Resident doesn’t want borough to “go down in character to Beachwood or Berkeley”
Rudolph Rinderer, Jr. appeared before the borough land use
board last week to apply for a minor subdivision on this property,
located across from Pine Beach Elementary's eastern access on
Pennsylvania Avenue. Three neighbors also present voiced their
concerns over the application.
Pine Beach - Tempers flared last week when borough residents from Pennsylvania and Linden avenues openly challenged the borough planning board from approving Harbor Court resident and area builder Rudolph “Rudy” Rinderer, Jr. for a minor lot subdivision on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Monument Road.
The property is located across from the eastern Pennsylvania Avenue access for Pine Beach Elementary School, at 707 Monument Road, block 87, lots 40 and 46 through 50.
According to Board Engineer Jack Mallon, the application proposed the consolidation of the six lots into two new ones, 40.01 and 40.02, with each to be 9,375 square feet and hold lot sizes of 75 feet by 125 feet, which conforms to the R75 zone it is located. The new lots were approved by the borough tax assessor prior to the meeting, pending the board’s decision.
The existing home on the property, a 1,875 square foot, one-story “Executive Ranch” model from the mid-twentieth century, will remain unaltered in its location as new lot 40.02.
Mr. Rinderer called it a “pretty simple subdivision.”
“It is one of our standard [ones],” agreed Mark Wagner, who was nominated and appointed board vice-chair earlier in the evening following the resignation of Melvin Winge. Board Chairman Jay Pierson stepped down for the application due to a possible conflict of interest.
Mr. Rinderer commented that a couple had already come to see the existing house, and didn’t like the shortened backyard due to the proposed subdivision.
“I said it was the same size as the Beachwood one on the corner,” he said.
Pennsylvania Avenue residents Tom and Kerry Russoniello, who live directly next to the proposed subdivided lot that Mr. Rinderer plans to build a new home on, said that was precisely the problem.
“I’m generally disheartened to hear that we're all very happy to be conforming to Beachwood and Bayville,” said Mr. Russoniello. “In general, I thought we had a community that wanted to be a little bit more special than that, but that’s fine.”
He brought in a display featuring photographic blow-ups showing the surrounding homes on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the elementary school.
“Everybody knows the golden rule of real estate is location, location, location,” the Pennsylvania Avenue resident continued. “Most realize location has components that supersede simple geography. The character of community is key to maintain high property values – that’s what I believe is at stake here [with the] subdivided property and the building proposed on that.”
Mr. Russoniello added that Pine Beach is “a beautiful bucolic little community that has not fallen to sprawl or to congestion.”
He argued that the construction of a type of home he stated Mr. Rinderer was known throughout the area for, namely a tall two-story single family home, would not fit the character of the immediate surrounding homes in the area and would be “out of character of the area with a different proportion of surrounding land to the house” and that this “is the type of thing that could take the character of this street down to where it would be closer to a Beachwood or a Berkeley.”
"Either one, take your pick, it’s why I don’t live there,” said Mr. Russoniello’s wife, Kerry, from the back of the room.
“I also build ranch houses, too,” replied Mr. Rinderer, who sat toward the front of the room, listening to his neighbor speak.
“That’s great, I’d love to see a ranch house there,” said Mr. Russoniello, before turning back to his prepared material.
The Pennsylvania Avenue resident continued to criticize the development of municipalities surrounding Pine Beach Borough.
“To some, [these issues] seem like petty issues. If that is the case, take a ride though some of our neighboring towns [and see] when things are left unchecked,” he said, reading off a piece of literature he stated was part of an “initiative on keeping the character of our town something special.”
“We see this as quality of life issues that affect everyone - property values in town will go down across the board with these types of issues,” Mr. Russoniello went on. “Together we can all ensure that Pine Beach… maintains its luster as the jewel of the Toms River, but that jewel, which is special, could just as easily turn into a piece of cheap costume jewelry.”
He finished by arguing that Mr. Rinderer, as a developer, did not have an interest in the character of the neighborhood.
“The character of this street, this neighborhood and this community may not be the concern of builders who are developing it, but it should be the concern of this borough and its officials,” the Pennsylvania Avenue resident concluded.
A moment passed before Mr. Rinderer responded.
“How many years have you lived in this town?” he asked.
