Manasquan Beach Improvement Association
MBIA Trustees
MBIA Trustees Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2025
TRUSTEES PRESENT:
John Casey, Julie Cocozza, Janice Gaswind, Lisa Haas, Carol Kirkman, Pat Merz, Bennie O’Grady, John O’Grady, Mary Ryan, Al Sauer, Paul Schofield, Linda Sims, Jane Swiggett, Cindy Weaver, Helen Young and Bob Young,
Guests: Mike Mangan, Sheila Vidreiro and Bruce Bresnahan.
Mary Ryan opened the meeting at 8:30 am.
The minutes of the 1/11/25 meeting were approved via the internet.
Old Business:
Actions on Suggestions from the Membership Committee:
•
MBIA dues 6/1; Happy Hour Renewal Party in May. We agreed to pursue this idea. We will need volunteers to take money and verify information. Mary will touch base with John Casey on the email in connection with the May renewal party. John reminded Mary we need to send out a message for the Happy Hour this Wednesday. Linda and Jane volunteered to greet attendees at the March Happy Hour.
MBIA dues 6/1; Happy Hour Renewal Party in May. We agreed to pursue this idea. We will need volunteers to take money and verify information. Mary will touch base with John Casey on the email in connection with the May renewal party. John reminded Mary we need to send out a message for the Happy Hour this Wednesday. Linda and Jane volunteered to greet attendees at the March Happy Hour.•Business card/article in Borough Newsletter. Mary thanked Mayor Mangan for getting this included in the quarterly newsletter.
Business card/article in Borough Newsletter. Mary thanked Mayor Mangan for getting this included in the quarterly newsletter.•Article in Coast Star. Mary, Carol and Sheila worked on the article in the Coast Star. It will be sent to Keara at Borough Hall for inclusion in the town newsletter.
Article in Coast Star. Mary, Carol and Sheila worked on the article in the Coast Star. It will be sent to Keara at Borough Hall for inclusion in the town newsletter.•Lunch or dinner cruise on River Queen. Lisa said their business primarily caters to private events. The minimum is 35 attendees. However, they do have cruises open to the general public. John Casey suggested we pre-solicit to see if we have enough interest. Helen asked it this would replace the annual party and Lisa/John said it would not. John O’Grady said when we did the boat trip years ago it was the end of year party. The intention of the membership committee is to give members more opportunities to gather as an MBIA group. They do offer a 7/4 fireworks cruise but the Trustees felt this was not a good time. The lunch cruise is $45. They also offer a brunch cruise. The website is riverboattour.com. Mary asked Lisa to propose a plan we would review in May. The Trustees favored a Sunday Brunch tour.
Lunch or dinner cruise on River Queen. Lisa said their business primarily caters to private events. The minimum is 35 attendees. However, they do have cruises open to the general public. John Casey suggested we pre-solicit to see if we have enough interest. Helen asked it this would replace the annual party and Lisa/John said it would not. John O’Grady said when we did the boat trip years ago it was the end of year party. The intention of the membership committee is to give members more opportunities to gather as an MBIA group. They do offer a 7/4 fireworks cruise but the Trustees felt this was not a good time. The lunch cruise is $45. They also offer a brunch cruise. The website is riverboattour.com. Mary asked Lisa to propose a plan we would review in May. The Trustees favored a Sunday Brunch tour.•Whale watching from Belmar. Linda said she did it with the Woman’s Club and it was about $30-$35. We are putting this on hold pending the outcome of the river cruise. It was suggested this might be a good idea after the summer season, perhaps October.
Whale watching from Belmar. Linda said she did it with the Woman’s Club and it was about $30-$35. We are putting this on hold pending the outcome of the river cruise. It was suggested this might be a good idea after the summer season, perhaps October.•April 12 Beach Clean-up. We will ask members to gather at the MBIA refreshment table at 9:10 for a group picture and indicate you can devote as much or as little time as you can to the sweep. The message will remind volunteers to sign up at the Clean Ocean Action website and indicate they are with the MBIA.
April 12 Beach Clean-up. We will ask members to gather at the MBIA refreshment table at 9:10 for a group picture and indicate you can devote as much or as little time as you can to the sweep. The message will remind volunteers to sign up at the Clean Ocean Action website and indicate they are with the MBIA.•Invite members to Board meetings. We agreed to make the members aware they are welcome to attend in person when we meet at Borough Hall.
Invite members to Board meetings. We agreed to make the members aware they are welcome to attend in person when we meet at Borough Hall. •Collect soft plastic for MHS. The Woman’s Club has done this for a couple of years. There are only certain dates when plastic is collected at the Superintendent’s Office. Collecting plastics at other times comes with an issue of interim storage. The Borough officials will investigate a possible location for a bin at the DPW garage. Sheila will report back in May. Lisa and Carol will assist.
