Manasquan Beach Improvement Association
MBIA Trustees
MBIA Trustees Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2023
TRUSTEES PRESENT: John Casey, Julie Cocozza, Lisa Haas, Pat Merz, Mary Ryan, Al Sauer, Linda Sims, Jane Swiggett, Helen Young and Bob Young
Mary Ryan opened the meeting at 8:35 am.
The minutes of the 07/08/23 meeting were approved via the internet.
Old Business:
•
Tee shirt sales, reorders. The shirts have been a booming success. We initially received 86 shirts. Trustees purchased 12, Big Sea Day - 47, Salty Whale -3, post Salty Whale - 2 and mail in sales - 25. We received $1780 and paid $415. Net $1,365. We need to order 7 to fulfill small, medium and large requests. Mary asked if we should order additional shirts. We discussed possible beneficiaries for the proceeds. Mary mentioned Christmas decorations at the beach. Helen suggested we volunteer to decorate the beach office, gazebos and Sea Watch once it completed. The group suggested wreaths or bows on benches and wreaths on the gazebos. Helen questioned storage for items that are reusable. Mary will discuss with Al. Helen suggested we need to organize a committee. Mary volunteered to be the chair with Lisa, Helen, Jane, Linda and Al on the committee. Mary will send out a request to the Borough Council to get permission to decorate on town property. We agreed that the spending limit would be under $1500. Jane suggested we should have a table at the tug of war. Helen will make the request to Barbara Ilaria. (We subsequently received permission to set up a table at no cost per Pip Ertle.) The shirt order numbers are TBD.
Tee shirt sales, reorders. The shirts have been a booming success. We initially received 86 shirts. Trustees purchased 12, Big Sea Day - 47, Salty Whale -3, post Salty Whale - 2 and mail in sales - 25. We received $1780 and paid $415. Net $1,365. We need to order 7 to fulfill small, medium and large requests. Mary asked if we should order additional shirts. We discussed possible beneficiaries for the proceeds. Mary mentioned Christmas decorations at the beach. Helen suggested we volunteer to decorate the beach office, gazebos and Sea Watch once it completed. The group suggested wreaths or bows on benches and wreaths on the gazebos. Helen questioned storage for items that are reusable. Mary will discuss with Al. Helen suggested we need to organize a committee. Mary volunteered to be the chair with Lisa, Helen, Jane, Linda and Al on the committee. Mary will send out a request to the Borough Council to get permission to decorate on town property. We agreed that the spending limit would be under $1500. Jane suggested we should have a table at the tug of war. Helen will make the request to Barbara Ilaria. (We subsequently received permission to set up a table at no cost per Pip Ertle.) The shirt order numbers are TBD.•Replacement playground equipment for Elks’ Beach / tire swing. The existing equipment has deteriorated and the replacement equipment arrived in August. It is currently stored outside the Life Saving Station awaiting installation.
Replacement playground equipment for Elks’ Beach / tire swing. The existing equipment has deteriorated and the replacement equipment arrived in August. It is currently stored outside the Life Saving Station awaiting installation.• Inclusive (handicapped accessible) swing info/talk with Carmen. Tabled since this is not viable.
Inclusive (handicapped accessible) swing info/talk with Carmen. Tabled since this is not viable.Reports:
•Al – Finance report, shirt revenues. We are flush with revenue from the shirts and party. As of the meeting, we have $9,785 in our account.
Al – Finance report, shirt revenues. We are flush with revenue from the shirts and party. As of the meeting, we have $9,785 in our account.•Mary – Membership numbers. We have 207 vs. 226 from last year. Total new members were 45, 20 who didn’t pay in 2022 and 25 are brand new. From the tax list we got 12, 5 from the Salty Whale and 4 from the Annual Meeting. 34 paid with check or cash and 11 paid via Paypal. Lisa asked for a list of current members. Mary will ask Art to send it out to the Trustees.
Mary – Membership numbers. We have 207 vs. 226 from last year. Total new members were 45, 20 who didn’t pay in 2022 and 25 are brand new. From the tax list we got 12, 5 from the Salty Whale and 4 from the Annual Meeting. 34 paid with check or cash and 11 paid via Paypal. Lisa asked for a list of current members. Mary will ask Art to send it out to the Trustees.•John/Bob – July & August Happy Hours at the Salty Whale. It has been very well received. Upcoming dates for happy hours are October 11 and November 9.
John/Bob – July & August Happy Hours at the Salty Whale. It has been very well received. Upcoming dates for happy hours are October 11 and November 9. •Membership Committee Assignments – Assuming membership duties held by John Casey. John will do the Facebook page and the Salty Whale. We need to figure out how to break out the other responsibilities and discuss initiatives for next year. Unfortunately, the tax mailing did not seem to be effective.
