Borough of Point Pleasant Beach MINUTES
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach met at 6:33 PM with Mayor Vogel and Councilmen Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, and DiCorcia present. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Department Head memos and correspondence were discussed with many items moved to agenda for action.
Motion by Councilman DiCorcia to enter closed session to discuss (1) contractual and (2) litigation matters, was seconded by Councilman Mercun and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia…YEA
Closed session started at 6:58 P.M. and ended at 7:23 P.M.
Mayor Vogel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Present were Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, and DiCorcia. The Municipal Clerk again read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Motion by Councilman DiCorcia, to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2007 Council meeting, was seconded by Councilman Corbally and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia…YEA
Ordinance 2007-20 (Expansion of MC-2 Overlay Zone) was considered on second reading.
Jim Malone, 106 St. Louis Avenue: asked why this rezoning was happening now and not as part of the Master Plan revision – this is spot zoning and contrary to the recommendations of the Master Plan Review Committee, as it relates to density – denial by Board of Adjustment on this property, earlier this year, and also the Planning Board reexamination report indicates that the Borough was undertaking a comprehensive planning study, which would evaluate land use, traffic and pedestrian circulation, and parking issues – asked if this was done – if not, how can the impact this project will have on these issues be evaluated – Point Beach is 1.44 square miles and has a permanent population density of 3,696 people per square mile, more than the average for Ocean County which is 803 and the State of New Jersey which is 1,134 – when you approve this type of development, you add to the density – are ruining the character of this small beach town and turning it into a city with loss of quality of life – the real estate market is dead as you know – condos are not selling as evidence by the Skoko’s property, the Beacon Garden’s apartments, which are going into leasing instead of condos, and a bunch of other properties – this is not a good move – would like an answer as to why this is being pushed for adoption this evening.
Larry Beresik, 118 St. Louis Avenue: asked if Councilman Corbally and DiCicco were in favor of this spot zoning (Councilman DiCicco: not in favor of spot zoning) – asked why he was in favor of this zoning ordinance (think it’s the proper use of this property, based on this planning report, it serves as a transition area from the residential areas directly to the south of it – the planner has indicated that this is the proper use of the property – I disagree with Mr. Malone that this is inconsistent with the Master Plan Review Committee reports – provides for mixed use opportunity on that property – just because residential is allowed, doesn’t mean that it will become residential – all other uses previously permitted under the MC zone are still permitted – this is also a problem property with respect to the upkeep of it and the safety hazards for the police – seemed to be out of place, in my estimation, so I support moving it quicker rather than later because of the significant problems that have occurred there – you can’t sit around and wait a year or two from now to create a Master Zoning Ordinance that covers every area in town – we need to address these problems as they arise – we would be chastised for being non-responsive if we didn’t address these things as they come up) – think there seems to be an ulterior motive and would like to know what it is, that you and Mr. Corbally have in this (have no ulterior motive) – word around town is that this is going to hurt you in your election – I just can’t see why you are taking this zone and making it residential – this will raise our taxes, rather than lower it (Attorney Starkey: this isn’t single family residential – the Planning Board has approved this master plan, which then comes back to the Council) – don’t like the idea of taking this commercial area and doing away with the motel (Attorney Starkey: does not affect the whole area) – this is spot zoning – the word on the street is that there is a reason for that ( Councilman Mercun asked what the word on the street is) – probably a favor (asked if he had proof of that) – if I did, I couldn’t tell you (so in other words, you are coming up here and hurling an accusation at these two members of the Council without any basis of fact – they have presented you with their reasons which seem to be appropriate, in their belief) – I am not accusing anyone, I just said it’s the word on the street – I just don’t understand why you would change this commercial area to make it into homes – predict going to loose election badly due to this (Councilman DiCicco: I make decisions based on what is right instead of what would get me re-elected).
