SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 4
Download to read offline
BY JESSICA FASANO
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT — At its meeting last
Thursday, the Point Pleasant Council passed
two resolutions terminating the employ-
ment of former borough administrator
David Maffei, and removing him from the
position.
Mr. Maffei will remain in his role as bor-
ough clerk.
According to Mayor Robert Sabosik, the
borough and Mr. Maffei have decided to part
ways in regard to the administrator position,
and the town wishes him all the best.
“I personally have the utmost respect for
Dave Maffei. He is a wonderful individual,”
SPRING INTO YOUR HOME PROJECTS
Special supplement inside this issue
BAY HEAD S LAVALLETTE S MANTOLOKING S POINT PLEASANT S POINT PLEASANT BEACH
75 CENTSFRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Budget feeling
Sandy’s wrath
Maffei ousted
as admin, is
still clerk
Another $100K for boro hall
Boro teachers
under contract
“Our expenditures are well under control.
Unfortunately, our revenues are a problem
because of the lack of new homes.”
WALTERLACICEROMayor,BoroughofLavallette
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The lawsuit
Jenkinson’s Pavilion filed against the
Army Corps of Engineers, the New
Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, and the borough, here, is
scheduled to be heard in United
States District Court on April 22.
The lawsuit is in relation to the
planned federal beach replenishment
project that will construct a continu-
ous dune system along the Ocean
County coastline.
Jenkinson’s Pavilion owns the
majority of the beach in town.
For the full story, see page 16.
JESSICA FASANO THE OCEAN STAR
Frank Pannucci Jr. was joined by his mother, Donna Pannucci [left], and sister,
Nicole Cogill, after the Point Pleasant Council appointed him as acting bor-
ough administrator at last week’s meeting.
MORGAN CAMPBELL THE OCEAN STAR
‘CURTAINS!’ COMES TO POINT PLEASANT
Point Pleasant High School senior Nicole Toms and junior Kevin Jasaitis
performed in the school’s musical, “Curtains!,” on Saturday night. For
the full story on the performance, see page 9.
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
LAVALLETTE — At the Laval-
lette Council meeting on Mon-
day, the governing body intro-
duced the preliminary
municipal budget for 2015 — a
spending plan that officials
said was impacted by Hurri-
cane Sandy-related expenses.
Borough administrator
Christopher Parlow provided
some information on the
budget. The total 2015 prelimi-
nary budget is $9,154,165,
which is a $194,842 — or 2.17-
percent — increase over the
2014 budget, which totaled
SEE BUDGET PAGE 3
Frank Pannucci Jr. named
acting administrator
“I personally have the
utmost respect for Dave
Maffei. He is a wonderful
individual.”
BOBSABOSIK
Mayor,BoroughofPointPleasant
“To be part of this
team is an amazing
opportunity.”
FRANKPANNUCCIJR.
Acting Administrator
BoroughofPointPleasant
SEE ADMINISTRATOR PAGE 6
BY JESSICA FASANO
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT — On Mon-
day, March 23, the Point Pleas-
ant Board of Education [BOE]
approved a memorandum of
agreement between the BOE
and the Point Pleasant Educa-
tion Association [PPEA] re-
garding the contracts of dis-
trict employees.
The PPEA is a group that
represents the district’s teach-
ers, bus drivers, paraprofes-
sionals, secretaries, coaches
and advisors.
The approved resolution
states that “upon the recom-
mendation of the negotiations
committee for the Point Pleas-
ant BOE, the BOE approves
After mediation, 2.8
percent raises OK’d
across the board
SEE CONTRACT PAGE 6
Completion date
pushed back until
this August
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
LAVALLETTE — The govern-
ing body, here, unanimously
approved a $100,000 change
order for the construction of
the new borough hall on
Monday, the third change or-
der the project has seen.
Mayor Walter LaCicero
opened Monday’s meeting
with an update on the new
borough hall. The project in
its entirety was originally RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR
Though the completion of borough hall has been pushed back to August, the Post Office’s sec-
tion of the building is still expected to be ready by April 1.SEE BORO HALL PAGE 2
Jenk’s lawsuit
to be heard
next month
COURTESY OF LINDA BLUMENSTOCK
HONORING OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS
Point Pleasant Beach Public Education Foundation members Jody Sowell
[from left], Sherrie Chando and president Scott Kuzmic [right] presented
Donna Anderson-Landers, fourth-grade teacher, with a grant from the foun-
dation for poetry books. For the full story on that grant, and others award-
ed this year, see page 17.
Tax increase due to
storm repayments
PIRATES YOUTH FOOTBALL AND
PAINT PARTY
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: River Rock Restaurant,
1600 Route 70, Brick
Cost: $45 per person
Contact: Joanne at 732-793-2557
or donationsoflove@gmail.com
Donations of Love will receive $15 from
each ticket purchased. The canvas,
paints & brushes are all provided to you
for the price of admission. Attendees
must be 18 or older. There will be a
50/50 raffle. River Rock has 1/2 price
burgers on Tuesdays. Drinks and food
will be available for purchase during
paint party.
DONATIONS OF LOVE SUPER 50/50
RAFFLE
Date: Drawing on Friday, May 22
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: 1606 Grand Central Ave.
Cost: $100 per ticket donation
Contact: 732-793-2557 or dona-
tionsoflove@gmail.com
Raffle tickets are on sale now. There are
200 tickets being sold with a potential
grand prize of $10,000. Make checks
payable to Donations of Love, 1606
Grand Central Ave. #4, Lavallette, NJ
08735. Include a self addressed
stamped envelope for your ticket to be
returned to you.
COURT ST. BONAVENTURE MEET-
INGS
Date: third Wednesday each
month
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: St. Pio Parish Center,
Lavallette
AEROBICS
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays &
Fridays
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Union Church, 25
Philadelphia Ave.
Cost: $3
TAI-CHI
Date: Tuesdays
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Lavallette First Aid
Building, 1207 Bay Blvd.
Cost: $3
ZUMBA
Date: Mondays & Thursdays
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Monday at Lavallette
School, 105 Brooklyn Ave.;
Thursday at Union Church, 25
Philadelphia Ave.
Cost: $3
YOGA
Date: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Union Church, 25
Philadelphia Ave.
Cost: $3
POINT PLEASANT YOUTH
BASEBALL, SOFTBALL
REGISTRATION OPEN
Contact: Register online
www.pointbaseball.com
Baseball is open to player from Point
Pleasant Borough, Point Pleasant Beach,
Bay Head and Mantoloking. Softball is
open to Point Pleasant Borough, Point
Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking,
Brielle, Manasquan and Brick Township.
Buddy Ball offered for players with spe-
cial needs ages 5 to 21.
TOP SOCCER PROGRAM
Cost: $10
Contact: Point Pleasant Soccer
Club, www.pointpleasantsc.org
TOPSoccer is run through the Point
Pleasant Soccer Club [PPSC]. The pro-
gram provides an opportunity for play-
ers with special needs ages five through
25 to experience the game of soccer
through motor skills, soccer drills and
scrimmages. Registration for the
TOPSoccer program is still open at
www.pointpleasantsoccer.org. All play-
ers will need to register either via the
PPSC website or by mailing in a form.
Registration for this program will not
close out. The $10 player fee is to cover
New Jersey Youth Soccer insurance and
program expenses.
WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM
The Ocean Star
[USPS 016866]
25
35
24
22
27
24
21
29
CHURCH
CLASSIFIED
CROSSWORD
LETTERS
STREET BEAT
OBITUARIES
PEOPLE
SPORTS
INSIDE THE
OCEAN STAR
HOW CAN
WE HELP YOU?
CORRECTIONS POLICY
The Ocean Star is committed to fairness
and accuracy in its reporting, but in the event that
a factual error does occur, it will be
corrected quickly and ungrudgingly. To request
a correction, contact Editor Kimberly Mollo at
732-899-7606, ext. 12 or editor@theoceanstar.com.
WEEKLY MEMBER ACCESS CODE
MEMBER ID: 8523041
PASSWORD: 08742
Published every Friday at 421 River Avenue, Point
Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 by Coast Star, Inc.. $26
per year within Ocean County. $40 per year within
Monmouth County. $48per year outside Ocean and
Monmouth Counties. Periodicals postage paid at
Red Bank, N.J.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
The Ocean Star Subscriptions, 13 Broad Street,
Manasquan, N.J. 08736.
PAGE 2 THE OCEAN STAR FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 LAVALLETTE
James Manser
Editor-Publisher
732-223-0076, Ext12,
publisher@starnewsgroup.com
Alison Manser Ertl
General Manager
732-223-0076, Ext 38
gm@starnewsgroup.com
Matt Koenig
General Sales Manager
732-223-0076, Ext 50
mkoenig@starnewsgroup.com
NEWS
Jamie Biesiada
Managing Editor
732-223-0076, Ext 27
jbiesiada@thecoaststar.com
Kimberly Mollo
Assistant Managing Editor
732-899-7606, Ext 12
kmollo@thecoaststar.com
Jessica Fasano
Point Pleasant & Bay Head
732-899-7606, Ext 16
jfasano@theoceanstar.com
Paige Taylor
Point Pleasant Beach & Lavallette
732-899-7606, Ext 14
ptaylor@theoceanstar.com
Brian Harris
Mantoloking
732-899-7606, Ext 10
bharris@theoceanstar.com
News Fax: 732-899-9778
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
732-899-7606, Ext 10
bharris@theoceanstar.com
SPORTS
Dominick Pollio
732-899-7606, Ext 15
dpollio@theoceanstar.com
WEBMASTER
Jamie Biesiada
732-899-7606, Ext 12
editor@theoceanstar.com
Joseph Cafone, Ext 47
web@thecoaststar.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ryan Mayer, Morgan Campbell
and Steve Wexler
732-223-0076, Ext 31
photo@thecoaststar.com
CIRCULATION
Eileen Sippel
Circulation Manager
732-223-0076, Ext 21
esippel@thecoaststar.com
Joan Cordes
Circulation Administrator
732-223-0076, Ext 37
subscriptions@thecoaststar.com
CLASSIFIEDS
Pat Berry, 732-223-0076, Ext 13
classified@thecoaststar.com
Classified fax: 732-528-1212
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Chris Kaczorowski &
Cathy Wardell
732-223-0076, Ext 10
LEGALS
Maureen Ramina
732-223-0076, Ext 14
legals@thecoaststar.com
Legals fax: 732-528-1212
REAL ESTATE/BUSINESS
AND SERVICE ADVERTISING
Linda Quigley
732-223-0076, Ext 39
sales@thecoaststar.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Justin Bach
732-223-0076, Ext 24
justin@thecoaststar.com
Carol Mellendick
732-223-0076, Ext 15
carol@thecoaststar.com
Shelley Haas Kirk
732-223-0076, Ext 16
shelley@thecoaststar.com
Kailah Gittleman
732-223-0076, Ext 35
sales@theoceanstar.com
Sales Fax: 732-528-1212
BOOKKEEPING
Nancy Corcoran
732-223-0076, Ext 11
