Property revaluation in Beach Haven to begin in spring

A revaluation of all Beach Haven properties should begin in early spring and continue throughout summer.

The Ocean County Board of Taxation ordered the borough to conduct the revaluation last year because its ratio of assessed value to true value is down to 83.57 percent. The town’s last evaluation was conducted in 2004.

Photo via LBI Realty Group
About 40 percent of the properties
are classified as condominiums.

When the borough’s existing tax maps were sent to the state Division of Taxation last year, they were not in compliance with current standards, which require more detail of the town’s condominiums.

“Believe it or not, approximately 40 percent of our properties are actually classified as condominiums, so we’re talking about a lot of areas on our maps,” Borough Manager Richard Crane stated at the town council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Because of the discrepancy, the borough received a one-year extension for the revaluation. The tax maps were finally approved two weeks ago. Officials are now allowed to move ahead with the revaluation, which will take place during calendar year 2016 with the values that go on the books for tax year 2017. Vital Communications of Trenton will be handling the process.

“Don’t be surprised if you get a card or a knock on the door and it’s a representative from Vital Communications,” said Crane.

Moving Along

In other news, a $233,534 contract has been awarded to Buterick Bulkheading of Manahawkin for the installation of pilings for the town’s new municipal building. The bid is $144,897 below the architect’s estimate.

“Hopefully we can use that (remaining money) for some other parts of the project,” Crane said.

The borough manager also noted the bid is “significantly less” than what was offered by three other bidders in December.

Work on the pilings should begin by the first week of February.

Good News, Bad News

Local resident Kristy Davis, who has worked for the borough for over four years on a part-time basis, has been appointed the new deputy clerk as well as deputy registrar of vital statistics. She is taking over for Lauren Liquori, who started as a Stockton intern and is now moving to Florida.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.