Joe Bilotti, 101 Broadway: asked about the rush as the Master Plan is going to permit condos there anyway and should be passed in a few months (Master Plan already passed) – asked why a special ordinance was introduced to allow condos there (introduced because of the significant problems being experienced with respect to the health and safety of the residents of Point Pleasant Beach, coupled with an appropriate planning basis, as set forth by town’s planner) – drug and prostitution problems there are not as serious as were stated at previous council meetings – can walk on Channel Drive at 3 AM or 4 AM and not have any trouble – why spot zone from Baltimore to St. Louis Avenue – (not spot-zoning – spot zoning is when there is no planning basis for a particular zoning ordinance – there is a very legitimate planning basis as set forth in the Master Plan report – spot-zoning has nothing to do with one property or even five properties, but with a legitimate planning basis and there is one) – my lawyers told me this is spot-zoning and it is illegal, but to stop it I would have to challenge it – I am not willing to spend that type of money – asked why the ordinance states from Baltimore to St. Louis, not from Riverside Place to St. Louis – asked why his property was left out (there is a different land use that exists in that area as you go further east; Chef’s International was also left out on the South side of Broadway – that is what the Master Plan review committee came up with and that’s what the Planning Board approved – wanted a buffer zone between residential and commercial – will hopefully attract more businesses to Channel Drive – fortunate to have Farrell’s and Tardi’s – the property that we are talking about has been a dangerous property) – it’s not a dangerous property – you could have shut the man down and told him to clean the property up – we need motels in town – (the other motels and hotels in town will do better if we get rid of this one – idea is to encourage establishments where people are paying taxes and eating in our restaurants, not out of dumpsters next door) – I happen to know this was done as a favor to a motel owner and that’s it – we will let the people know in November.
Kathy Foley, 115 Randall Avenue: by reducing number of motels, you limit the opportunity for those who do not live in town to enjoy the beach.
Max Gagnon, 304 Parkway: asked how far down Baltimore and Chicago this was going; if having problem with one hotel why not try to correct the problem – if they can’t correct it, shut them down; change should be made with the object of making the town a better place and my opinion is this doesn’t; where do we stop changing things in town because we can’t control them?
Marilyn Burke, 118 Central Avenue: unaware of problems at this location – asked for the number of arrests and reasons for them (Councilman Mercun: don’t have those statistics here – the primary motivation, however, is not the problems there – if there were no sound planning basis to change to residential in this area, I wouldn’t support this ordinance – think you should be able to control your properties and think we do – fact of the matter is we do have a sound planning basis for this ordinance – the problems down there just push this over the goal line a little quicker as far as a proper use of our zoning power – there is an intention, based on our Master Plan, the Master Plan review report, and our Planning Boards findings that we can bring the residential component on to Broadway – the residential component on the north side of Broadway will enhance the area by bringing in more people with disposable income to then frequent the restaurants and shops – residential is critical to bring people to the area – people have a tendency to shop and dine in close proximity to where they live – we feel a multi-family use, as opposed to a single family use, is the right fit for the area – the purpose of this zoning ordinance is to begin the process of creating a plan for Broadway that will bring residents, with disposable income, into the area) – so the purpose of this is to create a more vibrant community and this was in the plan anyway, independent of the danger (Yes, but the danger helped move it along faster due to concern with keeping the town safe).
Councilman Loughran: asked if anyone spoke to property owner regarding situation (Yes).
Barbara Dervan, 320 Broadway: wished that everyone was here when we checked the photo IDs that showed four Meghan’s law offenders in the Broadway motels – there seems to be confusion on whether passing of this ordinance is to clean-up the motel – vacancy signs are present forty-two weeks of the year and also during August – other times those rooms are filled with transients – need to make highest and best use of the property.
Councilman Loughran: there are a lot of hotels on that street that don’t have these problems – there must be a reason for that – lost a lot of commercial properties in this town to residential, which is not healthy.
