Manasquan Beach Improvement Association
MBIA Trustees
MBIA Trustees Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2024
TRUSTEES PRESENT: Janice Gaswind, Lisa Haas, Carol Kirkman, Mary Lovely, Bennie O'Grady, John O'Grady, Mary Ryan, Al Sauer, Paul Schofield, and Cindy Weaver.
Mary Ryan opened the meeting at 8:30 am.
The minutes of the 09/14/24 meeting were approved via the internet.
Old Business:
•
Speaker System Problems - John checked and is still looking into it further. Should be working fine, but still in not resolved.
Speaker System Problems - John checked and is still looking into it further. Should be working fine, but still in not resolved. •Little League Field - Large weeds are growing into the new sand lot. Someone will contact the Little League who should be maintaining the property.
Little League Field - Large weeds are growing into the new sand lot. Someone will contact the Little League who should be maintaining the property.•10/1/2024 - BPU meeting about wind turbines in Wall - Al gave an update. Some of the focus was difficult to hear, especially the playing of a recording, so he reviewed it again online. Because the power is in direct current, rather than alternating current, there are no dangerous EMFs as there are with overhead power lines. The emissions are no greater than those of magnets on our refrigerator. Al looked that up online and found that was correct. He spoke and told them that they needed to satisfy people that there was no danger from the power lines and communicate what the cost of electricity will be. Some reports are that there will not be a gross increase in rates and some reports are that the costs could quadruple.
10/1/2024 - BPU meeting about wind turbines in Wall - Al gave an update. Some of the focus was difficult to hear, especially the playing of a recording, so he reviewed it again online. Because the power is in direct current, rather than alternating current, there are no dangerous EMFs as there are with overhead power lines. The emissions are no greater than those of magnets on our refrigerator. Al looked that up online and found that was correct. He spoke and told them that they needed to satisfy people that there was no danger from the power lines and communicate what the cost of electricity will be. Some reports are that there will not be a gross increase in rates and some reports are that the costs could quadruple.•Beach Sweep - Thank you John Casey, Julie Cocozza, Mary Lovely - The MBIA provided coffee and donuts. It was a beautiful day and there was great participation to clean the beach.
Beach Sweep - Thank you John Casey, Julie Cocozza, Mary Lovely - The MBIA provided coffee and donuts. It was a beautiful day and there was great participation to clean the beach.•Flooding Committee meet with OEM - Public meeting in 2025 - Cindy will write a letter to members on information about the meeting.
Flooding Committee meet with OEM - Public meeting in 2025 - Cindy will write a letter to members on information about the meeting.•Survey - 38 responses by MBIA members.
Survey - 38 responses by MBIA members.Reports:
•Carol - Beautification Committee, Christmas beach decorations - Brian Holly approved the MBIA donations for 2 wreaths being made for the new Sea Watch building on the beach side. The Beautification Committee will purchase one large wreath for the backside of the building from the same company used last year. Helen has already ordered the MBIA wreaths with lights according to Al. Linda will work on new signage needed since some did not hold up well from the weather last year. Paul offered to help out with putting up the wreaths this year.
Carol - Beautification Committee, Christmas beach decorations - Brian Holly approved the MBIA donations for 2 wreaths being made for the new Sea Watch building on the beach side. The Beautification Committee will purchase one large wreath for the backside of the building from the same company used last year. Helen has already ordered the MBIA wreaths with lights according to Al. Linda will work on new signage needed since some did not hold up well from the weather last year. Paul offered to help out with putting up the wreaths this year. •Al - bridge news, virtual meeting 12/19/24. Al reported that the hearing before the Historic Sites Council of the NJDEP concerning the Glimmer Glass Bridge which was scheduled for October 17 was postponed to December 19 because of a lack of a quorum. This is the most important hearing because they will decide whether they recommend allowing the County to replace the bridge rather than restoring it with its present dimensions. Al wants to speak at that hearing. The meeting is virtual and he is waiting for an answer as to how he can do that. He will be speaking to the County to make sure they send the State the side by side rendering of the old and proposed new bridges so they can see that they look very similar, thus preserving the aesthetics. He obtained a copy of the 800+ page Alternative Analysis prepared by the County's consultant. However, it did not include those pictures. Since the Historic Register indicates that the importance of the bridge is not the structure but rather the engineering and the aesthetics, it is most important that the Council see that the aesthetics have been preserved. The County is using the same engineering.