accounting@starnewsgroup.com
PRODUCTION
Joyce Manser, Pam Yoncak
and Wally Bilotta
732-223-0076, Ext 18
ads@thecoaststar.com
slated for completion in
the spring, but has been
pushed back to August.
The original borough
hall was damaged beyond
repair during Hurricane
Sandy in 2012.
The mayor said the con-
struction work is, however,
on track for the U.S. Post
Office to move in to its
leased space in the munici-
pal complex next month. In
order to get the Post Office
into the new municipal
building, 1,000 square feet
of the space must be avail-
able for them to rent by
April.
“We had a meeting today
with the contractor and we
will be delivering the Post
Office portion [of the
building] to the United
States Post Office on April
1,” the mayor said.
The borough is expect-
ing revenue from construc-
tion permits and renting
space in the new municipal
complex to the Lavallette
branch of the U.S. Post
Office [USPS] to help
cover the cost of the
undertaking.
The balance of the build-
ing is expected to be com-
pleted in August.
The construction is
about four months behind,
the mayor said, but “two
months of that probably
can be attributed to the
weather.”
“Nonetheless, things are
progressing,” Mayor
LaCicero said.
The council also dis-
cussed an additional, third
change order for the proj-
ect, which was on the agen-
da at Monday’s meeting.
The mayor said it was dis-
cussed with the contractor
on Monday, as well.
The original contract
amount totaled $4,646,960,
which increased to
$4,730,895 due to $83,935 in
initial change orders added
to the project. In
December, Mayor LaCicero
said the most recent
request was for a $40,000
change order due to speci-
fications to the dome-like
structure on the building.
On Monday, the mayor
said, “Typically on a proj-
ect this size you see about
5-percent change orders
[increase in the contract
price] and we’re at 5.7 right
now … but we do expect
some change orders in our
favor through the end of
the project.”
He said he was shocked
that 5 percent is typical,
and he wished he had
known that before going
into the project.
“People in the field said,
‘5 percent, that’s nothing’
— well, it’s something to
us,” he said, adding that the
change orders needed for
the project have amounted
to around $200,000 thus
far.
The adjusted contract
price, with the addition of
the third change order, is
$4,914,925.
The change order was
passed via resolution at the
meeting and read, “autho-
rizing the execution of a
change order to the con-
tract with Wallace
Brothers, Inc. increasing
the adjusted contract price
by $106,550.”
It was passed unani-
mously by those in atten-
dance. Councilwoman
Joanne Filippone was not
in attendance.
The mayor said this
change order has to do
with electrical items as
well as “conduits for the
camera system we’re going
to install outside, conduits
to install the computer
interface [and] fire
alarms.”
Borough administrator
Christopher Parlow said,
“The subcode official sug-
gested there be some addi-
tional fire alarms be
installed.”
Also on the change
order, officials said, was
exterior lighting for the
building.
Councilman James
Borowski said he had an
issue with the change
orders, even though they
will be performed regard-
less.
“You’re paying these pro-
fessionals top dollar, who
know these jobs, who
should know what these
contingencies are going to
be — and they don’t build
them into the plan, and
we’re left holding the bag,”
he said. “It’s the most frus-
trating thing I face as a tax-
payer and a member of this
governing body.”
Mayor LaCicero said he
asked the architect on the
project to bring any further
changes to his attention
moving forward, so the
mayor may present them to
the council.
The new building, once
completed, will house the
town’s administrative
offices, council chambers,
municipal court, construc-
tion and zoning depart-
ment and beach badge
office, as well as the police
department headquarters,
which was also displaced
during Hurricane Sandy.
Paige Taylor covers Lavallette for
The Ocean Star. She can be reached
at ptaylor@theoceanstar.com or
732-899-7606 Ext 14.
LAVALLETTE
EVENTSTo submit a calendar listing
or Lavallette story, email
ptaylor@theoceanstar.com
RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR
A SPECIAL GUEST FROM THE PAST
Renee Goodwin, a friend of the First Lady of the World, Eleanor Roosevelt, gave an educational
performance on Mrs. Roosevelt’s life to guests at Upper Shores Library on Wednesday, March 18.
BORO HALL
FROM PAGE 1
Change order for boro hall OK’d at meeting
WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 THE OCEAN STAR PAGE 3LAVALLETTE
THE OCEAN STAR
Free tree seedlings will be
available to Lavallette resi-
dents starting April 3, as part
of the New Jersey Tree Re-
covery Campaign.
This program helps com-
munities replace trees dam-
aged or destroyed by Super-
storm Sandy.
From 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
starting on April 3 and until
supplies last, residents will
be able to pick up tree
seedlings at the Lavallette Re-
cycling Center, located at 125
Washington Ave.
Seedlings, available on a
first come, first served basis,
also come with instructions
on how to store, care for, and
plant them.
The guides help residents
choose the right place on a
property to plant a tree while
keeping in mind the tree’s
full-grown size in the future.
Residents should plant the
seedlings within two days af-
ter pick-up in order to pre-
vent the roots from drying
out.
The goal of the Tree Re-
covery Campaign is to dis-
tribute over 500,000 tree
seedlings to New Jersey resi-
dents over the course of the
next five years
It is a joint effort between
the Borough of Lavallette,
New Jersey State Forestry
Services, New Jersey Soil
Conservation Districts, Sus-
tainable Jersey, Arbor Day
Foundation, Brothers Inter-
national, BJ’s Wholesale
Club, Wyndham Vacation Re-
sorts and FedEx.
When properly planted
and maintained, trees can be
assets to a community. They
improve the visual appeal of
a neighborhood or business
district, increase property
values, reduce home cooling
costs, remove air pollutants
and provide wildlife habitat,
among many other benefits.
Tree campaign to
provide seedlings
$8,959,323.
The council discussed a
few appropriation increases
in the spending plan.
Beach and boardwalk
salaries went up 8.74 percent
as there will be an additional
week added to the 2015 sum-
mer season. General liability
insurance is up 18.47 percent
because the borough is
adding flood insurance to its
facilities. Zoning and code
enforcement salaries are up
126 percent because grant
money had been funding
them for the past several
years. The mayor said the
borough has applied for
grants that could fund the
zoning and code salaries,
however.
“It’s not a pretty picture,”
Mayor Walter LaCicero said
of the budget, as the time has
come to “pay back funds
from Hurricane Sandy.”
“We got notice from the
department of community
affairs [DCA] that we need-
ed to start paying back our
10-percent share of the
Sandy emergency bonds this
year and have them paid off
within the next three years,”
he said.
Included in the 2015 budg-
et is not only the normal per-
centage increase but also the
funding of the borough’s 10-
percent share of monies
from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency
[FEMA].
According to Mr. Parlow,
the FEMA reimbursement is
normally 75 percent, but in
the case of Hurricane Sandy
it was upped to 90 percent.
“At some point we were
going to need to pay our 10-
percent share,” the mayor
said. “We were hoping to
long-term bond the remain-
der of the costs versus raise
taxes,” however such may
not be the case this year.
Mr. Parlow said the time
has come to respond to the
cost of Hurricane Sandy.
“New boardwalk, new
roads, $9 million in Ash Britt
debris removal … it’d be an
impossibility for me to say
that Sandy was not going to
cost anything,” he said.
Mr. Parlow added
Lavallette is hoping to stay
ahead of this by getting the
town restored and have the
assessed values increase
over time.
Mayor LaCicero said the
budget is up $194,842, of
which $156,000 is FEMA
“payback.”
“Without that we would
have been up $38,000, which
is virtually a flat budget,” he
said.
“Our expenditures are
well under control,” the
mayor also said.
“Unfortunately, our revenues
are a problem because of the
lack of new homes. They’re
coming, but they’re not here
yet; beach revenue is still
down a little bit, [and] police
revenue.”
The mayor said there is a
“2.9-percent increase for the
FEMA reimbursement on
top of our 2.7, [totaling a]
5.15-percentage increase.”
Mayor LaCicero said, “I’m
fairly optimistic for what our
long-term financial position
looks like. Once everything’s
built out again, we’re going
to have an abundance of
rateables.”
Following the meeting, Mr.
Parlow provided the follow-
ing figures for the 2015 pre-
liminary budget.
In total, $5,299,142 of the
proposed budget will be
raised through local taxation,
in comparison to the
$5,013,800 raised through tax-
es in 2014.
The proposed municipal
tax rate for 2015 per $100 of
assessed valuation is 28.6
cents, whereas last year it
was 27.2 cents.
The proposed 2015 budget
would create a 1.4-cent in-
crease in the municipal tax
rate per $100 of assessed val-
uation.
The average assessed val-
ue of a home in the borough,
according to Mr. Parlow, is
$679,000. If the budget is
adopted as-is that homeown-
er would see a $95 municipal
tax increase.
In sum, that average
homeowner would pay $1,941
in taxes for municipal pur-
poses if the proposed 2015
municipal budget is adopted
as-is.
These figures are for mu-
nicipal taxes only, and do not
include school or county tax-
es.
A total of $645,000 from
surplus is being applied to
the proposed 2015 budget,
which would leave $707,154
in the total surplus balance
and $414 in the cash surplus
balance.
The borough was awarded
$168,609 in state aid for both
2014 and 2015.
The public hearing and
vote for the adoption of the
budget is scheduled for May
4.
Paige Taylor covers Lavallette for The
Ocean Star. She can be reached at
ptaylor@theoceanstar.com or 732-
Council discusses increase in taxes to pay Sandy share
BUDGET
FROM PAGE 1
WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COMPAGE 16 THE OCEAN STAR FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 POINT PLEASANT BEACH
“Young Frankenstein.”
The high school principal
said she loves to send letters
out to the students regarding
their activities and added that
she always says it was the best
show ever.
“I thought it was truly, truly
the best show ever,” Ms. King
said. “I got lost in the show and
it was over too soon for me. I
loved it from start to finish.”
She said the night she went,
the performers received a
standing ovation and said the
role of Igor was perfect for
Chris Erbe.