John Christoudias, 304 Channel Drive: owner of subject motel – nobody is doing me any favors; made many improvements between 1998 and present – passed all inspections; motel business has decreased drastically, except for hotels right on the beach – not enough tourists to support all the hotels in this town – change here will make other motels more viable; try to screen people in winter as I live next door to hotel; will be reducing density with this move.
Jim Malone, 106 St. Louis Avenue: appreciate response, but would like answer – Planning Board is undertaking comprehensive planning study which will evaluate land use, traffic, pedestrian circulation, and parking issues – asked if it is done (on-going process).
Donna Maria Adelizzi-Diaz, 711 Atlantic Avenue: asked if problem was passage of ordinance or passage ahead of the package (little bit of both).
Frank Rizzo, 64 Harvard Avenue: Mr. Bilotti brought up a good point – if people in town wanted to fight this ordinance, this would require an attorney and cost money – there is an injustice in town, that a select few can have things done in their favor.
Kathleen McGuiness, 97 St. Louis Avenue: if hotel stays like it is, it continues to fill with transients – asked what would happen if hotel became vacant and abandoned.
Councilman Loughran: have had problems with other businesses in town and sat down with them to address the problem – I don’t believe we have done this.
Joe Bilotti, 101 Broadway: contrary to popular opinion, hotels are not thriving – back in 1992 my net was $112, 000, two years ago it was $37,000 – large hotels have high mortgages and can’t pay them so they convert to condominiums.
Motion by Councilman Corbally, seconded by Councilman DiCicco and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2007-20 was adopted on second reading.
VOTE: Council Members Mercun*, Corbally**, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia***…YEA
Councilman Loughran…NAY
* Councilman Mercun: voting for this ordinance because it looks like we are taking a step forward; if I suspected that anybody would gain anything from passing this ordinance, I would be screaming – I was a prosecutor for thirty years and would never be party to anything like that – believe this was a well thought out plan for town’s growth – believe motel market is going down; it’s appalling that if you disagree with somebody in town, the next step is to throw accusations – as elected officials we should be under scrutiny, but shouldn’t be vilified by hurling baseless accusations – that is not what government is all about.
** Councilman Corbally: this is going through faster because there is a dangerous situation there which will be removed before this winter – remaining hotels on Broadway will benefit and hopefully continue to invest in their property – finally, this is another step towards the revitalization of Broadway – for these reasons I am voting yes.
*** Councilman DiCorcia: for those who believe, no proof is necessary – for those who do not believe, no proof is possible; this is best for the safety and welfare of the people of Point Pleasant Beach – there was a hotel in town that was the second largest houser of welfare recipients in Ocean County – a couple of those residents tore the necks off some swans – our police department did an admiral job just as they are doing in all the other motels, businesses or bars that have problems – you can control it, as best you can, but you cannot eliminate the whole problem.
Clerk Ellsworth added several items to Consent Resolution 3; Ben Dispoto, 311 Parkway, questioned Consent Resolution 3, item ‘t’; Candace Donoghue, 1304 Baltimore Avenue; asked if the DEP had received and reviewed the Adopt-A-Spot application – under the purview of freshwater wetlands and under the purview that the deed has conservation restrictions, jurisdiction belongs to the DEP, which stated that Adopt-A-Spot cannot be used at those locations; Tim Lurie, 1020 Gowdy Avenue: asked if anyone had looked into outsourcing street sweeping to a private company; Kathleen Foley, 115 Randall Avenue; asked if the air conditioner being purchased was just one unit and did we go out to bid (not required to bid unless it’s over $21,000); Vince Castin, 15 Trenton Avenue, asked about payment for clock motor; Sonya Lopez, 1020 Gowdy Avenue, asked about request to utilize rain garden as drainage measure (sent to borough engineer for input).
