccer, basketball and tennis programs in 20 participating towns.
Hooker said they had options on where to go with the park, and Long Branch was the best fit.
"They had two or three choices that we sat down with," he said. "We decided that it would be a great venue to have it right by the ocean.
"It would get a lot of use in the summer from the beach," he added. "It is very easy to get to, great parking. It was the best of the options that they came up with."
Hooker explained that the park draws on its oceanfront location for the theme.
"It has a real nautical theme," he said. "You walk in and there are flags flying. The main piece is like a pirate ship.
"On the other side is a little village that has a bait shop. While it has swings and the usual things that kids play on, everything is in a nautical theme."
There is also an elevated sand box for children who cannot get down to play in the sand.
In the end, Hooker is happy with the finished product of the playground.
"It's an unbelievable playground, one that I haven't seen before," he said. "This is a big day for us because we wanted this tribute so badly for Tony."
Hooker thanked the park system for the new playground.
"A huge thank you to the MCPS for making this possible," he said. "He meant a lot to them, too."
Susan Walsh, public information officer for the park system, explained that one of the reasons for the park system's second playground that includes adaptive equipment was the huge success of a similar playground at Dorbrook Park in Colts Neck
"That has been very successful — it is very heavily visited," she said. "We know that people enjoy that playground.
"It is just natural to want to build a second one," she added. "It falls in line with the park system's plan to refurbish our playgrounds around the county."
Contact Kenny Walter at
kwalter@gmnews.com.
L.B. Housing Authority looks toward the future
L.B. Housing Authority looks toward the future
Plans call for senior housing on school site
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
The Long Branch Housing Authority is negotiating with the city for the purchase of the former Gregory School, which would become the site of a senior housing complex.
LBHA executive director Tyrone Garrett discussed plans to provide more senior housing at a press conference Nov. 4 at the LBHA office on Hope Lane.
"LBHA has entered into negotiations with the city of Long Branch to purchase the old Gregory School for the future site of a senior housing complex," Garrett said. "We are planning to construct additional, mixed-income units along the Central Avenue corridor."
After the conference ended, Garrett said he hopes to move forward soon on the project planned for the school site on Joline Avenue.
"Hope- fully, we are going to be able to close that with the city of Long Branch before the end of the year," he said. "The concept will be to build 100 units there.
"That should be a positive effect because of its location and the need," he added.
Garrett said that creating senior housing is one of the more pressing issues that the LBHA is facing.
"One-third of our overall waiting list is for seniors," he said. "We need to figure out a way to house them as best as we can.
"The idea is that we will be able to develop some housing units there, whether it be by sale or by rental," he added.
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schnieder attended the press conference and discussed the Gregory School site in an interview last week.
Schneider said it appears the plans will call for the housing authority to demolish the school building.
"I think that's where they are intending to go," he said. "I don't think that they can economically restore it.
"They are trying to build 100 housing units there, and I think on first blush they think they are not going to be able to do that with that building," he added. "It is unfortunate, because it is a nice-looking building."
The city and the LBHA are still in negotiations for the site, but Schneider said it is a "proverbial lock" that the LBHA will end up with it.
According to Garrett, the LBHA is looking at different models to modernize housing in the city.
One option being considered is placing housing units on the floors above retail storefronts.
"The idea is the mixed-income component where there are storefronts on the bottom level," he said. "It is something we might try here if the opportunity presents."
Garrett said the LBHA is getting away from high-rise apartment buildings as a way to provide housing units for seniors.
"The high-rise buildings now probably only go five stories, and they are probably only used for seniors," he said. "The quality of life is bad for residents."
Instead of the high-rises, the trend is to building townhouse-style apartments, which Long Branch has already started to build.
In his presentation, Garrett said there are 40 townhouse units at the remediated Seaview Manor site, 70 townhouse units at the Presidential Estates site, and 128 townhouse units at Garfield Court.
He explained the amenities that the townhouses include.
"Every unit has a dishwasher, washer/dryer, stove, range, central air, an alarm system," he said. "They all have lawns and a sprinkler system."
Daniel Gibson, a coordinator with the LBHA, said another advantage that the townhouses have over the towers is the safety of having your own space.
"The townhouses afford a resident what is known as defensible space," Gibson said. "When you walk through that door, you're in your apartment. You're not in a common hallway not knowing who's in there."
One of the things that the LBHA is doing is treating the townhouses like private property.
"In Long Branch there is now public real estate that rivals that of the private sector," he said. "Our agency has embraced change in attempts to operate daily as if it were a private corporation."
Garrett said one of the primary goals of the LBHA is to modernize all the public housing units in the city.
"To continue the growth, it may be one parcel at a time, but we are going to figure out a way to revitalize obsolete [housing] units in the city," he said.
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider also spoke at the press conference.
Schneider said that years ago the LBHA management was not up to par, but in recent years the authority has done a complete turnaround.
"What you see here is what happens when people work together," he said. "The change in the authority is amazing.
"You looked at a housing authority management that was in disarray," he added. "The fact is that it is a totally different world here right now in a 100 percent positive way.
"That's a testimony to Tyrone, to the members of the authority and to the employees," he continued. "The change down here is just amazing, and it's had a huge impact on the people in this community."
One of the projects the city and the LBHA will partner on is the conversion of the old Bucky James Center into a recreation center.
"Bucky James is gone, and we are going to have a rec center there," Schneider said. "I'm pretty sure there is going to be cooperation between the recreation department and the housing authority."