She also congratulated the
cast, crew and director Emma
Fretz.
“If you didn’t have the op-
portunity to see it, you really
missed a terrific show,” Ms.
King said.
Ms. King acknowledged and
thanked the education founda-
tion for the grants the district
will be receiving — Project
Graduation, the Steered
Straight grant, Turn It In grant
and the Window Farm.
Ms. King also announced
the school finished their PAR-
CC [Partnership for Assess-
ment of Readiness for College
and Careers] testing and
makeups would be completed
by the end of the week.
She also congratulated
teacher of the year Leslie
Bridge.
Antrim Elementary School
principal Thomas O’Hara an-
nounced Michael Landers, a
sixth-grade science and social
studies teacher, was the
school’s teacher of the year.
Mr. O’Hara also said the
school is completely done
with PARCC testing.
He also congratulated Feli-
cia Galinas, the school’s
eighth-grade spelling bee
champion and the seventh-
graders, who received four
medals in the scholastic
olympics.
“We came home with four
medals — three gold and a
bronze, two in science, one in
math and one in music,” Mr.
O’Hara said.
Additionally, Mr. O’Hara
said the school’s spring carni-
val was a success and well at-
tended.
“The pie-throwing booth
was popular,” Mr. O’Hara said,
stating he had a turn having
pies thrown at him.
The school’s drama produc-
tion of “Alice in Wonderland”
began yesterday and will have
another performance tonight.
According to Mr. O’Hara,
over 75 students are involved
in the production and there
were two separate casts for the
performances.
He also congratulated the
junior and senior chorus, who
performed the National An-
them at a Philadelphia 76ers
game last week.
He joked that the 76ers may
ask them back because they
won, which they have not
been doing lately.
Lisa Taylor, the Lavallette
representative on the board,
noted the neighboring dis-
trict’s calendar will not match
up with Point Pleasant Beach’s
next school year. Ms. Taylor
said Lavallette will start school
on Sept. 2, while Point Pleasant
Beach will start on Sept. 9..
BOE
FROM PAGE 15
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The
lawsuit Jenkinson’s Pavilion
filed against the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers [ACE], the
New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection
[DEP] and the Borough of
Point Pleasant Beach is sched-
uled to be heard on April 22,
according to the attorney rep-
resenting the boardwalk busi-
ness in the matter.
The lawsuit, filed in United
States District Court in De-
cember, is in relation to the
planned federal beach replen-
ishment project that will con-
struct a continuous dune sys-
tem along the Ocean County
coastline.
John H. Buonocore, Jr., of
McKirdy & Riskin, P.A., of
Morristown, is representing
Jenkinson’s in the lawsuit.
Mr. Buonocore said the
lawsuit seeks two basic forms
of relief, including
“Declaratory judgment that
the USACOE has not mandat-
ed NJDEP to take private
property to create public
beaches beyond the area the
public already owns; and to
prevent the NJDEP and Point
Pleasant Beach from taking
private property without
complying with the require-
ments of the New Jersey
Eminent Domain Act.”
The federal beach replen-
ishment project, led by the
ACE, is planned to encompass
the area from the Manasquan
Inlet down to the Barnegat In-
let — running from Point
Pleasant Beach, to the north,
to Island Beach State Park, to
the south.
It will provide beach re-
plenishment in the form of a
berm and dune structure. In
addition to pumping sand
onto the beach to create
dunes, the Army Corps plans
to widen the beach, as well,
creating 200 feet of flat beach,
plus the slope between the
low- and high-tide marks.
The complaint was filed by
Jenkinson’s on Dec. 16 on the
premise that the ACE should
not require the acquisition of
rights to oceanfront landown-
ers’ property in order to com-
plete the project.
Jenkinson’s owns the major-
ity of the beach in Point Pleas-
ant Beach.
“NJDEP has told the public
that it was Army Corps of En-
gineers — not NJDEP — that
required the taking of private-
ly owned beachfronts along
the entire coast for ‘perpetual
public beach use’ in order for
the Corps to construct and
maintain the dune system,”
Mr. Buonocore said. “Jenkin-
son’s has requested a determi-
nation from the court that
NJDEP’s claims are inaccu-
rate.
“In fact, the dune system
can be constructed without
taking private property for
perpetual beach use in addi-
tion to the limited rights nec-
essary to build the dunes,” he
added.
Mr. Buonocore said
Jenkinson’s is already open to
the public.
“In fact, the entire New
Jersey shoreline is already
open to the public,” he said.
According to Mr.
Buonocore, the matter is
scheduled for a hearing on
April 22.
Bob Considine, a
spokesperson for the DEP,
said he could not comment on
the litigation as of press time.
A spokesperson from the
ACE’s Philadelphia District,
Steve Rochette, said, “We can-
not comment on the ongoing
litigation, but we are commit-
ted to providing the citizens
of Northern Ocean County
the authorized storm damage
reduction project that will
help protect life and property
against future storms once
construction is completed.”
“We will continue to coor-
dinate with the state of New
Jersey as they work through
the real estate acquisition
process,” Mr. Rochette added.
Hearing over replenishment slated
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — At
this week’s council meeting,
here, the preliminary munici-
pal budget for 2015 was intro-
duced.
Borough administrator and
chief financial officer
Christine Riehl provided the
governing body with prelimi-
nary figures during the admin-
istrator’s report at the meet-
ing.
The 2015 proposed budget
is at $14,274,711, versus
$15,087,404 from last year.
In total, $7,791,939 of the
proposed budget will be
raised through local taxation if
it is approved, whereas last
year, $7,605,259 was raised
through local taxation.
At the meeting, Ms. Riehl
said there is an overall
increase in the amount to be
raised by taxation totalling
$186,679.60, “which is less
than a penny on the tax rate,
right around .7.”
She state further that “one
tax point [equates to] $195,000
in change,” adding that on an
average house assessed at
$455,000, the increase in taxa-
tion this year would be $19.27.
The proposed municipal tax
rate for 2015 per $100 of
assessed valuation is 40 cents
whereas the 2014 municipal
tax rate per $100 of assessed
valuation was 39.4 cents.
A homeowner with a home
assessed at the borough’s aver-
age would pay a total of $1,818
in municipal taxes if the pro-
posed 2015 municipal budget is
adopted as-is.
These figures are for
municipal taxes only, and do
not include county or school
taxes.
In total, $1,200,000 of the
surplus is being applied to the
2015 proposed budget, which
would leave $2,239,754 in the
surplus account.
Additionally, the borough
was awarded $571,362 in state
aid for 2015, which is the same
as 2014.
At the meeting, Mayor
Vincent Barrella said he
noticed water and sewer
expenses were about the same
as last year, and as of last year
there “were still things that
one could argue didn’t belong
in water and sewer.”
The water sewer budget for
2015, which is not included in
the $14,274,711 total municipal
budget, is $3,480,977. It was
$3,432,000 last year.
“Last year, certain items
were moved over and then
there was an appropriation
out of water and sewer surplus
to cover those expenses in the
budget,” he said.
Last year, there were long-
standing issues with the
water/sewer utility budget as a
combination of percentages of
salaries and wages, health
insurance and pension were
being charged to the utility
budget, that should be charged
to the current fund.
By law, some salaries and
wages, as well as benefits such
as health insurance and pen-
sions, can be placed into the
water/sewer utility budget
instead of the current fund.
Water/sewer is a self-liquidat-
ing utility, which means the
revenue it generates covers
the expenses it incurs. It is not
part of the current fund budg-
et that equates to tax increases
every year.
The employees who work
in the water/sewer depart-
ment, and their benefits and
pension, get charged to the
utility, as well as operating
expenses, payment for water
to Brick Township Municipal
Utilities Authority, Ocean
County Utilities Authority
charges, and debt service.
At this week’s meeting, the
mayor asked Ms. Riehl if there
was any correction of the
expenditures, “or are you
comfortable that the water
and sewer budget contains
only those expenses that are
applicable to the water and
sewer utility,” he asked Ms.
Riehl.
She said, “I don’t feel what’s
in the water and sewer budget
by way of expenditures is
excessive or obscene in any
way. We had went under the
premise of moving some of
the expenses along with the
surplus; this year the expenses
do remain the same, we do
have anticipated water and
sewer surplus [$75,000] in the
current budget.”
Last year, that number was
$100,000.
“The budget covers hun-
dreds, thousands of decisions,
and it was a good budget year
because we had a good rev-
enue year last year,”
Councilman William Mayer
said.
He said both parking and
tax collection rates were high.
He also said the borough’s
budget was “helped” by some
retirements and transfers,
including that of a Point
Pleasant Beach police officer
to the State Police Benevolent
Association.
Ms. Riehl said the borough
is also subject to the 2-percent
tax levy cap.
“This year we are coming in
under that by $238,000,” she
said, which can be used in
next year’s budget.
Councilman Tom Vogel
clarified that although the
budget was “procedurally”
introduced on Tuesday night,
it can be tweaked.
“There is wiggle room
here,” he said. “I think there
needs to be some continued
dialogue and feedback [among
council members and depart-
ments].”
Councilman Vogel also
asked that the budget be post-
ed on the borough’s website.
“The budget committee and
the administrator are doing a
great job,” he said, adding that
he would hope that communi-
cation on such matters contin-
ue among other council mem-
bers who are not members of
the committee.
“My belief is you’re doing
the hard work and making
decisions in the best interest
of the community,”
Councilman Vogel said,
adding that communication
helps the council to make
more informed decisions as
they are required to vote on
the budget.
Councilman Mayer agreed
that posting the budget is
important to coincide with the
motion to introduce.
During the next meeting,
April 21, the budget will be on
the agenda for public hearing
and adoption.
Mayor Barrella confirmed,
however, that public hearing
could take place without final
approval “if there’s an amend-
ment to what’s introduced.”
Point Beach council intro’s budget for 2015

