Month: January 2023

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January 2023 Update

HTA January 2023 Newsletter

January has brought a new year and some good news regarding beach replenishment and the launch of the website to track your water usage. Please see below.

Membership is also off to a good start – thank you! Please try to sign up early in the year as this allows us to devote even more resources to key activities that benefit Holgate. Membership Signup

Lastly, a member recently asked us to check with the Township on a specific issue. We are always happy to support our members but will also let you know when it is better to directly phone the correct Township department since you will usually get a faster answer.

January Highlights

  1. Beach Conditions
  2. Windmill Status
  3. Township Ordinances Approved on Second Reading
  4. Township Ordinances Moved on First Reading
  5. Water and Sewer Fees
  6. First Responder Support
  7. Science Saturdays

Updates

  1. Beach Conditions
    • Federal funding is in place, confirmed by Mayor Mancini and Representative Van Drew’s office. Hopefully it will be enough. Next up: Determining the schedule for replenishment and supporting Mayor Mancini’s efforts to get the steel groin extended as well as adding at least 2 additional groins to the north.
  2. Windmill Status
    • The Joint Council of Taxpayers Associations of LBI’s latest update (#9) of available information is listed on the homepage of the HTA website. The featured question is about the eventual cost of electricity from the wind farm. The analysis is complex as it depends on a number of scenarios. As with most things, there is no simple answer here. Wind Update #9
      Please note, these summaries do not represent any formal position on the part of the HTA or the JCTA but are the result of efforts by the JCTA to present as much factual and objective information as possible so that people are better educated about the wind projects. It remains up to you to assess the information to come to an informed conclusion about the planned project.

    • A number of whales have beached and died in the Atlantic City area where ocean surveying is taking place. The Federal Government has denied that the use of sonar is the cause of the deaths but there is a great deal of speculation about this issue.
    • The JCTA is planning to conduct a survey among the members of its taxpayer organizations in February. This survey is expected to reflect current attitudes and is not intended to be used as a referendum on the proposed wind farm.
  3. Relevant Ordinances Passed on Second Reading
    • 22-25C Establishes the new 2023 water and sewer rates (see below) and an increase of $5 in the cost of pre-season and seasonal beach badges.
    • 22-26 This ordinance, required by the State of New Jersey to be passed annually in all municipalities, includes the adjustments to the salary ranges for all LBT employees.
  4. Relevant Ordinances Moved on First Reading (can be found under January 9th public meeting at this location

    • 23-01C This state-mandated ordinance would require all rental units to have the appropriate insurance coverage.
    • 23-02C This state-mandated ordinance would require all rental units to be inspected for lead-based paint by a professional who is authorized to do so. https://bit.ly/SandpaperLBTOrdinances
    • 23-03C Revises the fee schedule for requests for public records under OPRA (Open Public Records Act). Mayor Mancini noted that often a tremendous amount of time is required to prepared the requested documents for release because all information about individuals not involved in the matter must be completely redacted to ensure their privacy.
    • 23-04C In response to complaints about lighting on rooftop decks in particular, this ordinance would regulate that type of illumination with the goal of minimizing or eliminating light disruption experienced by the neighbors.
    • 23-05C Clarifies the installation process for swimming pools & hot tubs.
  5. Water and Sewer Fees
    • Tracking Your Usage: You can now track your water usage through WaterSmart but you need to register: https://www.longbeachtownship.com/watersmart-info/
      WATER: Your quarterly water bill will include a base water charge plus an additional charge based on the amount of water you use per quarter. The base water charge covers the Township’s cost of maintaining water service to your property. The schedule below shows the charges per quarter per unit in a residential property.

      Base water charge $150 per quarter, per single family residence, plus:

      0 – 15,000 gallons @ $1 per 1,000 gallons
      15,001 – 25,000 gallons @ $2 per 1,000 gallons
      25,001 – 50,000 gallons @ $5 per 1,000 gallons
      50,001 – 100,000 gallons @ $10 per 1,000 gallons
      100,001 – 150,000 gallons @ $13.50 per 1,000 gallons
      150,001+ gallons @ $18 per 1,000 gallons

    • SEWER: Billed quarterly at $150 per quarter, for a single-family residence and $300 per quarter for a duplex (two-family residence). This fee is used to pay for the cost of maintenance and repairs in the sewer service. In addition, an annual surcharge of $100 will be collected during 2023 from all properties that used more than 150,000 gallons of water during 2022. A decision about subsequent surcharges will be determined around this time every year to take effect the following year.
  6. First Responder Support
    • Commissioner Lattanzi stated that he and others on the island are addressing the EMS situation and working on solutions. This problem is not only locally challenging, but it is also a major concern state-wide. Discussions focus on the best ways to ensure timely responses to emergency situations by making sure that responding personnel have all the resources they need and that there are enough qualified people available to utilize those resources.
    • Please consider supporting our nearest First Responders this year. Donations are useful but volunteers are at critical level.
      Beach Haven First Aid
      Beach Haven Fire
      Sandpaper Article on First Responders
  7. Science Saturdays
    • Science Saturdays are back at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences (Loveladies) through March 18. During the winter months, Science Saturday lectures focus on a variety of local topics concerning sustainability issues that directly affect our shore community.
    • Offered via Zoom or in-person when noted on the website, Science Saturdays provides interactive hands-on presentations and covers topics including our coast, flooding and resilience, energy and how to get involved. For more information visit https://www.lbifoundation.org/ and click on Science.