“Twenty,” said Mr. Russonello.
“I have lived here 52 years,” replied Mr. Rinderer, “and I probably built mostly ranch homes in this town.”
“I’ll also tell you that on my internet site next week, you’ll see advertised a ranch house on that lot to be built,” he continued. “I rode down that street many times and know a ranch would look a lot better. I’m gonna try to push a ranch house there very strongly.”
“Why say try?” asked Mr. Russoniello.
“I think it belongs there, but I can only do so much,” Mr. Rinderer said, noting that if a buyer was insistent on a larger, two-story home within the buildable parameters as permitted by the borough, then that will be what goes up, but added that if Mr. Russoniello was interested in buying it to be built as a ranch, then he should give him a call.
“I might want to buy it,” the Pennsylvania Avenue resident replied.
The developer said that he felt most builders took more care than not to ensure the homes they build in Pine Beach Borough fit into the character of the area, and that he was “100 percent” glad Mr. Russoniello was concerned with the character of the borough.
“Mr. Russoniello, you are aware that the lot is conforming?” said Mr. Mallon.
The Pennsylvania Avenue resident said he was and that prior to purchasing his current property, he lived on a smaller-sized lot on Buhler Avenue, but still wanted to know if the borough could limit Mr. Rinderer from building a two-story home.
Mr. Mallon replied that the borough did not have the ability to limit the house to one-story, as the ordinance only states that the home can not exceed 35 feet in height.
“We are locked in as to what we can approve,” he said. “Sometimes the board is backed in to where they might not like it, but I think if they denied it they would go to court and they would lose.”
“He is 100 percent accurate - for minor subdivisions, boards are limited,” confirmed Land Use Board Attorney Kevin Sheehy.
Linden Avenue resident Paul Ferrigno commented on the application, citing concerns about drainage and the general neighborhood aesthetics should a larger home be built.
“I’d really love to hear that’s what you’re gonna build - a ranch,” he said. “I would have no problem whatsoever if it was a ranch.”
“I would love to be able to commit to it, believe me, and I can’t,” Mr. Rinderer replied, “but I am pushing a ranch house on that lot – that’s what I’m definitely gonna do.”
“Mr. Rinderer could build a ranch house, he could sell it and they could put on a second floor,” pointed out Mr. Wagner. “Changes go on all the time – there’s nothing that we could do.”
The vice chairman continued that at some point years before he began serving on the land use board, he came in with a question very similar to the current issue over the character of Pine Beach, and said that Mr. Mallon looked into the style of homes such as Mr. Russoniello live in as well as lot sizes. The board engineer’s analysis turned up the fact that the home style, commonly referred to as the “Executive Ranch” and popular in the mid-twentieth century, exists in about 28 or 29 homes within the borough on larger lots of land of about 150 to 175 feet, but that smaller, cabin-sized homes closer to the river and originating with the start of the town in the early twentieth-century do as well, thus creating a more diverse character to the town.
“I share your concerns, and I hope that Mr. Rinderer, as a developer, is able to secure a client who will come in and say, ‘I want a ranch,’” he said. “But just like anything else, has to provide a product to the client, and the client is paying the bills. There is nothing in our ordinance that precludes him from building a two-story home if that’s what a buyer comes in for.”
“Everything else with the application really falls in line with what our laws require,” Mr. Wagner added. “Our minimum-sized property is 75 feet by 125 feet.”
Board Member Joseph Boyle stated that the various aspects present in the borough’s ordinances were researched and developed over time in order to cover the diverse pre-existing home and lot size conditions present while maintaining the character of the town.
“Our ordinances were written to withstand legal challenges,” he said. “Over the years, [they have] withstood several legal challenges.”
The board member admitted, however, that even he wasn’t sure that a home would fit in the proposed subdivision.
“I went back and said there’s probably nothing we can do,” he concluded. “That lot is a legal building lot and conforms to everything we have in place.”
Robert Budesa, borough councilman and council liaison to the land use board, made a motion to approve that was seconded by Board Member Jerry Barnet.
Nearly each member of the board explained their vote as roll call was read.
“I sympathize – I have been in this town almost 50 years and I don’t like change either, but we have a legal application creating two legal lots and the law is very clear on what we have to do,” said Mayor Christopher Boyle. “Yes.”