More Related Content

What's hot

Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements
Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements
Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements Pine River
 
Elect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla cowichan crofton newcastle island bridge
Elect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla  cowichan crofton newcastle island  bridgeElect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla  cowichan crofton newcastle island  bridge
Elect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla cowichan crofton newcastle island bridgeConstitutionTunnel
 
FTL%20media%20kit
FTL%20media%20kitFTL%20media%20kit
FTL%20media%20kitSarah Carty
 
Heart and Soul - November 2021
Heart and Soul - November 2021 Heart and Soul - November 2021
Heart and Soul - November 2021 GeorgeAdey1
 
charity luncheon poster final
charity luncheon poster finalcharity luncheon poster final
charity luncheon poster finalAngela Wilson
 
Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG
Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG
Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG Tran K. Nguyen
 
Evening to Remember
Evening to RememberEvening to Remember
Evening to RememberA.J. Sisco
 
Undercurrent front page 2
Undercurrent front page 2Undercurrent front page 2
Undercurrent front page 2Martha Perkins
 
Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015
Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015
Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015walter2ashley9
 
Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1
Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1
Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1Lila Delman Real Estate
 
Poop Deck 11 12 2017
Poop Deck 11 12 2017Poop Deck 11 12 2017
Poop Deck 11 12 2017Alan Spence
 
Slideshow events (powerpoint)
Slideshow   events (powerpoint)Slideshow   events (powerpoint)
Slideshow events (powerpoint)Buffalo Adore
 
Aug9 19web
Aug9 19webAug9 19web
Aug9 19webpmenzies
 
Aug7 19web
Aug7 19webAug7 19web
Aug7 19webpmenzies
 
Deferiet newssep2012
Deferiet newssep2012Deferiet newssep2012
Deferiet newssep20122bstbfrsa
 
McShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery Fest
McShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery FestMcShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery Fest
McShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery Festcodesprout
 

What's hot (20)

Chris botto
Chris bottoChris botto
Chris botto
 
Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements
Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements
Tues. May 28th Pine River Announcements
 
Elect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla cowichan crofton newcastle island bridge
Elect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla  cowichan crofton newcastle island  bridgeElect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla  cowichan crofton newcastle island  bridge
Elect p. anna paddon may 14 2013 mla cowichan crofton newcastle island bridge
 
Slideshow for August 8, 2010
Slideshow for August 8, 2010Slideshow for August 8, 2010
Slideshow for August 8, 2010
 
Visit Galveston
Visit GalvestonVisit Galveston
Visit Galveston
 
FTL%20media%20kit
FTL%20media%20kitFTL%20media%20kit
FTL%20media%20kit
 
Heart and Soul - November 2021
Heart and Soul - November 2021 Heart and Soul - November 2021
Heart and Soul - November 2021
 
charity luncheon poster final
charity luncheon poster finalcharity luncheon poster final
charity luncheon poster final
 
Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG
Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG
Tran Nguyen - 36 Hours in Lee and Wolfe County - EPG
 
Evening to Remember
Evening to RememberEvening to Remember
Evening to Remember
 
Anouk Govil
Anouk GovilAnouk Govil
Anouk Govil
 
Undercurrent front page 2
Undercurrent front page 2Undercurrent front page 2
Undercurrent front page 2
 
Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015
Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015
Apr 29, Activities and Events in Maine July 2015
 
Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1
Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1
Waterfront home in jamestown sells for $1
 
Poop Deck 11 12 2017
Poop Deck 11 12 2017Poop Deck 11 12 2017
Poop Deck 11 12 2017
 
Slideshow events (powerpoint)
Slideshow   events (powerpoint)Slideshow   events (powerpoint)
Slideshow events (powerpoint)
 
Aug9 19web
Aug9 19webAug9 19web
Aug9 19web
 
Aug7 19web
Aug7 19webAug7 19web
Aug7 19web
 
Deferiet newssep2012
Deferiet newssep2012Deferiet newssep2012
Deferiet newssep2012
 
McShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery Fest
McShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery FestMcShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery Fest
McShin Foundation's 5th Annual Recovery Fest
 

Viewers also liked

RERC Net metering Regulations 2015
RERC Net metering Regulations 2015RERC Net metering Regulations 2015
RERC Net metering Regulations 2015Headway Solar
 
Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012
Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012
Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012Headway Solar
 
CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3
CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3
CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3cesar Sotomayor
 
UP Solar Power Policy 2013
UP Solar Power Policy 2013UP Solar Power Policy 2013
UP Solar Power Policy 2013Headway Solar
 
