Posted on July 26, 2020
The Tuckerton Borough Council approved a plan Monday allowing the community to solicit funds to act a a down payment for a Tuckerton Beach dredging project.
The “hybrid” meeting of the council Monday night, July 20, in which the council and mayor met in town hall and others met virtually had some glitches – it was sometimes hard to hear what the council members were saying – yet was appreciated by those who did not want to venture out in the heat of the evening.
New Councilman Brian Martin, who is taking over John Schwartz’ position, and new Councilwoman Suzanne Taylor, taking over the late Councilman Michael Santo’s seat, were present for their first meeting after being appointed during a special July 6 session. Both will have to run for election in November.
Martin proposed a resolution to establish a special fund, or “dedication by rider” account, to collect donations for the Tuckerton Beach dredging project that has been stalled since the pandemic. The borough administrator has stated that to bond for the project, the borough would need a 10 percent down payment. The amount has not yet been established, as a special meeting scheduled in March to get borough residents’ input on how to pay for the dredging was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Ideas included a special assessment on lagoon property owners or one that the entire town would share in. The administrator has said the project is on hold until the will of the people can be established.
Some Tuckerton Beach residents have requested to solicit funds for the bonding down payment, and the dedication by rider resolution passed. However, it must go to the state Local Government Services, part of the Department of Community Affairs, for approval first.
Councilman Keith Vreeland said the legislative committee is preparing ordinances to allow outside dining through to next year, even if the pandemic emergency ends. The committee is also preparing a drainage and grading ordinance as suggested by the land use board.
Council President Sam Colangelo proposed a measure to sell one of the borough’s police vehicles as two new vehicles are on order. He also asked residents to be aware of water usage during the hot and dry weather and fix leaking faucets, etc.
Mayor Sue Marshall read three resolutions to send on to the governor’s office: to fully fund the senior tax freeze money, to reinstate the Homestead Benefit Rebate program (both programs are cut from the budget this year) and to get a new veterans clinic in Ocean County as the clinic in Brick Township has reached capacity.
During the public comment period, John Edmunds of Little Egg Harbor said he had 33 names on a petition to increase police presence on Center Street because of speeding. He also wants the borough to put a traffic sign at the entrance to Center Street noting the weight limit of 8,000 pounds for rural roads. Edmunds and his neighbors often see 18-wheelers travel their residential street on their way to the Wawa in Little Egg. Edmunds has also brought his petition to the Little Egg governing body as Center Street goes through both communities. In Tuckerton the speed limit is 25 mph and in Little Egg it changes to 40 mph.
Source: thesandpaper