“I echo Mayor Boyle’s comments – hopefully Mr. Rinderer will put a ranch on that property and keep it in the character of neighborhood,” said Mr. Budesa. “I also echo Mr. Russoniello and Mr. Ferrigno’s comments on Pine Beach, and the way I feel about Pine Beach and why, and I’ve lived here about 40 years – yes.”
“I recognize your concern – there’s a contextual change going on in Pine Beach,” said Mr. Wagner. “It is development and the fact of the matter is everything fits within zoning laws.”
“We're gonna see more of it as executive ranches go and legal subdivisions come in,” he continued. “I think that actually we're blessed we have Mr. Rinderer with this application, we do know the quality of home that he builds and his commitment to the community – yes.”
“I’m also voting yes because the legal directive was very clear to us,” said Board Member Christine Lill. “This is two conforming lots and because of the way our ordinances are, regarding the Monument Road and Pennsylvania Avenue property, there is no nonconformity created with the existing house on property.”
“I would encourage Mr. Rinderer to try to do that ranch because I appreciate the neighbor’s statement, and agree, in fact, it is all one- story dwellings around the property,” she added. “A one-story dwelling would enhance, or at least not detract from the neighborhood.”
Mr. Boyle voted yes with no further comment.
“Yes, I agree with a lot of the things that were said,” replied Mr. Barnet. “I was also living in a one-story neighborhood – not in Beachwood, in Toms River – and when one person built up, a lot built up.”
“I like that at least Rudy said he’s gonna try to sell it as a single story, but that doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “As a builder you gotta make a living and I vote yes.”
The application unanimously passed.
The next meeting of the land use board will be on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:30 pm in borough hall.
Real Estate Report with Robert Suarez
April 11, 2010
Pine Beach - This is the real estate report for single-family homes in Pine Beach for March 2010.
There are 3.75 months of inventory (months to sell present inventory at present sales rate), 20 active listings with an average list of $330,339 spending an average 77 days on the market.
Throughout the month, there were 10 new listings carrying an average list price of $339,538. The number of new listings for March of last year was 3; however, the average list price was $521,333, indicating a drop in the pricings of new listings over the course of the past year.
Zero homes are presently pending. Last March there was one pending sale with a list price of $454,000 and 150 days on the market.
There were four sales this March, carrying an average list price of $292,087 and a final average sale price of $279,125 after spending 121 days on the market. Last March, there was one with a list price of $290,100 and a final sale price of $285,000 after spending nine days on the market.
Zero homes listed are expired. One home listed expired last March, after spending 181 days on the market and holding a list price of $775,000.
Judging the numbers, my opinion is that the market in Pine Beach has made a fabulous turnaround - with four sales this month - but ten new listings have offset the gains by the sales.
Robert Suarez is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty and an independent real estate correspondent for the Riverside Signal. For more information, he can be reached at Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty’s Toms River office, located at 1541 Route 37 East, 732-270-6100 or through e-mail at robert.suarez@coldwellbanker.com and online at www.robertsuarez.net.
Disclaimer: The author of these articles has not received any compensation, in any form, from any and all entities mentioned. All information was gathered from the Monmouth/Ocean M.L.S. All opinions are that of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Coldwell Banker and/or Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty or the Riverside Signal.
Scenes Along the River
March 28, 2010
Earlier this week, two ducks decided to visit Pine Beach
Borough and stroll along Riverwalk.
This beach shelter, located at the end of Avon Road in Pine
Beach Borough, sustained severe damage during winter storms that also
washed away much of the beach that once surrounded it.
Common design elements can still be seen in these once-twin
Avon Road bungalows, built in the early twentieth century.
The Pine Beach Fire Company's memorial stands at the corner
of Prospect and Hillside avenues, and lists the names of 60 men and
women who served Pine Beach Borough as fire company volunteers in its
85 years of service and since passed.
Avon Beach Erosion Issue Debated
Boro looks into hiring professional
Pine Beach Borough's swimming beach at Avon Road
and Riverside Drive was decimated by the fierce storm that struck our
area on Saturday, March 13th, causing heavy erosion and flooding.