Manipur solar policy 2014
Manipur solar policy 2014Manipur solar policy 2014
Manipur solar policy 2014Headway Solar
 
Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015
Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015
Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015Headway Solar
 
Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...
Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...
Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...Headway Solar
 
Tender Document for Solar Project in Himachal Pradesh
Tender Document for Solar Project in Himachal PradeshTender Document for Solar Project in Himachal Pradesh
Tender Document for Solar Project in Himachal PradeshHeadway Solar
 
Axibase Time Series Database
Axibase Time Series DatabaseAxibase Time Series Database
Axibase Time Series Databaseheinrichvk
 

Viewers also liked (18)

RERC Net metering Regulations 2015
RERC Net metering Regulations 2015RERC Net metering Regulations 2015
RERC Net metering Regulations 2015
 
merged_document_6
merged_document_6merged_document_6
merged_document_6
 
Final Document
Final DocumentFinal Document
Final Document
 
merged_document
merged_documentmerged_document
merged_document
 
Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012
Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012
Tamilnadu solar energy policy 2012
 
CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3
CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3
CESAR GONZALO SOTOMAYOR ARROSS3
 
Paper dzulfi
Paper dzulfiPaper dzulfi
Paper dzulfi
 
3:13 OS
3:13 OS 3:13 OS
3:13 OS
 
UP Solar Power Policy 2013
UP Solar Power Policy 2013UP Solar Power Policy 2013
UP Solar Power Policy 2013
 
merged_document_4
merged_document_4merged_document_4
merged_document_4
 
merged_document_3
merged_document_3merged_document_3
merged_document_3
 
Manipur solar policy 2014
Manipur solar policy 2014Manipur solar policy 2014
Manipur solar policy 2014
 
6:19
6:196:19
6:19
 
merged_document_2
merged_document_2merged_document_2
merged_document_2
 
Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015
Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015
Draft MERC Net Metering for Solar Rooftop Regulations,2015
 
Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...
Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...
Request for selection document for grid connected solar photo voltaic project...
 
Tender Document for Solar Project in Himachal Pradesh
Tender Document for Solar Project in Himachal PradeshTender Document for Solar Project in Himachal Pradesh
Tender Document for Solar Project in Himachal Pradesh
 
Axibase Time Series Database
Axibase Time Series DatabaseAxibase Time Series Database
Axibase Time Series Database
 

Similar to merged_document_7

May20 19web
May20 19webMay20 19web
May20 19webpmenzies
 
May19 19web
May19 19webMay19 19web
May19 19webpmenzies
 
Trending developments vol 4 issue 9
Trending developments vol 4 issue 9Trending developments vol 4 issue 9
Trending developments vol 4 issue 9froed
 
June 22 2015 Page 1
June 22 2015 Page 1June 22 2015 Page 1
June 22 2015 Page 1Seth Robins
 
Port Gardner, Everett - January 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - January 2014 NewsletterPort Gardner, Everett - January 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - January 2014 NewsletterTimothy Ellis
 
Trending developments vol 3, issue 10
Trending developments vol 3, issue 10Trending developments vol 3, issue 10
Trending developments vol 3, issue 10froed
 
May282 19web
May282 19webMay282 19web
May282 19webpmenzies
 
Aug21 19tv
Aug21 19tvAug21 19tv
Aug21 19tvpmenzies
 
Aug9_22.pptx
Aug9_22.pptxAug9_22.pptx
Aug9_22.pptxpmenzies
 
Focus July Issue 1st proof
Focus July Issue 1st proofFocus July Issue 1st proof
Focus July Issue 1st proofJennifer Clark
 
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8froed
 
June25_23show.pptx
June25_23show.pptxJune25_23show.pptx
June25_23show.pptxpmenzies
 
May28 19web
May28 19webMay28 19web
May28 19webpmenzies
 
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8froed
 
Sept22 19tv
Sept22 19tvSept22 19tv
Sept22 19tvpmenzies
 
Sept25 19tv
Sept25 19tvSept25 19tv
Sept25 19tvpmenzies
 
Port Gardner, Everett - April 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - April 2014 NewsletterPort Gardner, Everett - April 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - April 2014 NewsletterTimothy Ellis
 
Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013
Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013
Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013City of Owen Sound
 
Trending developments vol 3, issue 6
Trending developments vol 3, issue 6Trending developments vol 3, issue 6
Trending developments vol 3, issue 6froed
 
May19_22.ppsx
May19_22.ppsxMay19_22.ppsx
May19_22.ppsxpmenzies
 

Similar to merged_document_7 (20)

May20 19web
May20 19webMay20 19web
May20 19web
 
May19 19web
May19 19webMay19 19web
May19 19web
 
Trending developments vol 4 issue 9
Trending developments vol 4 issue 9Trending developments vol 4 issue 9
Trending developments vol 4 issue 9
 
June 22 2015 Page 1
June 22 2015 Page 1June 22 2015 Page 1
June 22 2015 Page 1
 
Port Gardner, Everett - January 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - January 2014 NewsletterPort Gardner, Everett - January 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - January 2014 Newsletter
 
Trending developments vol 3, issue 10
Trending developments vol 3, issue 10Trending developments vol 3, issue 10
Trending developments vol 3, issue 10
 
May282 19web
May282 19webMay282 19web
May282 19web
 
Aug21 19tv
Aug21 19tvAug21 19tv
Aug21 19tv
 
Aug9_22.pptx
Aug9_22.pptxAug9_22.pptx
Aug9_22.pptx
 
Focus July Issue 1st proof
Focus July Issue 1st proofFocus July Issue 1st proof
Focus July Issue 1st proof
 
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
 
June25_23show.pptx
June25_23show.pptxJune25_23show.pptx
June25_23show.pptx
 
May28 19web
May28 19webMay28 19web
May28 19web
 
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
Trending developments vol 4 issue 8
 
Sept22 19tv
Sept22 19tvSept22 19tv
Sept22 19tv
 
Sept25 19tv
Sept25 19tvSept25 19tv
Sept25 19tv
 
Port Gardner, Everett - April 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - April 2014 NewsletterPort Gardner, Everett - April 2014 Newsletter
Port Gardner, Everett - April 2014 Newsletter
 
Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013
Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013
Owen Sound Summer Activities Guide 2013
 
Trending developments vol 3, issue 6
Trending developments vol 3, issue 6Trending developments vol 3, issue 6
Trending developments vol 3, issue 6
 
May19_22.ppsx
May19_22.ppsxMay19_22.ppsx
May19_22.ppsx
 

More from Paige Taylor

More from Paige Taylor (8)

14
1414
14
 
15
1515
15
 
1
11
1
 
People Story Donations of Love
People Story Donations of LovePeople Story Donations of Love
People Story Donations of Love
 