During the press conference, Garrett reviewed some past projects that the LBHA has taken on.
The projects include redeveloping SeaviewManor, which was adjacent to a coal tar site inherited by New Jersey Natural Gas.
The LBHA was able to turn the site into a payday when the gas company paid $5.5 million for the site and the costs to relocate the housing.
Garrett said the LBHA leveraged the money into even more funding.
"The $5.5 million had allowed the LBHA to leverage over $137 million in redevelopment activity by pooling HOPE VI, NJHMFA funding [New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency] RCA [regional contribution agreement] funds, HOME funding, and Affordable Home Loan Bank of N.Y. monies," he said. "The original $5.5 million is still in the LBHA's bank account earning interest."
Plans call for senior housing on school site
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
The Long Branch Housing Authority is negotiating with the city for the purchase of the former Gregory School, which would become the site of a senior housing complex.
LBHA executive director Tyrone Garrett discussed plans to provide more senior housing at a press conference Nov. 4 at the LBHA office on Hope Lane.
"LBHA has entered into negotiations with the city of Long Branch to purchase the old Gregory School for the future site of a senior housing complex," Garrett said. "We are planning to construct additional, mixed-income units along the Central Avenue corridor."
After the conference ended, Garrett said he hopes to move forward soon on the project planned for the school site on Joline Avenue.
"Hope- fully, we are going to be able to close that with the city of Long Branch before the end of the year," he said. "The concept will be to build 100 units there.
"That should be a positive effect because of its location and the need," he added.
Garrett said that creating senior housing is one of the more pressing issues that the LBHA is facing.
"One-third of our overall waiting list is for seniors," he said. "We need to figure out a way to house them as best as we can.
"The idea is that we will be able to develop some housing units there, whether it be by sale or by rental," he added.
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schnieder attended the press conference and discussed the Gregory School site in an interview last week.
Schneider said it appears the plans will call for the housing authority to demolish the school building.
"I think that's where they are intending to go," he said. "I don't think that they can economically restore it.
"They are trying to build 100 housing units there, and I think on first blush they think they are not going to be able to do that with that building," he added. "It is unfortunate, because it is a nice-looking building."
The city and the LBHA are still in negotiations for the site, but Schneider said it is a "proverbial lock" that the LBHA will end up with it.
According to Garrett, the LBHA is looking at different models to modernize housing in the city.
One option being considered is placing housing units on the floors above retail storefronts.
"The idea is the mixed-income component where there are storefronts on the bottom level," he said. "It is something we might try here if the opportunity presents."
Garrett said the LBHA is getting away from high-rise apartment buildings as a way to provide housing units for seniors.
"The high-rise buildings now probably only go five stories, and they are probably only used for seniors," he said. "The quality of life is bad for residents."
Instead of the high-rises, the trend is to building townhouse-style apartments, which Long Branch has already started to build.
In his presentation, Garrett said there are 40 townhouse units at the remediated Seaview Manor site, 70 townhouse units at the Presidential Estates site, and 128 townhouse units at Garfield Court.
He explained the amenities that the townhouses include.
"Every unit has a dishwasher, washer/dryer, stove, range, central air, an alarm system," he said. "They all have lawns and a sprinkler system."
Daniel Gibson, a coordinator with the LBHA, said another advantage that the townhouses have over the towers is the safety of having your own space.
"The townhouses afford a resident what is known as defensible space," Gibson said. "When you walk through that door, you're in your apartment. You're not in a common hallway not knowing who's in there."
One of the things that the LBHA is doing is treating the townhouses like private property.
"In Long Branch there is now public real estate that rivals that of the private sector," he said. "Our agency has embraced change in attempts to operate daily as if it were a private corporation."
Garrett said one of the primary goals of the LBHA is to modernize all the public housing units in the city.
"To continue the growth, it may be one parcel at a time, but we are going to figure out a way to revitalize obsolete [housing] units in the city," he said.
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider also spoke at the press conference.
Schneider said that years ago the LBHA management was not up to par, but in recent years the authority has done a complete turnaround.
"What you see here is what happens when people work together," he said. "The change in the authority is amazing.
"You looked at a housing authority management that was in disarray," he added. "The fact is that it is a totally different world here right now in a 100 percent positive way.
"That's a testimony to Tyrone, to the members of the authority and to the employees," he continued. "The change down here is just amazing, and it's had a huge impact on the people in this community."
One of the projects the city and the LBHA will partner on is the conversion of the old Bucky James Center into a recreation center.
"Bucky James is gone, and we are going to have a rec center there," Schneider said. "I'm pretty sure there is going to be cooperation between the recreation department and the housing authority."
During the press conference, Garrett reviewed some past projects that the LBHA has taken on.
The projects include redeveloping SeaviewManor, which was adjacent to a coal tar site inherited by New Jersey Natural Gas.
The LBHA was able to turn the site into a payday when the gas company paid $5.5 million for the site and the costs to relocate the housing.
Garrett said the LBHA leveraged the money into even more funding.
"The $5.5 million had allowed the LBHA to leverage over $137 million in redevelopment activity by pooling HOPE VI, NJHMFA funding [New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency] RCA [regional contribution agreement] funds, HOME funding, and Affordable Home Loan Bank of N.Y. monies," he said. "The original $5.5 million is still in the LBHA's bank account earning interest."
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