Motion by Councilman Corbally, seconded by Councilman DiCorcia, resolutions listed below were carried by the following roll call votes:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
a) Renew ABC License for Keldu, Inc., T/A Rockafella’s Restaurant
b) Transfer ABC License from Marafood, Inc to 401 Broadway, LLC T/A Farrell’s Stout and Steak
c) Approval of Social Affairs Permit for Foodbank of Monmouth/Ocean Counties on 9/9/07
d) Approval of Social Affairs Permit for Point Pleasant Elks on 09/15/2007
e) Approval of Payrolls #15 ($289,808.57), #16 ($287,599.35) and #17 ($274,669.60)
f) P O for annual ad in Garnet Gull Booster Association Sports Program ($125)
g) P O to Motorola for police equipment ($28,200)
h) P Os to ESI Equipment, Inc. for fire equipment ($13,490)
i) P O to Breathe Safe Fire & Safety Equipment Co. for fire equipment ($8,939)
j) P O to Airpower International, Inc. for fire equipment ($20,100)
k) Payment to Emecot Corporation for police equipment ($6,355)
l) Payment to CME Associates for services re: Fire Dept standby generators ($1,018.50)
m) Payments to Schoor Depalma from escrow accounts ($781.25)
n) Payments to CME Associates from escrow accounts ($3,686.23)
o) Payments to Schulman, Wiegmann from Board of Adjustment escrow accounts ($525)
p) Payments to Galvin Law Firm from Board of Adjustment escrow accounts ($1,942.50)
q) Payment of 3rd Quarter 2007 tax allocation to Ocean County ($1,776,923.55)
r) Payment to Four Points Refrigeration for a/c unit in caucus room ($3,850)
s) Payments to Brick Utilities MUA for June & July bulk water usage ($231,419.36)
t) Payment to USA Bluebook for water meters ($17,858.80)
u) Refund of dewatering bonds ($896)
v) Refund balance of escrow monies to Schwebel Family Trust ($937.50)
w) Refund dumpster bond ($250)
x) Raffles License Applications (2) for Point Pleasant Woman’s Club EMD on 11/02/07
y) Raffles License Application for Pt Pleasant Hockey Association on 09/15/07
VOTE: Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia…YEA
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
a) Raffles License Applications (2) for PPB HS Boosters Assoc on 5/12/08
and various dates in 2007/2008
b) Payment to Applied Concepts for 6 radar units ($16,770)
c) Payment to Boyce Assoc. for recycling/trash receptacles ($3,675)
d) Payment to O C Road Dept. for beach grading, Broadway to Parkway ($7,083.26)
e) Approval of Banner Permit Application for St. Peter’s PTA craft festival
f) Payments to Schoor Depalma from Planning Board escrow accounts ($517.25)
g) Payment to 3rd Quarter installment to OCUA ($290,235)
h) Scheduled payment to PPB Board of Education ($744,676)
i) 2007 Donation to PPB Library ($5,000)
j) Payment to Robert Molner for District II Sub Station building repairs ($3,928)
k) Approval of computer-generated vouchers ($779, 275.52)
l) Raffles applications (3) for St. Peter School PTA
m) Raffles applications (2) for St. Peter’s Church on 10/07/2007
n) Award contract to Sea View for Boston Ave drainage improvements ($248,631)
o) P O to R&H Spring & Truck Repair for hydraulic tailgate lift for P/W truck ($1,937.85)
VOTE: Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia…YEA
CONSENT RESOLUTION 3:
a) Raffle License Applications (2) for Point Pleasant Elks Lodge # 1698
b) Payment to PPB Chamber of Commerce for Holiday Donation ($5,000)
c) Raffles License Application for St. Peter’s Church on 10/07/07
d) Authorization for CME Associates to apply to NJ DOT Grants for restoration of Niblick St and New York Ave
e) Payment to Horizon BCBS for employee medical benefits ($141,265.19)
f) Approval of additional computer generated vouchers ($92,177.26)
g) P O to Motorola for police communications desk equipment ($162,931.95)
h) Payment to Suplee, Clooney for bond issue services ($18,650)
i) Payment to Moody’s for bond sale services ($8,275)
j) Payment to Brick Cardiovascular for policy academy recruit stress tests ($2,500)
k) Payment to Gold Fever for clock motor ($2,495)