N&D Mag 6:5
N&D Mag 6:5N&D Mag 6:5
N&D Mag 6:5
 
N&D Mag 5:21
N&D Mag 5:21 N&D Mag 5:21
N&D Mag 5:21
 
Business Profile
Business ProfileBusiness Profile
Business Profile
 
People.compressed
People.compressedPeople.compressed
People.compressed
 

merged_document_7

  • 1. BY JESSICA FASANO THE OCEAN STAR POINT PLEASANT — At its meeting last Thursday, the Point Pleasant Council passed two resolutions terminating the employ- ment of former borough administrator David Maffei, and removing him from the position. Mr. Maffei will remain in his role as bor- ough clerk. According to Mayor Robert Sabosik, the borough and Mr. Maffei have decided to part ways in regard to the administrator position, and the town wishes him all the best. “I personally have the utmost respect for Dave Maffei. He is a wonderful individual,” SPRING INTO YOUR HOME PROJECTS Special supplement inside this issue BAY HEAD S LAVALLETTE S MANTOLOKING S POINT PLEASANT S POINT PLEASANT BEACH 75 CENTSFRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Budget feeling Sandy’s wrath Maffei ousted as admin, is still clerk Another $100K for boro hall Boro teachers under contract “Our expenditures are well under control. Unfortunately, our revenues are a problem because of the lack of new homes.” WALTERLACICEROMayor,BoroughofLavallette BY PAIGE TAYLOR THE OCEAN STAR POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The lawsuit Jenkinson’s Pavilion filed against the Army Corps of Engineers, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the borough, here, is scheduled to be heard in United States District Court on April 22. The lawsuit is in relation to the planned federal beach replenishment project that will construct a continu- ous dune system along the Ocean County coastline. Jenkinson’s Pavilion owns the majority of the beach in town. For the full story, see page 16. JESSICA FASANO THE OCEAN STAR Frank Pannucci Jr. was joined by his mother, Donna Pannucci [left], and sister, Nicole Cogill, after the Point Pleasant Council appointed him as acting bor- ough administrator at last week’s meeting. MORGAN CAMPBELL THE OCEAN STAR ‘CURTAINS!’ COMES TO POINT PLEASANT Point Pleasant High School senior Nicole Toms and junior Kevin Jasaitis performed in the school’s musical, “Curtains!,” on Saturday night. For the full story on the performance, see page 9. BY PAIGE TAYLOR THE OCEAN STAR LAVALLETTE — At the Laval- lette Council meeting on Mon- day, the governing body intro- duced the preliminary municipal budget for 2015 — a spending plan that officials said was impacted by Hurri- cane Sandy-related expenses. Borough administrator Christopher Parlow provided some information on the budget. The total 2015 prelimi- nary budget is $9,154,165, which is a $194,842 — or 2.17- percent — increase over the 2014 budget, which totaled SEE BUDGET PAGE 3 Frank Pannucci Jr. named acting administrator “I personally have the utmost respect for Dave Maffei. He is a wonderful individual.” BOBSABOSIK Mayor,BoroughofPointPleasant “To be part of this team is an amazing opportunity.” FRANKPANNUCCIJR. Acting Administrator BoroughofPointPleasant SEE ADMINISTRATOR PAGE 6 BY JESSICA FASANO THE OCEAN STAR POINT PLEASANT — On Mon- day, March 23, the Point Pleas- ant Board of Education [BOE] approved a memorandum of agreement between the BOE and the Point Pleasant Educa- tion Association [PPEA] re- garding the contracts of dis- trict employees. The PPEA is a group that represents the district’s teach- ers, bus drivers, paraprofes- sionals, secretaries, coaches and advisors. The approved resolution states that “upon the recom- mendation of the negotiations committee for the Point Pleas- ant BOE, the BOE approves After mediation, 2.8 percent raises OK’d across the board SEE CONTRACT PAGE 6 Completion date pushed back until this August BY PAIGE TAYLOR THE OCEAN STAR LAVALLETTE — The govern- ing body, here, unanimously approved a $100,000 change order for the construction of the new borough hall on Monday, the third change or- der the project has seen. Mayor Walter LaCicero opened Monday’s meeting with an update on the new borough hall. The project in its entirety was originally RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR Though the completion of borough hall has been pushed back to August, the Post Office’s sec- tion of the building is still expected to be ready by April 1.SEE BORO HALL PAGE 2 Jenk’s lawsuit to be heard next month COURTESY OF LINDA BLUMENSTOCK HONORING OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS Point Pleasant Beach Public Education Foundation members Jody Sowell [from left], Sherrie Chando and president Scott Kuzmic [right] presented Donna Anderson-Landers, fourth-grade teacher, with a grant from the foun- dation for poetry books. For the full story on that grant, and others award- ed this year, see page 17. Tax increase due to storm repayments
  • 2. PIRATES YOUTH FOOTBALL AND PAINT PARTY Date: Tuesday, March 31 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: River Rock Restaurant, 1600 Route 70, Brick Cost: $45 per person Contact: Joanne at 732-793-2557 or donationsoflove@gmail.com Donations of Love will receive $15 from each ticket purchased. The canvas, paints & brushes are all provided to you for the price of admission. Attendees must be 18 or older. There will be a 50/50 raffle. River Rock has 1/2 price burgers on Tuesdays. Drinks and food will be available for purchase during paint party. DONATIONS OF LOVE SUPER 50/50 RAFFLE Date: Drawing on Friday, May 22 Time: 12 p.m. Location: 1606 Grand Central Ave. Cost: $100 per ticket donation Contact: 732-793-2557 or dona- tionsoflove@gmail.com Raffle tickets are on sale now. There are 200 tickets being sold with a potential grand prize of $10,000. Make checks payable to Donations of Love, 1606 Grand Central Ave. #4, Lavallette, NJ 08735. Include a self addressed stamped envelope for your ticket to be returned to you. COURT ST. BONAVENTURE MEET- INGS Date: third Wednesday each month Time: 1 p.m. Location: St. Pio Parish Center, Lavallette AEROBICS Date: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays Time: 4 p.m. Location: Union Church, 25 Philadelphia Ave. Cost: $3 TAI-CHI Date: Tuesdays Time: 10 a.m. Location: Lavallette First Aid Building, 1207 Bay Blvd. Cost: $3 ZUMBA Date: Mondays & Thursdays Time: 6 p.m. Location: Monday at Lavallette School, 105 Brooklyn Ave.; Thursday at Union Church, 25 Philadelphia Ave. Cost: $3 YOGA Date: Tuesdays & Thursdays Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Union Church, 25 Philadelphia Ave. Cost: $3 POINT PLEASANT YOUTH BASEBALL, SOFTBALL REGISTRATION OPEN Contact: Register online www.pointbaseball.com Baseball is open to player from Point Pleasant Borough, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking. Softball is open to Point Pleasant Borough, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Brielle, Manasquan and Brick Township. Buddy Ball offered for players with spe- cial needs ages 5 to 21. TOP SOCCER PROGRAM Cost: $10 Contact: Point Pleasant Soccer Club, www.pointpleasantsc.org TOPSoccer is run through the Point Pleasant Soccer Club [PPSC]. The pro- gram provides an opportunity for play- ers with special needs ages five through 25 to experience the game of soccer through motor skills, soccer drills and scrimmages. Registration for the TOPSoccer program is still open at www.pointpleasantsoccer.org. All play- ers will need to register either via the PPSC website or by mailing in a form. Registration for this program will not close out. The $10 player fee is to cover New Jersey Youth Soccer insurance and program expenses. WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM The Ocean Star [USPS 016866] 25 35 24 22 27 24 21 29 CHURCH CLASSIFIED CROSSWORD LETTERS STREET BEAT OBITUARIES PEOPLE SPORTS INSIDE THE OCEAN STAR HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? CORRECTIONS POLICY The Ocean Star is committed to fairness and accuracy in its reporting, but in the event that a factual error does occur, it will be corrected quickly and ungrudgingly. To request a correction, contact Editor Kimberly Mollo at 732-899-7606, ext. 12 or editor@theoceanstar.com. WEEKLY MEMBER ACCESS CODE MEMBER ID: 8523041 PASSWORD: 08742 Published every Friday at 421 River Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 by Coast Star, Inc.. $26 per year within Ocean County. $40 per year within Monmouth County. $48per year outside Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Periodicals postage paid at Red Bank, N.J. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Ocean Star Subscriptions, 13 Broad Street, Manasquan, N.J. 08736. PAGE 2 THE OCEAN STAR FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 LAVALLETTE James Manser Editor-Publisher 732-223-0076, Ext12, publisher@starnewsgroup.com Alison Manser Ertl General Manager 732-223-0076, Ext 38 gm@starnewsgroup.com Matt Koenig General Sales Manager 732-223-0076, Ext 50 mkoenig@starnewsgroup.com NEWS Jamie Biesiada Managing Editor 732-223-0076, Ext 27 jbiesiada@thecoaststar.com Kimberly Mollo Assistant Managing Editor 732-899-7606, Ext 12 kmollo@thecoaststar.com Jessica Fasano Point Pleasant & Bay Head 732-899-7606, Ext 16 jfasano@theoceanstar.com Paige Taylor Point Pleasant Beach & Lavallette 732-899-7606, Ext 14 ptaylor@theoceanstar.com Brian Harris Mantoloking 732-899-7606, Ext 10 bharris@theoceanstar.com News Fax: 732-899-9778 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 732-899-7606, Ext 10 bharris@theoceanstar.com SPORTS Dominick Pollio 732-899-7606, Ext 15 dpollio@theoceanstar.com WEBMASTER Jamie Biesiada 732-899-7606, Ext 12 editor@theoceanstar.com Joseph Cafone, Ext 47 web@thecoaststar.com PHOTOGRAPHY Ryan Mayer, Morgan Campbell and Steve Wexler 732-223-0076, Ext 31 photo@thecoaststar.com CIRCULATION Eileen Sippel Circulation Manager 732-223-0076, Ext 21 esippel@thecoaststar.com Joan Cordes Circulation Administrator 732-223-0076, Ext 37 subscriptions@thecoaststar.com CLASSIFIEDS Pat Berry, 732-223-0076, Ext 13 classified@thecoaststar.com Classified fax: 732-528-1212 CUSTOMER SERVICE Chris Kaczorowski & Cathy Wardell 732-223-0076, Ext 10 LEGALS Maureen Ramina 732-223-0076, Ext 14 legals@thecoaststar.com Legals fax: 732-528-1212 REAL ESTATE/BUSINESS AND SERVICE ADVERTISING Linda Quigley 732-223-0076, Ext 39 sales@thecoaststar.com ADVERTISING SALES Justin Bach 732-223-0076, Ext 24 justin@thecoaststar.com Carol Mellendick 732-223-0076, Ext 15 carol@thecoaststar.com Shelley Haas Kirk 732-223-0076, Ext 16 shelley@thecoaststar.com Kailah Gittleman 732-223-0076, Ext 35 sales@theoceanstar.com Sales Fax: 732-528-1212 BOOKKEEPING Nancy Corcoran 732-223-0076, Ext 11 accounting@starnewsgroup.com PRODUCTION Joyce Manser, Pam Yoncak and Wally