Al - bridge news, virtual meeting 12/19/24. Al reported that the hearing before the Historic Sites Council of the NJDEP concerning the Glimmer Glass Bridge which was scheduled for October 17 was postponed to December 19 because of a lack of a quorum. This is the most important hearing because they will decide whether they recommend allowing the County to replace the bridge rather than restoring it with its present dimensions. Al wants to speak at that hearing. The meeting is virtual and he is waiting for an answer as to how he can do that. He will be speaking to the County to make sure they send the State the side by side rendering of the old and proposed new bridges so they can see that they look very similar, thus preserving the aesthetics. He obtained a copy of the 800+ page Alternative Analysis prepared by the County's consultant. However, it did not include those pictures. Since the Historic Register indicates that the importance of the bridge is not the structure but rather the engineering and the aesthetics, it is most important that the Council see that the aesthetics have been preserved. The County is using the same engineering.• Lisa for Membership - food donations, Toys for Tots at Salty Whale in December - Trustees discussed all different options so not to overlap with other civic groups doing the same things. Mary stated there is too much duplication of gift cards. Other groups donate to food drives. Trustees agreed with Mary that maybe we could find something that aligns with our message of the beach. Maybe look at possible donation of money for beach badges awarded to a family in need in Manasquan. Mary will talk with Pip about the possibility to get badges at a reduced rate since it will help some disadvantaged family or two and if it is possible to even do so. It would be a unique way to get donations from members aligned with beach activities. If possible, someone at the school district could be helpful to identify a list of people in need. Badges would not be offered until late spring. Donations could be cash or maybe extended to using a Zelle account. Al is going to talk with Provident Bank about Zelle to learn more about it.
Lisa for Membership - food donations, Toys for Tots at Salty Whale in December - Trustees discussed all different options so not to overlap with other civic groups doing the same things. Mary stated there is too much duplication of gift cards. Other groups donate to food drives. Trustees agreed with Mary that maybe we could find something that aligns with our message of the beach. Maybe look at possible donation of money for beach badges awarded to a family in need in Manasquan. Mary will talk with Pip about the possibility to get badges at a reduced rate since it will help some disadvantaged family or two and if it is possible to even do so. It would be a unique way to get donations from members aligned with beach activities. If possible, someone at the school district could be helpful to identify a list of people in need. Badges would not be offered until late spring. Donations could be cash or maybe extended to using a Zelle account. Al is going to talk with Provident Bank about Zelle to learn more about it.•Mary Lovely – Salty Whale Happy Hours - The last Happy Hour had 39 attending with 4 new memberships.
Mary Lovely – Salty Whale Happy Hours - The last Happy Hour had 39 attending with 4 new memberships.•Mary Ryan – Membership - We had 216 members at this time last year, and 243 this year. 39 people have not renewed yet this year. Discussion was held about offering more opportunities for members to become involved. John O'Grady talked about how the CPR classes at the Manasquan First Aid were attended and received. An email could be sent to all MBIA members stating how helpful the classes would be, especially when so many people go to the beach when lifeguards/EMT's are not there. Many MBIA members may not receive information on classes offered through the Rec. Department. We will continue to discuss membership ideas at the next meeting.
Mary Ryan – Membership - We had 216 members at this time last year, and 243 this year. 39 people have not renewed yet this year. Discussion was held about offering more opportunities for members to become involved. John O'Grady talked about how the CPR classes at the Manasquan First Aid were attended and received. An email could be sent to all MBIA members stating how helpful the classes would be, especially when so many people go to the beach when lifeguards/EMT's are not there. Many MBIA members may not receive information on classes offered through the Rec. Department. We will continue to discuss membership ideas at the next meeting.•Al - Financial Report - We have $9,089 in the bank.