l) Acceptance of 2006 audit report and corrective action plan
m) Approval of curb cut at 514 Cramer Avenue
n) Appoint of seasonal police records clerk
o) Approval of Princeton Hydro ‘Restoration Action Plan’ proposal for Lk of Lillies and authorization for Borough Administrator to execute contract
p) Approval of Adopt a Spot application with conditions
q) Permission for Chamber of Commerce to use public meeting room on 9/5/07
r) Permission for Emergency services personnel to charge for parking in municipal lots during Seafood Festival with conditions
s) Nominate Point Pleasant First Aid & Emergency Squad as outstanding volunteer EMS agency
t) Permission for Birdsall Engineering to order Inlet access walkway from Super Deck ($20,658)
u) Approval of PPB Fire Company #2 special event and OC road use applications for 100th Anniversary celebration
v) Award contract for mold remediation and repairs at Borough Hall to Nighthawk ($18,000) – Closed Session Item
w) Award contract for 3-wheel sweeper to GranTurk Equipment ($125,250) – Closed Session Item
x) Authorization to pursue negotiations with State for lease of property on west side of RR tracks adjacent to train station – Closed Session Item
VOTE: Council Members Mercun (Items a-q & t-x), Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia…YEA
Councilman Mercun (Items r-s)….Abstain
Ordinance 2007-22 (Street Opening Guarantees) was considered on first reading. Motion by Councilman Corbally, seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2007-22 was approved on first reading. Public hearing will be held September 18, 2007.
VOTE: Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Mayor Vogel: had a meeting with DOT about traffic concerns with the turnaround at Cedar Avenue – looking at solutions; talked to folks in Boston about what they do in regards to geese situation; boat parade and Inlet celebration are next Tuesday night.
Councilman Mercun: extensive media coverage regarding Jenkinson’s teen night – made 44 underage arrests since June, which were primarily brought about through Jenkinson’s security – answer is parents need to do more, not NJ transit, not police – NJ Transit has put on extra security officers – message has gotten out that we have a zero tolerance policy – hand-out will be given to parents of any teen apprehended – no problems last two weeks; steel been removed from the Seacoast Oil Property – CME is preparing testing for remedial action.
Councilman Loughran: have safety concerns with condition of Boardwalk between Central Avenue and police substation – needs to be addressed sometime between now and next summer; trees are lifting pavers where new sidewalks were installed – needs to be addressed – would like Shade Tree Commission to look at (Shade Tree Committee is going to give recommendations to building department); Chamber of Commerce looking for help with installing outlets for holiday decorations – asked that town move ahead with project of installing permanent outlets; court revenue down by $35,000, parking up by $146,000, hotel/motel tax up $15,000 and construction code fees up $23,000 from last year; received complaints from Harbor Head condominium owners about loud music at Jenkinson’s north – we need to investigate and address this issue.
Councilman Corbally: thanked Bob Eltringham and Joe Lemma for idea about putting sign at Little Silver Lake pointing people to Railroad Station lot when full; thanked Vince Castin for keeping up to speed on geese – met twice with Muskrat Jack – not much you can do, except remove geese – everything we’ve tried is not working – Districts 3 and 4 are taking a beating along with Antrim school – going to look into removal; Farmers Market is growing and expect to be able to donate $500 to Monmouth/Ocean Food Bank; Councilmen Loughran and DiCorcia, myself and Chief DePolo will meet with Jaeger Lumber and residents in District 4 on September 12th; River Avenue curbs and aprons are in – County has plans to start paving.