Bilotta 732-223-0076, Ext 18 ads@thecoaststar.com slated for completion in the spring, but has been pushed back to August. The original borough hall was damaged beyond repair during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The mayor said the con- struction work is, however, on track for the U.S. Post Office to move in to its leased space in the munici- pal complex next month. In order to get the Post Office into the new municipal building, 1,000 square feet of the space must be avail- able for them to rent by April. “We had a meeting today with the contractor and we will be delivering the Post Office portion [of the building] to the United States Post Office on April 1,” the mayor said. The borough is expect- ing revenue from construc- tion permits and renting space in the new municipal complex to the Lavallette branch of the U.S. Post Office [USPS] to help cover the cost of the undertaking. The balance of the build- ing is expected to be com- pleted in August. The construction is about four months behind, the mayor said, but “two months of that probably can be attributed to the weather.” “Nonetheless, things are progressing,” Mayor LaCicero said. The council also dis- cussed an additional, third change order for the proj- ect, which was on the agen- da at Monday’s meeting. The mayor said it was dis- cussed with the contractor on Monday, as well. The original contract amount totaled $4,646,960, which increased to $4,730,895 due to $83,935 in initial change orders added to the project. In December, Mayor LaCicero said the most recent request was for a $40,000 change order due to speci- fications to the dome-like structure on the building. On Monday, the mayor said, “Typically on a proj- ect this size you see about 5-percent change orders [increase in the contract price] and we’re at 5.7 right now … but we do expect some change orders in our favor through the end of the project.” He said he was shocked that 5 percent is typical, and he wished he had known that before going into the project. “People in the field said, ‘5 percent, that’s nothing’ — well, it’s something to us,” he said, adding that the change orders needed for the project have amounted to around $200,000 thus far. The adjusted contract price, with the addition of the third change order, is $4,914,925. The change order was passed via resolution at the meeting and read, “autho- rizing the execution of a change order to the con- tract with Wallace Brothers, Inc. increasing the adjusted contract price by $106,550.” It was passed unani- mously by those in atten- dance. Councilwoman Joanne Filippone was not in attendance. The mayor said this change order has to do with electrical items as well as “conduits for the camera system we’re going to install outside, conduits to install the computer interface [and] fire alarms.” Borough administrator Christopher Parlow said, “The subcode official sug- gested there be some addi- tional fire alarms be installed.” Also on the change order, officials said, was exterior lighting for the building. Councilman James Borowski said he had an issue with the change orders, even though they will be performed regard- less. “You’re paying these pro- fessionals top dollar, who know these jobs, who should know what these contingencies are going to be — and they don’t build them into the plan, and we’re left holding the bag,” he said. “It’s the most frus- trating thing I face as a tax- payer and a member of this governing body.” Mayor LaCicero said he asked the architect on the project to bring any further changes to his attention moving forward, so the mayor may present them to the council. The new building, once completed, will house the town’s administrative offices, council chambers, municipal court, construc- tion and zoning depart- ment and beach badge office, as well as the police department headquarters, which was also displaced during Hurricane Sandy. Paige Taylor covers Lavallette for The Ocean Star. She can be reached at ptaylor@theoceanstar.com or 732-899-7606 Ext 14. LAVALLETTE EVENTSTo submit a calendar listing or Lavallette story, email ptaylor@theoceanstar.com RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR A SPECIAL GUEST FROM THE PAST Renee Goodwin, a friend of the First Lady of the World, Eleanor Roosevelt, gave an educational performance on Mrs. Roosevelt’s life to guests at Upper Shores Library on Wednesday, March 18. BORO HALL FROM PAGE 1 Change order for boro hall OK’d at meeting
  • 3. WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 THE OCEAN STAR PAGE 3LAVALLETTE THE OCEAN STAR Free tree seedlings will be available to Lavallette resi- dents starting April 3, as part of the New Jersey Tree Re- covery Campaign. This program helps com- munities replace trees dam- aged or destroyed by Super- storm Sandy. From 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. starting on April 3 and until supplies last, residents will be able to pick up tree seedlings at the Lavallette Re- cycling Center, located at 125 Washington Ave. Seedlings, available on a first come, first served basis, also come with instructions on how to store, care for, and plant them. The guides help residents choose the right place on a property to plant a tree while keeping in mind the tree’s full-grown size in the future. Residents should plant the seedlings within two days af- ter pick-up in order to pre- vent the roots from drying out. The goal of the Tree Re- covery Campaign is to dis- tribute over 500,000 tree seedlings to New Jersey resi- dents over the course of the next five years It is a joint effort between the Borough of Lavallette, New Jersey State Forestry Services, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sus- tainable Jersey, Arbor Day Foundation, Brothers Inter- national, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Wyndham Vacation Re- sorts and FedEx. When properly planted and maintained, trees can be assets to a community. They improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood or business district, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits. Tree campaign to provide seedlings $8,959,323. The council discussed a few appropriation increases in the spending plan. Beach and boardwalk salaries went up 8.74 percent as there will be an additional week added to the 2015 sum- mer season. General liability insurance is up 18.47 percent because the borough is adding flood insurance to its facilities. Zoning and code enforcement salaries are up 126 percent because grant money had been funding them for the past several years. The mayor said the borough has applied for grants that could fund the zoning and code salaries, however. “It’s not a pretty picture,” Mayor Walter LaCicero said of the budget, as the time has come to “pay back funds from Hurricane Sandy.” “We got notice from the department of community affairs [DCA] that we need- ed to start paying back our 10-percent share of the Sandy emergency bonds this year and have them paid off within the next three years,” he said. Included in the 2015 budg- et is not only the normal per- centage increase but also the funding of the borough’s 10- percent share of monies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA]. According to Mr. Parlow, the FEMA reimbursement is normally 75 percent, but in the case of Hurricane Sandy it was upped to 90 percent. “At some point we were going to need to pay our 10- percent share,” the mayor said. “We were hoping to long-term bond the remain- der of the costs versus raise taxes,” however such may not be the case this year. Mr. Parlow said the time has come to respond to the cost of Hurricane Sandy. “New boardwalk, new roads, $9 million in Ash Britt debris removal … it’d be an impossibility for me to say that Sandy was not going to cost anything,” he said. Mr. Parlow added Lavallette is hoping to stay ahead of this by getting the town restored and have the assessed values increase over time. Mayor LaCicero said the budget is up $194,842, of which $156,000 is FEMA “payback.” “Without that we would have been up $38,000, which is virtually a flat budget,” he said. “Our expenditures are well under control,” the mayor also said. “Unfortunately, our revenues are a problem because of the lack of new homes. They’re coming, but they’re not here yet; beach revenue is still down a little bit, [and] police revenue.” The mayor said there is a “2.9-percent increase for the FEMA reimbursement on top of our 2.7, [totaling a] 5.15-percentage increase.” Mayor LaCicero said, “I’m fairly optimistic for what our long-term financial position looks like. Once everything’s built out again, we’re going to have an abundance of rateables.” Following the meeting, Mr. Parlow provided the follow- ing figures for the 2015 pre- liminary budget. In total, $5,299,142 of the proposed budget will be raised through local taxation, in comparison to the $5,013,800 raised through tax- es in 2014. The proposed municipal tax rate for 2015 per $100 of assessed valuation is 28.6 cents, whereas last year it was 27.2 cents. The proposed 2015 budget would create a 1.4-cent in- crease in the municipal tax rate per $100 of assessed val- uation. The average assessed val- ue of a home in the borough, according to Mr. Parlow, is $679,000. If the budget is adopted as-is that homeown- er would see a $95 municipal tax increase. In sum, that average homeowner would pay $1,941 in taxes for municipal pur- poses if the proposed 2015 municipal budget is adopted as-is. These figures are for mu- nicipal taxes only, and do not include school or county tax- es. A total of $645,000 from surplus is being applied to the proposed 2015 budget, which would leave $707,154 in the total surplus balance and $414 in the cash surplus balance. The borough was awarded $168,609 in state aid for both 2014 and 2015. The public hearing and vote for the adoption of the budget is scheduled for May 4. Paige Taylor covers Lavallette for The Ocean Star. She can be reached at ptaylor@theoceanstar.com or 732- Council discusses increase in taxes to pay Sandy share BUDGET FROM PAGE 1
