Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Open Space Advisory Committee
May 8th, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Present: Tony Novo, Pete Ritchings, Cary Mulkeen, Anne Lightburn, Erica Susko and Council Liaison Doug Vitale
Absent: Greg Cox, Maryann Ellsworth, Sal Pepe and Council Liaison Arlene Testa
Due to Glen’s absence, Anne Lightburn chaired the meeting and called it to order at 7:05 pm. The April meeting minutes were approved as submitted with one spelling correction.
Doug Vitale reported that the borough is going out to bid on designs for Inlet access improvements. A major issue to be addressed is the washing out of the fishing area along the bulk head with sand and rocks being washed up on the parking lot.
The commission discussed ideas that might be beneficial and asked that a memo be sent to the council for their consideration. Those ideas are:
- Position the parking lot benches forward toward the Inlet so people walking along that narrow passageway do not have to walk, as they do now, in front of people sitting on the bench.
- Design ADA compliant access for those wanting to fish.
- Consider changing the entrance and exit to the parking lot as to redirect traffic to enter at the west (currently the exit) and exit at the east. This would allow the restriping of the parking spots so that cars face the ocean.
- Consider life saving and safety measures, such as life rings, in the event that someone falls into the Inlet.
Doug also reported that there will be work on paving and re-pitching of the Little League fields to improve field drainage.
Doug reported that the borough is considering purchasing the Coast Guard Station. After much discussion about costs and proposed uses, the committee voted unanimously to recommend not purchasing the Coast Guard Station.
The reasons for not recommending were based on the costs to purchase, bring it up to code, renovate and the ongoing annual maintenance, heating/cooling, cleaning and any staffing required. Parking was viewed as a significant limiting factor for use. The total lack of any onsite parking was viewed as a critical factor that would severely limit the buildings use as a museum, meeting and event space. The costs outweigh the potential use benefits. Additionally, the building is on the New Jersey State Registry of Historic Places, which does provide some protections to prohibit significant alteration or demolition in the event that it was purchased by a non-profit or private owner.
Anne will draft a memo for the committee’s review prior to sending to the council.
There was discussion of the six marina storage lots between Broadway and Channel Drive just east of Boatyard 401. Due to the size of the property, the commission viewed this as a site for recreation purposes – both active and passive. There was a uniamous vote to recommend that the council consider acquisition.
The committee discussed 419 Trenton Ave. as a potential future acquisition to link the Little League Field with Pleasure Park. This property is on the Open Space and Recreation Plan but currently not for sale. The commission voted to recommend that the council send a letter of interest with a request for the right of first refusal.
Anne will draft memos on both properties to be send to the committee for their review, prior to sending to the council.
Meeting adjourned 8:35 pm
