By now, Beach Haven residents should have received their tax bill for the third quarter of the 2014 budget, Richard Crane, borough manager, announced during the town’s monthly council meeting held Monday, Aug. 11. The Aug. 1 tax quarter payment is due by Aug. 26. Payments received on or after Aug. 27 will be charged interest back to the statutory due date of Aug. 1.
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| Photo via Google The Aug. 1 tax quarter payment is due by Aug. 26 |
The tax rate is $1.20 per $100 of valuation, which is an increase over 2013 of 5.1 cents, divvied up among the local municipality and Ocean County as well as Beach Haven and Southern Regional school districts. The total amount to be raised through taxation is $19,897,288.04, an increase of $901,612.58, or 4.75 percent over 2013.
For the second year in a row, Crane said, the tax rate for Southern Regional decreased by 2 cents, or $317,759. The county rate increased by 2.1 cents for a rise of $375,022.09. The municipal rate also increased by 4 cents, representing an additional $660,000.
Crane acknowledged the municipality’s tax rate as “one of our larger increases in recent years,” mostly due to Superstorm Sandy-related debt. So far in 2014, the town has been reimbursed $347,906.57 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Together with the $826,119.01 in FEMA funds received in 2013, the town has collected a total of $1,174,025 in storm-related expenses.
“It’s still a long way from what we had to borrow, and there still is a lot more money on the table. But we are making progress,” Crane said.
Town officials are working with the state Office of Emergency Management to receive an additional $900,000 approved by FEMA. Later down the line, about 18 work orders will also need to be determined.
“We’re a long way from done, but the fact that we brought in over $1 million so far in FEMA money, I think, is a good thing,” Crane said.
During the meeting, the council passed on final reading two bond ordinances totaling over $1.6 million for various acquisitions as well as improvements to infrastructure and services in and for Beach Haven.
Also passed on final reading was an ordinance amending an ordinance that will allow the governing body to, by resolution, fix the charge to be levied for parts supplied by the Beach Haven Water Department and to charge for the testing of meters. The ordinance provides for the charges to be levied by the borough for the installation of meter pits, curb boxes and meters as well as for maintenance.
An ordinance amending an ordinance to provide an additional handicapped space on Third Street was adopted on first reading.
In other meeting news, Crane said beach badge sales are at $436,050, which is an increase of $18,720 over last year’s total sales. With three weeks still left in the season, it is possible sales will hit a banner year, he added.
The lifeguards continue to remain active, particularly with the recent storms off the coast, Crane said. Between July 14 and Aug. 11, the crew made 212 rescues, performed 106 preventive measures and responded to 119 first aid calls and 24 EMS calls.
Councilwoman Nancy Davis urged residents to contact her if anyone sees the beach grass and fencing on the dunes being destroyed by others, as there have been some recent issues.
“You should keep an eye on this as a town because we all have a vested interest in this,” she said. “We’ve put a lot of money and time and effort into trying to revitalize our dunes.”
Councilman Charles Maschal urged residents to continue opposing Rutgers University’s seismic testing planned for 15 miles off the coast of Barnegat Light, which was recently postponed until next year.
Mayor Robert Keeler also encouraged residents to come out for a filming of Beach Haven by FOX News on Friday, Aug. 22. Details will be posted on the Visit Beach Haven Facebook page, he said.
During public comment, the council was in favor of Beach Haven resident Ted Zolcinski’s request for the town’s help in setting up pickleball courts at the skating rink on Nelson Avenue.
John Snyder, a resident of South Beach Avenue, expressed concern about the amount of speeding on that particular road, especially since there are many bicyclists traveling the street. He asked the police to patrol the area more closely.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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