Councilman DiCicco: concerned with tourism report – second home residence taxes are being allocated as tourism revenue – 42.6% of homes are seasonal with taxes being counted as tourism revenue – report did not put any commercial taxes there – says average visitor spends $83 – need to make sure that’s who we attract, not visitors that are not spending – need to recognize that our tax base is heavily dependent on tourism industry – Tourism Advisory Council needs to be resurrected – going to ask anyone interested in serving to let us know – will comprise those in industry, residents, and governing body; FEMA Committee had last meeting on July 25th with County, FEMA, ISO, and DEP – authorized Owen Little to prepare flood plain management plan, to be presented in September – FEMA Committee invited by NJ Association of Flood Plain Management to participate in a seminar and give a presentation – title of our seminar is “We Did It, You Can Too"; asked NPP Coordinator Cadalzo to bring Vince Castin’s “Project Looking Good” to the attention of the town – in July gave out 80 warning notices for overgrown grass, garbage spills, etc. – used to have a certified applicator for the removal of weeds on staff – asked Administrator Riehl to look into anyone interested in getting certified (Mayor Vogel: on the Tourism Commission – they are reappointed annually and it is an existing body – suggested that Clerk Ellsworth send a letter to current members of the group to see if they are still interested in serving).
Councilman Dixon: have to also check out Wharfside patio bar, as well as the North Pavilion, due to recent complaints received.
Councilman DiCorcia: checked with Building Department concerning the Wharfside – they have live music and armed guards – size of bar has almost doubled and seating is 30 – 40% greater – made improvements to make structurally sound so didn’t need site plan approval – no bathrooms – causing problem with our police department.
Councilman Dixon: newspaper racks been checked out by code enforcement and have been notified – six racks at Bay and Laurel have been removed and no longer block view; drawings on “Om Baby Yoga” building look more like graffiti – will talk to Borough Attorney; received feedback from business owners in town regarding signage – they would like to use A-frame signs – looking at Wall Township’s sign ordinance; while out for a re-inspection, inspector noticed a bad deck on a rental home and contacted tenants and owner, possibly averting a dangerous situation; tackling problem of overcrowding in homes – would like to get aggressive – think that when overcrowding summons are issued, they should not be downgraded or combined with other summons – we need to send a strong message; this week is the Autism Run.
Mayor Vogel: last year we discussed an ordinance concerning rental registration – maybe this should be revisited.
Councilman DiCorcia: there is a serious dip in the road at Niblick and Baltimore – asked Administrator Riehl to look into; dangerous intersection at St. Louis and Arnold Avenue, with seven accidents over the last two years; 20 accidents, since January 2005, at Route 35 and Forman Avenue – discussed with Freeholder Lacey and County will make a recommendation – Chief will handle follow-up; thanked Borough crew for helping child that was hurt coming off boardwalk – thanked Flynn and crew for fixing that area; thanked crew for moving the Wilkins memorial bench back to the proper location; waiting to get prices on the Stop signs with the glow below; Officer Nase was injured making arrest and will be out for awhile.
Administrator Riehl: applied for ‘Safe Routes to School’ grant money – 274 applications received with only 29 selected – we were not one of the 29; County is painting crosswalks at Water Street, Ocean and Boston Avenues, and Broadway – will also install Pedestrian Crossing sign at St. Louis and Broadway; annual boat parade is scheduled for Tuesday, August 28th; Off-Shore Power Boat Race on September 7th – 9th, with parade on the 7th; moving ahead with Harvard Avenue bulkhead off Randall Avenue – received quotes under bid threshold; concerned with too many buses in front of aquarium – letter was sent to Jenkinson’s; received complaints about the dumpsters at the White Sands and the Carousel Inn.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD OPENED AT 9:12 P.M.