March 28, 2010
by Steven J. Baeli
Pine Beach - The long-running problem of erosion at Avon Beach was the focus of a special meeting on March 25th, here, when the borough mayor and council members, who have struggled with the issue for a number of years, decided to seek professional assistance before moving ahead with any plans to protect the swimming area.
The location in question lies in a particularly low area along the southern shore of the Toms River that allows for easy flooding and the loss of most of the beach sand, which was further aggravated by the rash of storms that the borough has endured over the past winter.
Two options discussed during Thursday night’s meeting were to reclaim the sand by dredging the river and either putting it back on the beach or into stacked “Geotubes” (sand filled polyethylene tubes), or to install a bulkhead along the shoreline, effectively prevent swimming at that particular location.
Neither the mayor nor anyone on the council were interested in losing the borough’s bathing beach, but they agreed that simply replacing the sand would not be a permanent solution, which they stated to be an essential feature for any plan.
“Bulkheading is about $175 per linear foot,” explained Mayor Christopher Boyle, “and there is 700 feet from Avon pier to New Jersey Pier.”
Using Geotubes may not provide an answer either.
“[They] don’t really work well in the long-term,” Mayor Boyle said.
The cost of such a major undertaking in the current economic climate may make the project unattainable, though currently the borough has $250,000 in low-interest loans from New Jersey’s Green Acres program that may help if funding can be shifted to the Avon Beach project.
“That came from CMX [Engineering],” said Mary Jane Steib, the borough’s chief financial officer, “but we would have to change the focus of the grant.”
CMX Engineering, a large engineering firm that once serviced many local government entities, recently announced its closing as of May 11th, leaving many officials to wonder about the successive impact on projects such as the Avon Beach erosion issues.
Also at issue during the meeting was the removal or replacement of the beach shelter pavilion located at Avon Beach, the concrete foundation of which was seriously undermined during the erosion process.
“If we want to keep the pavilion, we’re better off to remove the concrete, dig some pilings and build the pavilion on a deck,” said Mayor Boyle. “It would be more sturdy as far as future storms.”
Councilman Robert Budesa inspected the structure and the current state of the beach erosion and stated that replacing the pavilion was secondary to the overall problem.
The playground area of Pine Beach Borough's
swimming beach at Avon Road and Riverside Drive was completely washed
out by the fierce storm that struck our area on Saturday, March 13th,
causing the borough to remove some of the playground equipment that
remained partially under water in the days following the storm.
“I think trying to restore the gazebo at this point is like putting a band-aid on something - most of that beach is eroding away to the point where we may not have a beach,” he said. “Needless to say, we may not have a walkway or the roadway if they start becoming subjected to that, so if that is the case, I think we need to think a little bigger about how to work on preservation and restoration.”
Boy Scout and borough resident Ethan Henbest attended the meeting to offer his services in the restoration projects as an Eagle Scout, explaining that planting dune grass would help to temporarily alleviate the erosion. Upon review of the overall damage to the beach, especially during the recent March 13th storms, however, it was agreed to put off that phase of the project until the larger aspects could be assessed and mitigated by a professional.
Councilwoman Barbara O’Brien suggested that they seek a professional who specializes in the field to help them make such an important decision.
The mayor and council agreed and tabled the issue until such an opinion could be obtained.
“Tidal action always has an effect,” said Mayor Boyle. “It’s very hard to fight nature.”
The next regular meeting of the borough council will take place on Wednesday, April 14th at 7:30pm in borough hall.
Pine Beach Offers Free Rabies Clinic
March 23, 2010
Pine Beach - The borough will be sponsoring a free rabies clinic at the public works garage on Station Avenue this Saturday, March 27th, from noon to 3pm for anyone who needs to have their animals’ vaccinations updated. The clinic is open to the general public and is not limited to Pine Beach residents.
For those with proof of last year’s shot, their pet will receive a three-year vaccination. If no proof of a previous inoculation is available, then a one-year vaccination will be administered.
Easter Egg Hunt at Windy Cove
March 23, 2010
Pine Beach - The borough will hold an Easter egg hunt at Windy Cove this Sunday, March 28th, beginning at 1 pm.
Participating children will be treated to a visit from the Easter Bunny, who has hidden 1200 eggs for them to find. Those in attendance who find one of 10 Golden Eggs will receive a basket of Easter goodies.
