Manasquan Beach Improvement Association
MBIA Trustees
MBIA Trustees Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2025
TRUSTEES PRESENT: Julie Cocozza, Janice Gaswind, Lisa Haas, Mary Lovely, Bennie O’Grady, John O’Grady, Al Sauer, Linda Sims, Jane Swiggett, Cindy Weaver, Helen Young and Bob Young Guests: Tom Sims and Steve Leischner. Borough representatives: Mayor Mike Mangan, Council member Sheila Vidreiro.
Bob Young opened the meeting at 8:30 am. He welcomed Steve and Tom who have expressed an interest in becoming trustees. Both have assisted with a number of MBIA activities over the years.
The minutes of the 5/10/25 meeting were approved via the internet.
Old Business:
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2025 Annual Meeting – Great turnout. Bob stated he believes it was a record turnout. He thanked the trustees and in some cases spouses for assisting. Bob appreciated Sheila’s nice comment about the meeting at the Council Meeting the following Monday.
2025 Annual Meeting – Great turnout. Bob stated he believes it was a record turnout. He thanked the trustees and in some cases spouses for assisting. Bob appreciated Sheila’s nice comment about the meeting at the Council Meeting the following Monday.•Decorated Bicycle Contest judges. Thanks to Mary Lovely, Lisa and Cindy for judging. They feel we need to have a criteria for judging. There were a lot of late registrations.
Decorated Bicycle Contest judges. Thanks to Mary Lovely, Lisa and Cindy for judging. They feel we need to have a criteria for judging. There were a lot of late registrations. •4th of July recognition of MBIA by tourism – parade & plaque. There has been a problem with keeping the bikes in place every year. Julie thanked Mike for his words at the recognition ceremony.
4th of July recognition of MBIA by tourism – parade & plaque. There has been a problem with keeping the bikes in place every year. Julie thanked Mike for his words at the recognition ceremony. •July 13th Brunch Cruise on River Queen. We have 67 people paid and will be registering the MBIA members at the boat and providing name tags.
July 13th Brunch Cruise on River Queen. We have 67 people paid and will be registering the MBIA members at the boat and providing name tags.•CPR for MBIA members – May 17. John said everything went as planned.
CPR for MBIA members – May 17. John said everything went as planned.•Collect soft plastic for MHS. Lisa reached out to Helpsy and we could have a bin for ongoing collections or have multiple drives per year. Sheila said Carmen doesn’t want plastic at the DPW yard. Mike said he thinks we could use the yard as a collection point. Helen stated the soft plastic needs to be clean. On another note, Cindy said she has seen the garbage and recycling placed in the same garbage truck. The Borough has complained about the same issue but some is contaminated. Mike is going to discuss with Carmen the feasibility of a soft plastic bin.
Collect soft plastic for MHS. Lisa reached out to Helpsy and we could have a bin for ongoing collections or have multiple drives per year. Sheila said Carmen doesn’t want plastic at the DPW yard. Mike said he thinks we could use the yard as a collection point. Helen stated the soft plastic needs to be clean. On another note, Cindy said she has seen the garbage and recycling placed in the same garbage truck. The Borough has complained about the same issue but some is contaminated. Mike is going to discuss with Carmen the feasibility of a soft plastic bin.Reports:
•Finances - Al. A register of expenses was distributed. We currently have $12,263 in our bank account.
Finances - Al. A register of expenses was distributed. We currently have $12,263 in our bank account.•Bridge Update – Al/Bob. Al reported in May they had gotten approval from the State. They have to engage a historical person and must create a website for the Library of Congress and some recognition of the current bridge that might have to go on the fishing pier. The County has a year to get this accomplished. Drafts must be sent to agencies, etc. Bob indicated there was a meeting about public construction projects at Brookdale College several weeks ago. One slide indicated the design RFP for the Glimmer Glass Bridge would be released in 11/25. A subsequent slide listed the date as 1/26. In either event it is good short term dates were listed.
Bridge Update – Al/Bob. Al reported in May they had gotten approval from the State. They have to engage a historical person and must create a website for the Library of Congress and some recognition of the current bridge that might have to go on the fishing pier. The County has a year to get this accomplished. Drafts must be sent to agencies, etc. Bob indicated there was a meeting about public construction projects at Brookdale College several weeks ago. One slide indicated the design RFP for the Glimmer Glass Bridge would be released in 11/25. A subsequent slide listed the date as 1/26. In either event it is good short term dates were listed.•Membership – Bob. We have 230 current members. 176 are renewals and 53 are new members (34 were never members of which 21 came from Al’s “Welcome Letters”, 7 from the Happy Hours & 4 from the Annual Meeting). Last year at this time we had 238. Our total 2024 number was 244.
Membership – Bob. We have 230 current members. 176 are renewals and 53 are new members (34 were never members of which 21 came from Al’s “Welcome Letters”, 7 from the Happy Hours & 4 from the Annual Meeting). Last year at this time we had 238. Our total 2024 number was 244.New Business:
•Summer Party – August 23 5:30-7:30. Volunteers? Helen, Linda and Jane are working on the party. The theme is Catch a Wave. They are considering using Blend for the food. We are maintaining the same pricing. Linda passed out a sign-up sheet for help. The ladies are waiting for Chef Lou to respond with pricing.
