Month: May 2023

by

April – May 2023

HTA April-May 2023 Newsletter

As we move into Spring, key issues for your attention are the passing of Commissioner Ralph Bayard, the upcoming Dune Planting on May 20, the May 6 bicycle auction, and a change in the date for the HTA Spring Membership Meeting to June 3.

Please submit your membership form now as this allows us to devote even more time to key activities that benefit Holgate, and you. If you are unsure of your status, reply to this email and we’ll let you know. HTA Membership

April-May Highlights

  1. Condolences
  2. Beach Conditions
  3. Dune Planting
  4. Windmill Survey
  5. Relevant Township Ordinances Passed on Second Reading
  6. Relevant Township Ordinances Moved on First Reading
  7. Beach Badges
  8. LBT Budget
  9. Bike Auction
  10. First Responder Support
  11. Save the Dates

Updates

  1. Condolences
    As you may have heard, LBT Commissioner Ralph Bayard passed away on April 26. He was a gentleman and a tremendous public servant with whom we enjoyed working. He will be missed. https://bit.ly/BayardService
  2. Beach Conditions
    Beaches fared fairly well after last weekend’s extending storms. Still no word on replenishment timing and approval of the steel groins for the south end.

  3. Dune Planting
    Date: Saturday, May 20, 10:00am
    Where: Meet at Tebco Terrace entrance for instructions

    This is one of our most important and successful programs but we can only plant where we have access to water and volunteers for watering. We urgently need many more volunteers as follows:

    • Waterers: People who can regularly water the new plantings for 5-6 weeks, otherwise the plants will die.
    • Oceanfront owners: Must be immediately next to beach entryways to provide access to water at house. The HTA will offer reimbursement for water used.
    • Planters: Probably about 2 hours of planting, could be less if many attend


    Please reply to this email by this weekend if you can help with any of the above 3 by clicking on this Evite link: Dune Planting Response

  4. Windmill Survey
    Results from the JCTA member survey on the proposed wind farm off LBI will be released to our members on May 8. As a reminder, this copyrighted survey is intended to reflect current attitudes and should not be used as a referendum on the proposed wind farm.


    The JCTA’s (Joint Council of Taxpayers Associations of LBI) latest update (#11) of available information is listed on the homepage of the HTA website and addresses submitted questions. Wind Roundup

    • The Wind Roundup summaries do not represent any formal position on the part of the JCTA or the HTA but result from efforts by the JCTA to present as much sourced, and factual data as possible so that people are better educated about the wind projects. The reports are updated throughout the year based on your questions along with new information. It remains up to you to assess the Roundups and to come to an informed conclusion about the planned project.
  5. Relevant Ordinances Passed on Second Reading
    • 23-09C Revises the base charge for water and sewer for duplexes and triplexes in an effort to more closely align that base charge with the base charge paid by owners of single-family homes. Water and sewer combined charge for duplexes in 2023 is reduced from $2,400 per to $1,800; water and sewer combined charge for triplexes in 2023 is reduced from $3,600 to $2,400. Duplex and triplex owners will see a refund for their Q1 overpayment in their Q3 bills.
    • 23-10C Establishes the Township has contracted with a third-party company to handle lead-based paint inspections of certain rental units. Inspections to be paid by the property owner. This inspection only applies to rental properties built before 1978 and rented more than six months per year; it does not apply to short-term rentals.
    • 23-11 Allows LBT to exceed the state-imposed budget cap of 2.5% and increase the budget by up to 3.5% over the prior year, if necessary. It was deemed necessary by LBT due to state-mandated costs.
    • 23-12C Codifies an Emergency Order in place since 2020 which established the midnight to 5 am curfew for people under 18 years of age, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or involved in other specifically defined activities, e.g., engaged in an errand to address a medical emergency.
  6. Relevant Ordinance Moved on First Reading
    First-reading ordinances are available on the LBT website by the Friday following each public meeting. Find them in the LBT Public Meeting Info section within the Government tab under Administration at www.longbeachtownship.com

    • 23-13C Pertains to marinas and authorizes on-premise storage of boats and boating equipment, while prohibiting storage of other equipment such as cranes
    • 23-14C Authorizes creation of volunteer EMS support program
    • 23-15C Lowers speed limit to 20 mph year-round on County Road 43 (Beach Avenue). Some sections of these roads will still have a 15 mph speed limit, particularly in-season, so please be sure to obey posted signs.
    • 23-16C Increases requirement for off-street parking. New homes are often built without enough on-premise parking, forcing people to park on the street. Ordinance will require structures up to 3k square feet to be built with 3 parking spaces on property, structures 3k – 4k square feet to have 4 parking spaces, etc.
  7. Beach Badges
    There will be no letter from the Township this year regarding beach badges as all of the information is now on the LBT website, including a downloadable order form. Click on this link to go to the LBT Beach Patrol page. Please note, senior badges will still require an in-person purchase with ID.
  8. LBT Budget
    Commissioner Lattanzi stated that the municipal tax will be increased this year by 4/10 of a cent per $100 of assessed value. The current rate is $.20 per $100 of assessed value, about half of the municipal tax rate charged in Barnegat Light and Ship Bottom.

    Mayor Mancini explained that the Township’s expenses increased by $860,000 this year, driven primarily by a 24% increase in health insurance premiums, a 30% increase in the required pension contributions, and inflation. The municipal tax rate increase will raise a little over $400,000 with the remainder made up from fees and increased rateables from new construction and the recent property re-evaluation.

    The proposed budget is available for inspection at the Municipal Clerk’s office in the LBT Municipal Building or you may view it online at www.longbeachtownship.com. From the website’s home page, click on Government, then Revenue & Finance under Departments, then click on 2023 INTRO BUDGET on the next screen.

    The second reading of the proposed budget and the vote will take place at the May 1 public meeting.

  9. Bike Auction
    The LBT Police Department will hold its annual bike auction on Saturday May 6th at 11am in the parking lot of the LBT Beach Patrol building at 79th Street. You may arrive as early as 10:30 am to inspect the selection. These bikes come from the collection of unclaimed personal property that has been held by the Township for six months or more.
  10. New First Responder Program
    Commissioner Lattanzi announced the creation of a volunteer emergency medical squad support program in coordination with the Beach Haven First Aid Squad (BHFAS). Ten applications for this program have already been received.

    Volunteers accepted into the program complete online emergency medical technician (EMT) training, if they are not already certified, and then they can go out on emergency calls. The program’s volunteers can earn a stipend based on measurable criteria.

    John Pasquale, the program’s new liaison, was introduced. His job is to manage hiring and the training of the volunteers and to work closely with the Township and BHFAS.

    There is also a volunteer driver program (somebody has to drive the ambulance while EMTs prep their equipment en route to an emergency).

    If you are interested in volunteering, email EMT@longbeachtownship.com.

  11. Save The Dates
    • HTA Dune Planting: Saturday, May 20, 10am – noon
    • HTA Spring Clean-up: Saturday, May 27, 9am – noon
    • HTA Spring Membership Meeting: Saturday, June 3, 10am – noon (DATE CHANGE)
    • HTA Fall Clean-up (All Island), Saturday, September 9, 9am – noon
    • HTA Fall BBQ and Membership Meeting: Saturday, September 9, 5-7pm