Borough Police Chief Reminds Citizens to Stay Alert
March 23, 2010
by Steven J. Baeli
Pine Beach - Due to break-ins at two private homes over the past two weeks, Borough Police Chief John Sgro has asked that residents of the borough be alert and to not hesitate reporting any activity that they think might be suspicious.
“Even if you wish to remain anonymous, please call us if you see something,” he said.
The break-ins, which occurred on Riverside Drive and Lincoln Street respectively, may have been prevented.
“In both cases the homeowners forgot to secure their homes,” stated Chief Sgro. “Please remember to lock your doors.”
Scenes Along the River
March 18, 2010
The Ocean County College Sailing Team could be seen practicing from the Henley Avenue dock during recent mild weather.
Workers from Greenwood Construction installed electrical lines on the porch of a New Jersey Avenue bungalow during recent mild weather.
Severe Storm Brings High Wind, Erosion March 16th, 2010
Emergency responders along the Toms River, such as these seen on Linden Avenue at the Pine Beach/Beachwood border, jumped into action as a fierce storm ripped down trees and power lines and caused flooding, beach erosion and other damage across the region last Saturday, March 13, 2010.
High winds toppled trees across the area, including this pitch pine found on Linden Avenue at the Pine Beach/Beachwood border, during a fierce storm last Saturday, March 13, 2010 that also caused flooding, beach erosion and other damage in the region.
The Pine Beach Volunteer Fire Company, shown here with Engine 3811, arrived on the scene of a fallen tree at the Beachwood/Pine Beach border on Linden Avenue this past Saturday, March 13, 2010. A fierce storm struck the Toms River area earlier that day, causing flooding, beach erosion and other related damage in the region.
The Pine Beach Volunteer Fire Company parking lot was partially full with the cars of members who were off responding to numerous calls for service for fallen trees and downed utility lines during the fierce storm that landed on the Toms River area last Saturday, March 13, 2010. The storm caused flooding, beach erosion and other damage across the county.
A large tree was seen uprooted beside to this Avon Road home in Pine Beach during the fierce storm that struck the region last Saturday, March 13, 2010, which caused flooding, beach erosion and other damage throughout the county.
Real Estate Report with Robert Suarez
for Pine Beach
March 8, 2010
Pine Beach - This is the real estate report for single-family homes in Pine Beach for February 2010.
There are 22.66 months of inventory (months to sell present inventory at present sales rate), 10 active listings with an average list of $324,149 spending an average 102 days on the market.
Last month, there were two new listings carrying an average list price of $224,950. The number of new listings for February of last year was five, and they carried an average list price of $326,920.
One home is presently pending with a list value of $424,950 after 79 days on the market. During the same month last year, one home was pending with a list value of $437,000 after 181 days on the market.
Zero homes were sold this February. One home was sold last February for $269,900 after being listed for $280,100 and spending 12 days on the market.
Three homes listed expired after an average of 155 days on the market and holding an average list price of $449,333. Last February, two homes listed expired after an average of 320 days on the market and holding an average list price of $441,000.
Judging the numbers, my opinion is that the market in Pine Beach is hard hit. With inventory at almost 23 months the future should show further drops in home values. This is reflected in the average list price of new listings.
Robert Suarez is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty and an independent real estate correspondent for the Riverside Signal. For more information, he can be reached at Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty’s Toms River office, located at 1541 Route 37 East, 732-270-6100 or through e-mail at robert.suarez@coldwellbanker.com and online at www.robertsuarez.net.
Disclaimer: The author of these articles has not received any compensation, in any form, from any and all entities mentioned. All information was gathered from the Monmouth/Ocean M.L.S. All opinions are that of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Coldwell Banker and/or Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty or the Riverside Signal.
Mayor Christopher J. Boyle, a tribute.
February 27, 2010
by Erik J. Weber
Pine Beach - Recently submitted for placement within the Riverside Signal's Pine Beach newsstream is this bit of local art - the first of hopefully many on our site - of Pine Beach Borough Mayor Christopher J. Boyle (who submitted it in the first place per request by this reporter upon learning of it).
The artist, Mayor Boyle said, was his nephew, Derek Rizzo, a resident of Barnegat Boulevard in Beachwood.