Summer Party – August 23 5:30-7:30. Volunteers? Helen, Linda and Jane are working on the party. The theme is Catch a Wave. They are considering using Blend for the food. We are maintaining the same pricing. Linda passed out a sign-up sheet for help. The ladies are waiting for Chef Lou to respond with pricing. •Big Sea Day – August 2. Tattoos (10-2) volunteers? Julie passed out a volunteer sheet. Carmen will bring 2 tents, 10 chairs and 1 table. We will sell the remaining shirts and have membership forms right inside the fence. Julie will ask for a separate table for this endeavor. Mary will send out a request for additional volunteers.
Big Sea Day – August 2. Tattoos (10-2) volunteers? Julie passed out a volunteer sheet. Carmen will bring 2 tents, 10 chairs and 1 table. We will sell the remaining shirts and have membership forms right inside the fence. Julie will ask for a separate table for this endeavor. Mary will send out a request for additional volunteers. •Monthly Happy Hour. Coordinator needed, location, continuation? The Salty Whale is expected to be closed shortly after Labor Day. Cindy, Linda and Sheila agreed to coordinate. There was discussion about moving around initially between the Leggett’s, the Committed Pig and the Cantina. The Rail is closed on Wednesday.
Monthly Happy Hour. Coordinator needed, location, continuation? The Salty Whale is expected to be closed shortly after Labor Day. Cindy, Linda and Sheila agreed to coordinate. There was discussion about moving around initially between the Leggett’s, the Committed Pig and the Cantina. The Rail is closed on Wednesday. •Breakfast with the Candidates? (unopposed). Since the Borough Council candidates are running unopposed, we will not have a Breakfast this year.
Breakfast with the Candidates? (unopposed). Since the Borough Council candidates are running unopposed, we will not have a Breakfast this year. •Lisa mentioned she was on Martha’s Vineyard. There were signs done by school children attached at each opening related to keeping the beach clean. We would need Borough approval before proceeding. Al said this could go on the fence. Janice said perhaps it could be done through the Library. Linda questioned if some of the signs as you enter the beach need to be replaced. Sheila said they have ordered a number of new boards. Lisa will follow up.
Lisa mentioned she was on Martha’s Vineyard. There were signs done by school children attached at each opening related to keeping the beach clean. We would need Borough approval before proceeding. Al said this could go on the fence. Janice said perhaps it could be done through the Library. Linda questioned if some of the signs as you enter the beach need to be replaced. Sheila said they have ordered a number of new boards. Lisa will follow up.•We will ask Mary to invite members to attend our next Trustee meeting in September 13. Helen suggested that meeting should be a test case to see what interest there is by our members. There should be a limit to the time for questions and comments from attendees.
We will ask Mary to invite members to attend our next Trustee meeting in September 13. Helen suggested that meeting should be a test case to see what interest there is by our members. There should be a limit to the time for questions and comments from attendees.•Cindy inquired about the white shirts. Bob indicated they are only for the Trustees. Julie has extras in limited sizes, but additional orders require a minimum of 12 shirts. Mike suggested a different supplier where one shirt could be ordered at a time. Tom suggested Vistaprint. There may be other suppliers.
Cindy inquired about the white shirts. Bob indicated they are only for the Trustees. Julie has extras in limited sizes, but additional orders require a minimum of 12 shirts. Mike suggested a different supplier where one shirt could be ordered at a time. Tom suggested Vistaprint. There may be other suppliers. •Bennie brought up the invasive species around the fence. The state is in charge of the issue. The mayor will meet with DEP after the summer to see if we can restrict the continued spread.
Bennie brought up the invasive species around the fence. The state is in charge of the issue. The mayor will meet with DEP after the summer to see if we can restrict the continued spread. •Succession Planning. Bob has had preliminary discussions about identifying replacements for the current executive board. If anyone is interested please let Bob know. This is not to say we are looking at turning over the board in the near term, but should be in a position to do so as needed.
Succession Planning. Bob has had preliminary discussions about identifying replacements for the current executive board. If anyone is interested please let Bob know. This is not to say we are looking at turning over the board in the near term, but should be in a position to do so as needed.•Mayor relayed 2 pieces of information. He recognized the MPD who so far this year have issued 2,681 summons. The following are the approximate end of year summons issued in prior years: 2022 - 2100, 2023 - 2700 2024 - 4200 for the entire year. Police are working on Quality of Life issues. DEP has backed off of the 5’ increase to the BFE at least for the near term..
Mayor relayed 2 pieces of information. He recognized the MPD who so far this year have issued 2,681 summons. The following are the approximate end of year summons issued in prior years: 2022 - 2100, 2023 - 2700 2024 - 4200 for the entire year. Police are working on Quality of Life issues. DEP has backed off of the 5’ increase to the BFE at least for the near term.. The meeting was adjourned.
The next Trustee’s Meeting will be on September 13 at 8:30 a.m. in the Council chamber.
The August Happy Hour will be at the Salty Whale on August 13 starting at 5 p.m.
Our Annual Party will be on August 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the SBLSS
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
Left to Right: Julie Cocozza, Janice Gaswind, Bob Young, Al Sauer, Helen Young, Jane Swiggett, Linda Sims, Lisa Haas, Carol Kirkman, Mary Ryan, John O'Graady, Cindy Weaver. Not pictured: John Casey, Mary Lovely, Bennie O'Grady, Paul Schofield
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)