  • 4. WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COMPAGE 16 THE OCEAN STAR FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 POINT PLEASANT BEACH “Young Frankenstein.” The high school principal said she loves to send letters out to the students regarding their activities and added that she always says it was the best show ever. “I thought it was truly, truly the best show ever,” Ms. King said. “I got lost in the show and it was over too soon for me. I loved it from start to finish.” She said the night she went, the performers received a standing ovation and said the role of Igor was perfect for Chris Erbe. She also congratulated the cast, crew and director Emma Fretz. “If you didn’t have the op- portunity to see it, you really missed a terrific show,” Ms. King said. Ms. King acknowledged and thanked the education founda- tion for the grants the district will be receiving — Project Graduation, the Steered Straight grant, Turn It In grant and the Window Farm. Ms. King also announced the school finished their PAR- CC [Partnership for Assess- ment of Readiness for College and Careers] testing and makeups would be completed by the end of the week. She also congratulated teacher of the year Leslie Bridge. Antrim Elementary School principal Thomas O’Hara an- nounced Michael Landers, a sixth-grade science and social studies teacher, was the school’s teacher of the year. Mr. O’Hara also said the school is completely done with PARCC testing. He also congratulated Feli- cia Galinas, the school’s eighth-grade spelling bee champion and the seventh- graders, who received four medals in the scholastic olympics. “We came home with four medals — three gold and a bronze, two in science, one in math and one in music,” Mr. O’Hara said. Additionally, Mr. O’Hara said the school’s spring carni- val was a success and well at- tended. “The pie-throwing booth was popular,” Mr. O’Hara said, stating he had a turn having pies thrown at him. The school’s drama produc- tion of “Alice in Wonderland” began yesterday and will have another performance tonight. According to Mr. O’Hara, over 75 students are involved in the production and there were two separate casts for the performances. He also congratulated the junior and senior chorus, who performed the National An- them at a Philadelphia 76ers game last week. He joked that the 76ers may ask them back because they won, which they have not been doing lately. Lisa Taylor, the Lavallette representative on the board, noted the neighboring dis- trict’s calendar will not match up with Point Pleasant Beach’s next school year. Ms. Taylor said Lavallette will start school on Sept. 2, while Point Pleasant Beach will start on Sept. 9.. BOE FROM PAGE 15 BY PAIGE TAYLOR THE OCEAN STAR POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The lawsuit Jenkinson’s Pavilion filed against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [ACE], the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] and the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach is sched- uled to be heard on April 22, according to the attorney rep- resenting the boardwalk busi- ness in the matter. The lawsuit, filed in United States District Court in De- cember, is in relation to the planned federal beach replen- ishment project that will con- struct a continuous dune sys- tem along the Ocean County coastline. John H. Buonocore, Jr., of McKirdy & Riskin, P.A., of Morristown, is representing Jenkinson’s in the lawsuit. Mr. Buonocore said the lawsuit seeks two basic forms of relief, including “Declaratory judgment that the USACOE has not mandat- ed NJDEP to take private property to create public beaches beyond the area the public already owns; and to prevent the NJDEP and Point Pleasant Beach from taking private property without complying with the require- ments of the New Jersey Eminent Domain Act.” The federal beach replen- ishment project, led by the ACE, is planned to encompass the area from the Manasquan Inlet down to the Barnegat In- let — running from Point Pleasant Beach, to the north, to Island Beach State Park, to the south. It will provide beach re- plenishment in the form of a berm and dune structure. In addition to pumping sand onto the beach to create dunes, the Army Corps plans to widen the beach, as well, creating 200 feet of flat beach, plus the slope between the low- and high-tide marks. The complaint was filed by Jenkinson’s on Dec. 16 on the premise that the ACE should not require the acquisition of rights to oceanfront landown- ers’ property in order to com- plete the project. Jenkinson’s owns the major- ity of the beach in Point Pleas- ant Beach. “NJDEP has told the public that it was Army Corps of En- gineers — not NJDEP — that required the taking of private- ly owned beachfronts along the entire coast for ‘perpetual public beach use’ in order for the Corps to construct and maintain the dune system,” Mr. Buonocore said. “Jenkin- son’s has requested a determi- nation from the court that NJDEP’s claims are inaccu- rate. “In fact, the dune system can be constructed without taking private property for perpetual beach use in addi- tion to the limited rights nec- essary to build the dunes,” he added. Mr. Buonocore said Jenkinson’s is already open to the public. “In fact, the entire New Jersey shoreline is already open to the public,” he said. According to Mr. Buonocore, the matter is scheduled for a hearing on April 22. Bob Considine, a spokesperson for the DEP, said he could not comment on the litigation as of press time. A spokesperson from the ACE’s Philadelphia District, Steve Rochette, said, “We can- not comment on the ongoing litigation, but we are commit- ted to providing the citizens of Northern Ocean County the authorized storm damage reduction project that will help protect life and property against future storms once construction is completed.” “We will continue to coor- dinate with the state of New Jersey as they work through the real estate acquisition process,” Mr. Rochette added. Hearing over replenishment slated BY PAIGE TAYLOR THE OCEAN STAR POINT PLEASANT BEACH — At this week’s council meeting, here, the preliminary munici- pal budget for 2015 was intro- duced. Borough administrator and chief financial officer Christine Riehl provided the governing body with prelimi- nary figures during the admin- istrator’s report at the meet- ing. The 2015 proposed budget is at $14,274,711, versus $15,087,404 from last year. In total, $7,791,939 of the proposed budget will be raised through local taxation if it is approved, whereas last year, $7,605,259 was raised through local taxation. At the meeting, Ms. Riehl said there is an overall increase in the amount to be raised by taxation totalling $186,679.60, “which is less than a penny on the tax rate, right around .7.” She state further that “one tax point [equates to] $195,000 in change,” adding that on an average house assessed at $455,000, the increase in taxa- tion this year would be $19.27. The proposed municipal tax rate for 2015 per $100 of assessed valuation is 40 cents whereas the 2014 municipal tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation was 39.4 cents. A homeowner with a home assessed at the borough’s aver- age would pay a total of $1,818 in municipal taxes if the pro- posed 2015 municipal budget is adopted as-is. These figures are for municipal taxes only, and do not include county or school taxes. In total, $1,200,000 of the surplus is being applied to the 2015 proposed budget, which would leave $2,239,754 in the surplus account. Additionally, the borough was awarded $571,362 in state aid for 2015, which is the same as 2014. At the meeting, Mayor Vincent Barrella said he noticed water and sewer expenses were about the same as last year, and as of last year there “were still things that one could argue didn’t belong in water and sewer.” The water sewer budget for 2015, which is not included in the $14,274,711 total municipal budget, is $3,480,977. It was $3,432,000 last year. “Last year, certain items were moved over and then there was an appropriation out of water and sewer surplus to cover those expenses in the budget,” he said. Last year, there were long- standing issues with the water/sewer utility budget as a combination of percentages of salaries and wages, health insurance and pension were being charged to the utility budget, that should be charged to the current fund. By law, some salaries and wages, as well as benefits such as health insurance and pen- sions, can be placed into the water/sewer utility budget instead of the current fund. Water/sewer is a self-liquidat- ing utility, which means the revenue it generates covers the expenses it incurs. It is not part of the current fund budg- et that equates to tax increases every year. The employees who work in the water/sewer depart- ment, and their benefits and pension, get charged to the utility, as well as operating expenses, payment for water to Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Ocean County Utilities Authority charges, and debt service. At this week’s meeting, the mayor asked Ms. Riehl if there was any correction of the expenditures, “or are you comfortable that the water and sewer budget contains only those expenses that are applicable to the water and sewer utility,” he asked Ms. Riehl. She said, “I don’t feel what’s in the water and sewer budget by way of expenditures is excessive or obscene in any way. We had went under the premise of moving some of the expenses along with the surplus; this year the expenses do remain the same, we do have anticipated water and sewer surplus [$75,000] in the current budget.” Last year, that number was $100,000. “The budget covers hun- dreds, thousands of decisions, and it was a good budget year because we had a good rev- enue year last year,” Councilman William Mayer said. He said both parking and tax collection rates were high. He also said the borough’s budget was “helped” by some retirements and transfers, including that of a Point Pleasant Beach police officer to the State Police Benevolent Association. Ms. Riehl said the borough is also subject to the 2-percent tax levy cap. “This year we are coming in under that by $238,000,” she said, which can be used in next year’s budget. Councilman Tom Vogel clarified that although the budget was “procedurally” introduced on Tuesday night, it can be tweaked. “There is wiggle room here,” he said. “I think there needs to be some continued dialogue and feedback [among council members and depart- ments].” Councilman Vogel also asked that the budget be post- ed on the borough’s website. “The budget committee and the administrator are doing a great job,” he said, adding that he would hope that communi- cation on such matters contin- ue among other council mem- bers who are not members of the committee. “My belief is you’re doing the hard work and making decisions in the best interest of the community,” Councilman Vogel said, adding that communication helps the council to make more informed decisions as they are required to vote on the budget. Councilman Mayer agreed that posting the budget is important to coincide with the motion to introduce. During the next meeting, April 21, the budget will be on the agenda for public hearing and adoption. Mayor Barrella confirmed, however, that public hearing could take place without final approval “if there’s an amend- ment to what’s introduced.” Point Beach council intro’s budget for 2015