"I was very proud when my nephew created this as his school assignment on a person that he admires," the mayor stated. "It was an excellent likeness until I shaved off my 30-plus-year-old moustache in October."
The caption attached to this tribute to his uncle reads, "Mayor Christopher Boyle - Mayor Boyle works hard for the town. When he was a boy, he went to Pine Beach Elementary. He enjoys comic books and old cartoons. He also likes to play bass guitar."
Local residents or schools interested in submitting samples of local artwork may write riversidesignal@gmail.com
Boro Council Votes Down Allowing Dogs on Riverwalk
Policy ordinance fails 3 to 2
Footprints and pawprints were seen in the snow covering Pine Beach Borough's "Riverwalk" boardwalk earlier this week. An ordinance barring dogs from the span was reaffirmed in a 3-2 vote by the borough council on Monday night.
February 27, 2010
by Steven J. Baeli
Pine Beach - Dog owners wishing to walk their pets along the western section of the waterfront will have to remain off the borough’s “Riverwalk” boardwalk walkway that runs along the beach from Pocket Park at Motor Road east to a few dozen feet before the New Jersey Avenue dock.
After some public comment and a varied council debate during Monday night’s borough council meeting, here, the council rejected a proposed ordinance that would have allowed dogs on the beachside boardwalk span by a vote of 3 to 2.
Before council members made their comments, Mayor Christopher Boyle opened the floor to public comment, during which time two concerned citizens spoke out against the ordinance, citing unhealthy sanitary conditions and the potential for lawsuits from dog bites.
“The river is finally getting some kind of clean-up. I think it’s a bad idea, period. It is not needed,” said borough resident James Lynch. “Dogs are not people. They should be separated.”
Stephan Bortko, the borough’s public works supervisor, spoke as a borough citizen and expressed safety concerns.
“If a dog doesn’t like you, and you go to pet the dog, or a child goes to pet the dog and the dog nips the child, whose liability is it?” he asked.
Following the public comment portion of the meeting, members of the council weighed in.
"If I remember correctly, the only reason that they were considering [the ordinance] is not for pleasure or for the dogs’ access, but was more for safety reasons,” said Councilman Richard Polhemus, “especially coming around Motor Road onto Riverside in that one little section there, which is kind of a blind spot. I think that was really the determining factor that was discussed.”
“I don’t think this was to cater to dogs, I think this was to cater to dog owners and their safety,” Councilwoman Barbara O’Brien said. “I think the concern was walking along Riverside. When we put the riverwalk in, a big part of it was that it’s dangerous at times walking [on the roadway]. Dog owners are part of this community too. I don’t think that dogs belong on the beach, but we’re talking about walking along Riverside.”
During Monday night's Pine Beach Borough Council meeting, Mayor Christopher J. Boyle, center, discusses the proposed ordinance change of allowing dogs on the riverwalk boardwalk with council members.
Voting in favor of the ordinance was Ms. O’Brien and Lawrence Cuneo, the borough council president. Councilmen Robert Budesa, Patrick Sheehan, and Mr. Polhemus voted against it.
In his final remarks of the evening, Mr. Cuneo thanked those who came out to speak on the subject, and pointed out that while he was not happy that the ordinance did not pass, “this is the way the system is supposed to work. We have discussion about it and talk civilly to each other. We don’t yell at each other and we respect each other and the public who have given their opinion on it.”
The council also unanimously passed Ordinance 10-01-677, which corrected a contradiction in the law concerning “Dogs and Other Animals,” that allowed animals on the beaches and in the parks in one section, but disallowed it in another.
Scenes Along the River
Week of February 22- 26, 2010
One local resident, shown here, decided to use his lunch hour for a run along Riverside Drive in Pine Beach Borough.
This Henley Avenue home, shown here, was first built in 1909 by Roy Hutchinson for Rev. August Pohlman.
Resident Cites Issues with Snowed In Lincoln Avenue
Caregivers of Elderly Resident Could Not Leave
Riverside Drive shelter overlooking the frozen Toms River, Winter 2010.
January 15, 2010
by Erik Weber
Pine Beach - During a meeting of the borough mayor and council, here, Tuesday night, Monument Road resident Dr. Susan Halsey, medical advocate for a 94-year-old Lincoln Avenue woman, called attention to poor road conditions during the December 19th snowstorm that prevented a caregiver changeover and could have made it difficult for emergency services to arrive, had a medical emergency arisen.