Al - Financial Report - We have $9,089 in the bank.New Business:
•Duplicate notices from town and MBIA - John Casey's ideas about this issue were written up in meeting minutes to be sent out to Trustees by Mary to discuss more at the January zoom meeting. Al suggested only sending MBIA emails when a town email was not sent on the same subject. He also suggested that renewal notices should contain boxes to check off on the types of emails the member wants to receive. It was ultimately decided that Mary will send an email in January to indicate that the MBIA will stop sending town emails under the MBIA heading and place a link to the town site so members can add themselves to the Manasquan information system.
Duplicate notices from town and MBIA - John Casey's ideas about this issue were written up in meeting minutes to be sent out to Trustees by Mary to discuss more at the January zoom meeting. Al suggested only sending MBIA emails when a town email was not sent on the same subject. He also suggested that renewal notices should contain boxes to check off on the types of emails the member wants to receive. It was ultimately decided that Mary will send an email in January to indicate that the MBIA will stop sending town emails under the MBIA heading and place a link to the town site so members can add themselves to the Manasquan information system. •John - EMT with First Aid Squad - The town has to decide in January 2025 if it will sign for three years of the Belmar paid ambulance service at approximately $500K per year. The County says they want to service the town with volunteers. The police chief does not want the town First Aid Squad to take the service back since he believes the Belmar paid service is more reliable.
John - EMT with First Aid Squad - The town has to decide in January 2025 if it will sign for three years of the Belmar paid ambulance service at approximately $500K per year. The County says they want to service the town with volunteers. The police chief does not want the town First Aid Squad to take the service back since he believes the Belmar paid service is more reliable.•Al - Beach Generator - The town officials will not tell why they sided with SMERCA to keep the generator in place with a fence surrounding it. SMERCA will keep it where it is right now. It will not be moved to the town property behind the Life Saving Station.
Al - Beach Generator - The town officials will not tell why they sided with SMERCA to keep the generator in place with a fence surrounding it. SMERCA will keep it where it is right now. It will not be moved to the town property behind the Life Saving Station.The meeting was adjourned.
The next Trustee’s Meeting will be on January 11, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Happy Hour at the Salty Whale - 2nd Wednesday of the month
MBIA Bridge Committee Presentation to Manasquan Borough Council - 10/01/12
GLIMMER GLASS BRIDGE REPORT
BY MANASQUAN BEACH IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Council Presentation October 1, 2012
- Studies show bridge falling apart and MUST be replaced; Childs independent? study; Cycle 14 draft report.
- HISTORIC REGISTRY DOES NOT MEAN BRIDGE CAN'T BE REPLACED.
- Originally built as a wooden trestle bridge (without a draw) over 100 years ago before cars; 16 feet wide, 585 feet long.
- Draw span (20 feet wide) built over 100 years ago for spanning Pt. Pleasant Canal (before cars).
- Draw span installed in wooden trestle in 1938; originally hand operated.
- Completely rebuilt in 1950; entire bridge raised 5 feet; shortened to 279 feet; motorized; more counterweights added.
- Numerous repairs and replacements to date; only original parts are two sheaves (wheels at to
- Placed on State and Federal Historic Registers in 2008.
- Historic significance is technology (rolling counterweight design) and aesthetics being preserved by County compromise.
- Bridge is in such bad condition, none of the structure can be salvaged; all piles, supports, bridge deck will be thrown away.
- Estimated life of a new wooden bridge is 35-50 years; estimated life of the proposed bridge is 75 years.
- County traffic count July 9-15, 2007: 6,480 average daily vehicles; 5,905 average weekday vehicles; 7,726 average weekend vehicles.
- MBIA traffic count May 26, 2012 8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.: 4,138 vehicles; 688 bicycles; 21 skateboards; 372 pedestrians; traffic stopped 4:24 hours; open 5:36 hours; 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m., traffic stopped 3:30 hours; open 2:30 hours.