Membership Committee Assignments – Assuming membership duties held by John Casey. John will do the Facebook page and the Salty Whale. We need to figure out how to break out the other responsibilities and discuss initiatives for next year. Unfortunately, the tax mailing did not seem to be effective. •Julie – Big Sea Day Tattoos on August 5. It was a successful day. We gave out approximately 284 tattoos. Mario Bros. was the most popular tattoo. We sold out of the American flag tattoo. The Elks Beach was a perfect location. Lisa said judging the sand castle competition was very difficult. She thinks Tourism needs to revamp the categories.
Julie – Big Sea Day Tattoos on August 5. It was a successful day. We gave out approximately 284 tattoos. Mario Bros. was the most popular tattoo. We sold out of the American flag tattoo. The Elks Beach was a perfect location. Lisa said judging the sand castle competition was very difficult. She thinks Tourism needs to revamp the categories.•Lisa – Serving midnight pancakes at the Inlet. Riverside Café had a sign advertising pancakes from midnight to 3 a.m. on Thursday – Saturday night. She is unaware of any issues
Lisa – Serving midnight pancakes at the Inlet. Riverside Café had a sign advertising pancakes from midnight to 3 a.m. on Thursday – Saturday night. She is unaware of any issues•Helen/Linda – Summer party at the SBLSS – Sep 9 5:30-7:30. Helen stated 73 people are signed up. There were only 50 or so a few days ago. Linda sent out the volunteer reminder earlier in the week. There will be some fun decorations. The air conditioning is not working and will not be fixed for the event. We are hoping the bad weather will hold out and we can open the barn doors and use the outside space.
Helen/Linda – Summer party at the SBLSS – Sep 9 5:30-7:30. Helen stated 73 people are signed up. There were only 50 or so a few days ago. Linda sent out the volunteer reminder earlier in the week. There will be some fun decorations. The air conditioning is not working and will not be fixed for the event. We are hoping the bad weather will hold out and we can open the barn doors and use the outside space.New Business:
•Breakfast with the Candidates – October 28 starting at 9 a.m. First Aid Building. John O'Grady will likely have it set up. Linda will oversee refreshments. Mary will request attendees to submit questions prior to the meeting. Helen will bring the microphone that she had previously ordered. Mike Mangan told Mary early voting will have already begun before the meeting date. We will take this into account when scheduling future meetings.
Breakfast with the Candidates – October 28 starting at 9 a.m. First Aid Building. John O'Grady will likely have it set up. Linda will oversee refreshments. Mary will request attendees to submit questions prior to the meeting. Helen will bring the microphone that she had previously ordered. Mike Mangan told Mary early voting will have already begun before the meeting date. We will take this into account when scheduling future meetings.•Fundraising project for shirt money. Proceeds will be dedicated to the Christmas decorations. See summary above for details.
Fundraising project for shirt money. Proceeds will be dedicated to the Christmas decorations. See summary above for details.•Sea Watch – Al stated the construction is suppose to begin next week. The contract is 1059 pages and does not say what is being built. Al spoke with the Borough Engineer who said you need to get a copy of the drawings which he has requested via OPRA. The engineer said the penalty was $500 a day for being late in completion. Al mentioned he could not find any provision for being late in the contract.
Sea Watch – Al stated the construction is suppose to begin next week. The contract is 1059 pages and does not say what is being built. Al spoke with the Borough Engineer who said you need to get a copy of the drawings which he has requested via OPRA. The engineer said the penalty was $500 a day for being late in completion. Al mentioned he could not find any provision for being late in the contract. •E-bikes. Al mentioned the new ordinance prohibiting the bikes on all public property which was detailed in the Coast Star and will be discussed at the next council meeting. The current ordinance prohibits motorized vehicles on the boardwalk and it is not enforced so why is this going to make a difference? A requirement for wearing helmets is not mentioned in the article.
E-bikes. Al mentioned the new ordinance prohibiting the bikes on all public property which was detailed in the Coast Star and will be discussed at the next council meeting. The current ordinance prohibits motorized vehicles on the boardwalk and it is not enforced so why is this going to make a difference? A requirement for wearing helmets is not mentioned in the article.•We will hold Zoom Trustee meetings in January and March next year and meet in person the rest of the year. Helen will put together a proposed 2023 schedule and will then request use of the Council chamber for the in person meetings.
We will hold Zoom Trustee meetings in January and March next year and meet in person the rest of the year. Helen will put together a proposed 2023 schedule and will then request use of the Council chamber for the in person meetings.The meeting was adjourned.
The next Trustee’s Meeting will be on November 11 at 8:30 a.m. in Borough Hall
Summer Party – Sep 9 at the SBLSS from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
MBIA Happy Hour at the Salty Whale on October 11 and November 9 starting at 5 p.m.
Breakfast with the Candidates – October 28, 2023 at 9 a.m.
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
Front row: Bob Young, Mary Lovely, Carol Kirkman (left to right): Second row: Al Sauer, Pat Merz, Janice Gaswind, Mary Ryan, Linda Sims, Julie Cocozza, Bennie O'Grady, John O'Grady, Helen Young, John Casey Not pictured: Lisa Haas, Heather 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)