"Mrs. [Elaine] O'Neill is quite frail [and] has twenty-four hour care now," said Dr. Halsey, adding that on the night of the snowstorm, which dumped over two feet of snow on the coastal mid-Ocean County area on December 19th and 20th, she had to oversee a caregiver changeover that involved the husband of one caregiver coming down from Long Island to pick his wife up.
"Everything was fine until about six or six-thirty," the doctor stated. "I have a Saab, it's a Swedish car, and I have no problem with six inches of snow, but after dinner it came down in buckets [and] there was so much snow on Lincoln Avenue that I got stuck going out."
She noted that on under normal circumstances, she would go to Mrs. O'Neill's home twice a day.
When the primary caregiver's husband arrived from New York and picked up his wife, he, too, got stuck on Lincoln Avenue.
"We had to sleep everybody over [that night] because you couldn't move on that street," said Dr. Halsey, continuing that while the area rarely gets such a high snow accumulation, she was aware of another local resident who cares for his elderly mother and was concerned over emergency services' ability to access borough homes if emergency calls occurred. "Is there any way that this town has a priority or emergency list that keeps a watch on the frail and elderly during times like that?"
"We do have a list," replied borough police Chief John Sgro, noting that any borough resident can fill out a form that the police department would keep on file for such emergencies. "If you were to have a problem [and] we would have had to send an ambulance in, we would have pulled a plow truck and had them escort the ambulance right to the door to make sure it is cleared."
The police chief added that the same goes for any emergency call requiring an ambulance during a snowstorm or emergency situation.
Mayor Christopher Boyle added that despite the rare conditions created by the December snowstorm, he felt the borough public works crew "did a pretty amazing job, all things considered."
And in other news of the Pine Beach Borough Council:
The mayor and council, along with honoring the twenty-one Americans who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts during December 2009, paid special remembrance to recently deceased resident Diane Wilhelm and former resident Julia Masciangelo. Ms. Masciangelo was the wife of the longtime late Admiral Farragut Academy graduate and, later, public relations officer William R. Masciangelo, Sr., who served the school in that capacity while recording its history until his death in 1985. Admiral Farragut Academy was closed at the end of the 1993-94 school year due to a large budget deficit as a result of declining attendance. The school buildings were found largely unsalvageable following years of deferred maintenance, and the campus was razed earlier in the last decade to make way for the public rededication of its football field and bluff as Vista Park, with the remainder sold to the Toll Brothers, who built a cluster of large, luxury-style homes there. A sister campus of Admiral Farragut Academy, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, and founded in 1945 by the same school leaders who began the Pine Beach main campus in 1933, remains in operation today.
The borough council opened its second public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). No comment was heard, but the meeting agenda stated that "one application to improve handicap access to borough facilities is being considered."
Members of the public present during the meeting expressed interest in developing a community-wide response to the Haiti earthquake tragedy, and Mayor Boyle stated that the "best thing is for individuals to donate to one of the organizations, [like] the Red Cross."
Borough Police Chief John Sgro warned borough residents to mitigate the dangers of black ice while driving by being aware and taking caution, especially when large snow piles could melt into the roadway during daylight hours and create the hard-to-see black ice during the overnight freeze.
The borough council introduced two ordinances that would amend the Pine Beach Borough codes regarding "dogs and other animals" and "beaches, recreation, and open space." Mayor Boyle declined comment on these ordinances before they reached their second reading and public hearing at the next borough council meeting, taking place Wednesday, February 10th at 7:30pm in borough hall.
Councilwoman Barbara O'Brien, speaking to those present about borough council meetings, stated that "it's nice to see people here and it's nice when people do come and have suggestions; it's civil, and it's pleasant, and it's good to be here - if you want more exciting meetings there are surrounding towns that have a lot more yelling and screaming," and added further personal pride for Pine Beach Borough. It is well known that Beachwood Borough has been going through a tumultuous period in its borough meetings as a faction of residents there oppose many of the actions of Democrats Mayor Ron Jones and his running mate, Councilwoman Katina Clark, who were elected in a surprise victory over standing Republicans Mayor Hal Morris and Councilman Gerald W. LaCrosse in the November 2007 election. The fighting rose to such a pitch that, on August 29th, 2008, the running conflict was covered by national daily newspaper the New York Times. It is not the first time that charged events in Beachwood were heard in Pine Beach - a January 29, 1915 blurb in the now-defunct newspaper, the Ocean County Review, written while streets in Beachwood were being cleared by crews led by its co-founder and planner, Addison Doane Nickerson, stated: "it is pretty quiet here this winter, but we can hear the dynamite charges exploding at Beachwood without paying admission."