- Road is almost becoming impassable in summer due to opening/closing taking so long; long lines of cars.
- Safety is most important issue for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. Complete Streets.
- Current standards: two 12 foot width lanes; two 4 foot wide shoulders.
- Main access for residents living south of Brielle Road and for Brielle and Point Pleasant emergency response.
- The County has been working out a plan for the bridge since the early 1990 Asbury Park Press, 8-17-07.
- Project authorized 4-14-94 for $1,000,000.00; studies to date over $700,000.00.
- Wooden bridge would have CCA and AZCA (arsenic).
- Brielle Resolution 8-18-03 (#111-03) and Manasquan Resolution 9-8-03 (#03-70-A) call for complete replacement of bridge.
- Manasquan Resolution 5-19-08 (#69-08) to repair, rehabilitate or replace bridge ASAP; provide for pedestrians and bicycles; preserve character;
- Issues of public safety should be treated as paramount to other considerations.
- No more delays; we must act NOW.
Please see the MBIA Bridge Committee Presentation to Manasquan Borough Counctil on below
Seated (left to right) : Julie Cocozza, Mary Ryan, Cindy Weaver, Lisa Haas. Standing (left to right) Helen Young, Bennie O'Grady, Bob Young, John O'Grady, Linda Sims, John Casey, Al Sauer, Mary Lovely. Not picured: Janice Gaswind, Carol Kirkman, Pat Merz, Paul Schofield, Jane Swiggett,
Report on North Beach Ramp
Mary was previously given surveys by Tom Flarity of the properties on both sides of the North Beach Ramp. Upon review of them, they were not in agreement as to the location of the improvements along and on the 4 foot ramp. However, actual measurements between improvements on each side of the ramp indicated that the useable area was mostly 42 inches but in some places as narrow as 38 inches.Consequently we were asked to set-up a meeting with Tom Flarity and to try to get the Borough to order its own survey to determine who was encroaching on the 4 foot width and by how much. Bob Young and I attended a meeting on September 7, 2018 with Tom Flarity, Councilman Jim Walsh, and Frank DeRomo from the Building Department. We were surprised to see that the Borough had done a survey of the ramp property in 2017. In addition to the 4 foot width of the Borough property for the ramp, in 1968 the Borough was granted an easement by the owner of the property on the north side of the ramp to build an 8 inch wide masonry wall on that owner’s property. Therefore, we had always assumed that the wall was properly located and that would meant that the owner on the south was the one that was encroaching into the easement. However, this survey showed that most of the wall was built within the 4 foot ramp area and not where it was supposed to have been built. Therefore, when the owner on the south fenced in his property, his fence was put mostly on his own property. The survey did show that the fence, at one point, encroaches at most .13 of a foot (which is about an inch and a half) into the ramp area. Consequently, there is no gripe as to the owner on the south. This was pointed out to the Borough in 2017 by the attorney for the owner on the north. The attorney also pointed out that it was the Borough’s obligation to maintain that wall but that the Borough had not done so since it has many cracks and deficiencies in it. The Borough advised that once they were aware of this and of what sort of cost the Borough would have to expend in order to remove and replace the wall in its proper location, they did not feel it was economically feasible for them to take any further action.The Borough’s 2017 survey was too large for them to make a copy for us at the meeting. However, they did agree to send it out for copying and would send us a copy of it.We did point out that the painted crosswalk at the corner of Stockton Lake Boulevard and First Avenue goes directly across the street at right angles to First Avenue and ends up misleading pedestrians that this is the place where the public ramp is located. In fact, the public ramp is several doors to the south. While MBIA has previously requested the Borough on several occasions to relocate the painted crosswalk, the Borough has never done anything about it. However, this time they agreed that they should either angle the crosswalk from the corner to the public ramp or move the crosswalk south so that it goes from the west side of First Avenue directly to the public ramp.Alfred H. Sauer
Ci/MBIA-091218Reprt
MBIA Report - Potter's Beach Access (9/12/18)