Max Gagnon, 304 Parkway: asked how long the $1,000 fee, proposed in Ordinance 2007-22, would be held (until inspection performed after road closed up – about a year); when Tim Lurie sat on Council, I brought up the contractor with too much fill on property at south end of Ocean Avenue (this was okayed, due to sewer lines); what type of platform will be at the jetty (an ADA mat that rolls out and up again); spoke to Coast Guard concerning property that is fenced off – asked them to research title (researched title and owned by condominium people).
Francis Lobravico, 517 Riverwood Avenue, Point Pleasant: thanked the town for its continued support of the Disabled American Veterans’ “Forget Me Not” drive on the Boardwalk – first Thursday was rained out, but since then have garnered over $3,000 – there are 3 Veterans homes and two VA hospitals, in New Jersey, which receive the profits from these sales – last year gave $2,000 to each of the nursing homes and $1,000 each to the hospitals; our sincerest thanks to you and would like to arrange to present you with Certificates of Appreciation in November.
Joe Feeley, 1809 Beacon Lane: have problem in my neighborhood, just North of Maryland Avenue beach access – new family moved in and put up gates blocking our access to beach (Administrator Reihl: Attorney Starkey and I spoke to homeowner and padlock was removed last Friday – should provide copy of your deed to Borough attorney – can use walkway to the north of Goffo property at town’s public access site).
Ted Sobieski, 26 Trenton Ave: sent a letter regarding the tax assessment on my property (Attorney Starkey: Governing Body does not have the ability to reduce assessment – that is the purview of the County Tax Court).
Joe Lemma, 203 St. Louis Avenue: asked that there be a different police officer at these meetings that residents could speak with about their concerns.
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: thanked Mayor and Council on behalf of the Beautification Committee for sprinklers; asked about investigating Smart Growth Town Designation (common with bigger development projects); thanked Councilman Mercun for looking into problems with teen night; regarding Councilman DiCicco’s comments about looking for a higher end tourist, stated that the means businesses use to attract these tourists have a negative impact on the residents and town; thanked Governing Body for response to the tourism report; thanked Clerk Ellsworth for commenting on closed session resolutions.
Ben Dispoto, 311 Parkway: surprising that court revenue is down – good to hear parking revenue up; heard on news that if a felony is committed, an immigration status check is required (normal police procedure to do a background check – every town has its own procedure – State looking to make this uniform).
Vince Castin, 15 Trenton Avenue: eliminated ten parking spaces by Jaeger Lumber for trucks to use – bothered because we need every parking space we can get – trucks not there on weekends anyway (eliminated spots near Railroad Lot – which is only half full on any given day – switched so would stage off of residential streets); thanked Governing Body for keeping up with geese solutions.
John Szafranski, 319 Yale Avenue: asked if permit was required for Teen Night – these teens have no where to go afterwards – at 11:00 and 12:00, they walk down Boardwalk and streets making noise (not so sure Teen Night is as much of an attraction as just the Boardwalk – will look into curfew); complained about parking on Ocean Avenue in front of aquarium (letter went to Jenkinson’s).
Vince Barrella, 116 Niblick Street: regarding tourism report, objected to inclusion of seasonal property taxes in tourism base – flaw is assumption that the property would not be subject to taxes if not seasonal – same flaw with commercial property taxes – town derives approximately 1/3 of a penny from tourism for every $1 in tourism generated; need to focus on revenue sources.
Jim Wisniewski, 1403 St. Louis Avenue: regarding safety issues with people running stop signs, which was mentioned by Councilman DiCorcia, arrows are painted on the road on Washington Avenue designating which way motorists can go – suggested painting ‘Stop’ and ‘No Left Turn’ directly on the roads.
Kathleen Foley, 115 Randall Avenue: recycling is picked up once a week – need some sort of innovative solution there; suggested putting in vegetation to prevent geese from landing and taking off; complained about trees being sawed down around Little Silver Lake; suggested signs to promote groups playing at band shell; asked if portable walkway at the jetty could be made permanent (will be there on permanent basis, but removable in case of storm).
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD CLOSED AT 10:07 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 P.M.