According to the treasurer's report, the borough's general account balance as of December 1, 2009 totaled $1,500,086.30. Receipts for the month totaled $116,620.36, and disbursements $450,790.46. The account balance as of December 31, 2009 totaled $1,165, 916.20. The Water Utility account balance as of December 1, 2009 was $86,306.78, with receipts for the month totaling $35,297.24 and disbursements $11,609.49, for an end month balance of $109,994.53. The Sewer Utility account balance as of December 1, 2009 was $47,815.13, with receipts for the month totaling $52,349.37 and disbursements $27,316.82 for an end month balance of $72,847.68.
According to the miscellaneous revenue report for the month of December 2009, the borough received $28.00 in license fees, $90.00 in permit fees, $590.25 in general fees, $2,390.04 in grants, $6,712.12 in reports (municipal court fines, etc.), and $12,508.39 in general finance receipts for a month-end total of $22,318.80.
Permits were issued during the month of December to Kuprel of Station Road for a furnace and air-conditioner, Orlovsky of Springfield Road for a water heater, Killern of Monmouth Ave for siding and the borough public works department for a gas heater.
The borough mayor and council authorized the payment of bills for the month of December 2009, including $94,076.23 for payroll, $4,956.42 from the water utility account, $1,756.80 from the sewer utility account, $84,701.82 from the general account, $786.87 from the general capital account and $694.00 from the dog regulation account, for a month-end total of $186,972.14.
Two resolutions were passed regarding recent improvements made on Linden Avenue, resulting in a cost increase of $37.50 for inlet and manhole adjustment by R. Moslowski Excavating for an overall total contract price of $8,537.50, and a cost decrease of $1,409.06 for roadway improvements by Ocean County, for an overall total contract price of $73,330.44.
The mayor and council authorized the purchase of a surplus 2001 Ford F250 four-wheel drive pickup truck from Ocean County which will be utilized by the borough public works and have a plow attached to it. It was reported that Public Works
Supervisor Stephan Bortko "put in the legwork" to get the vehicle for a reasonable price.
According to borough tax collector Christine Dehnz, $61,543.57 was collected for 2009 taxes, $13,048 for 2010 taxes, $1,266.23 for interest and cost, and $15.00 for a returned check fee for a December month-end total of $75,872.86.
Pine Beach Borough Municipal Court revenue nearly doubled in 2009 compared to 2008, with a 2009 year-end total of $109,911.94, up from $65,952.46 for a difference of $43,959.48. December 2009 revenue did not reflect this overall increase, with revenue collected totaling $6,691.87, compared to $6,582.58 for December 2008, a total increase of just $109.29, the lowest 2009 monthly increase, compared to the average monthly increase of $3,663.29.
Pine Beach Borough Water Utility 2009 revenue was down by $4,507.45 compared to the year before, or $233,441.76 to $237,949.21.
Pine Beach Borough Sewer Utility 2009 revenue was up by 10,795.00 compared to the year before, or $381,182.08 to $370,387.08.
According to a report filed by the December public works supervisor Stephan Bortko, total end month garbage pickup totals measured 73.15 tons, with 8.22 tons of bulk only. End month plastic, aluminum, glass and tin recycled total measured 14.15 tons. Additionally, there were 9.25 tons of mixed paper, 53.40 tons of leaves and .84 tons of white metal picked up during December 2009. End of year totals included 145.93 tons of commingled recycling versus 130.62 tons in 2008; 130.78 tons of mixed paper versus 165.07 tons in 2008; 29.82 tons of metal recycling versus 32.24 tons in 2008, 106.27 tons of bulk trash collection versus 109.5 tons in 2008, and 1051.46 tons trash collection versus 1111.15 tons in 2008.