Collect soft plastic for MHS. The Woman’s Club has done this for a couple of years. There are only certain dates when plastic is collected at the Superintendent’s Office. Collecting plastics at other times comes with an issue of interim storage. The Borough officials will investigate a possible location for a bin at the DPW garage. Sheila will report back in May. Lisa and Carol will assist.Reports:
•Helen – 2025 Trustee Meeting Dates in the Council Chamber: 5/10, 7/12, 9/13, 11/8. The request has been submitted to the Borough so we are waiting for the approval.
Helen – 2025 Trustee Meeting Dates in the Council Chamber: 5/10, 7/12, 9/13, 11/8. The request has been submitted to the Borough so we are waiting for the approval.•Julie – Beach Badge Donation. Julie indicated that Tracy Sullivan created a Community Pass site for the MBIA to purchase the badges. Typically, the site requires names of individuals being issued the badges which we do not want so this is being worked out. Families in need were identified through the Manasquan Elementary School by Anthony Cinelli who is the school counselor for grades 5-8. A total of 13 adult badges and 11 junior badges are needed for those who are unable to afford badges. We have collected $930. The amount needed to cover the cost of the badges is $1,665. We decided the MBIA would cover the remaining cost while we continue to collection efforts. Bennie suggested we put a bucket out at the Annual Meeting. See the section below on CPR training for an additional idea on collecting.
Julie – Beach Badge Donation. Julie indicated that Tracy Sullivan created a Community Pass site for the MBIA to purchase the badges. Typically, the site requires names of individuals being issued the badges which we do not want so this is being worked out. Families in need were identified through the Manasquan Elementary School by Anthony Cinelli who is the school counselor for grades 5-8. A total of 13 adult badges and 11 junior badges are needed for those who are unable to afford badges. We have collected $930. The amount needed to cover the cost of the badges is $1,665. We decided the MBIA would cover the remaining cost while we continue to collection efforts. Bennie suggested we put a bucket out at the Annual Meeting. See the section below on CPR training for an additional idea on collecting.•Al – Bridge report (Al emailed to Trustees), insurance. Mary gave a readout for Al who had to leave the meeting earlier. There was tentative approval from the historical society to replace the bridge. This is a significant step in the process, however, there are many additional steps in order to get final approval. The recommendation was made in the approval that a plaque be placed on the adjacent fishing pier recognizing the original bridge design. Al did secure insurance for the MBIA for the upcoming year. The new policy price has increased to $940.
Al – Bridge report (Al emailed to Trustees), insurance. Mary gave a readout for Al who had to leave the meeting earlier. There was tentative approval from the historical society to replace the bridge. This is a significant step in the process, however, there are many additional steps in order to get final approval. The recommendation was made in the approval that a plaque be placed on the adjacent fishing pier recognizing the original bridge design. Al did secure insurance for the MBIA for the upcoming year. The new policy price has increased to $940.•Cindy – Flood Mitigation. The subcommittee has been working with the Borough and Chris Tucker who has a plan and subplan on flooding. Some included flood valves and raising roads. The Army Corps of Engineers removed the flood gates from the Manasquan and Barnegat Inlet proposal. There is a 3/25 meeting with town officials scheduled with Chris to review his updates. Cindy would like to see a town wide meeting on this to inform residents and get additional ideas.
Cindy – Flood Mitigation. The subcommittee has been working with the Borough and Chris Tucker who has a plan and subplan on flooding. Some included flood valves and raising roads. The Army Corps of Engineers removed the flood gates from the Manasquan and Barnegat Inlet proposal. There is a 3/25 meeting with town officials scheduled with Chris to review his updates. Cindy would like to see a town wide meeting on this to inform residents and get additional ideas.•John O’Grady – CPR for MBIA members. John schedules training on Saturday mornings. He wants to hold the number of participants to 10-12. He will look to do it on a Saturday in April. The training is free. John suggested when he does a CPR class, he will ask for a donation toward beach badges for the needy related to the issue above.
John O’Grady – CPR for MBIA members. John schedules training on Saturday mornings. He wants to hold the number of participants to 10-12. He will look to do it on a Saturday in April. The training is free. John suggested when he does a CPR class, he will ask for a donation toward beach badges for the needy related to the issue above.•Bob – 2025 Volunteer Day. Bob indicated we have approximately 30 volunteers to work on 5/3. We also have several people willing to assist in prep work the week of April 28. He has not heard from Rich Leonard about tee shirts but if needed we can ask Al’s daughter to make some which would cost approximately $150 and cover the cost through MBIA funds.
Bob – 2025 Volunteer Day. Bob indicated we have approximately 30 volunteers to work on 5/3. We also have several people willing to assist in prep work the week of April 28. He has not heard from Rich Leonard about tee shirts but if needed we can ask Al’s daughter to make some which would cost approximately $150 and cover the cost through MBIA funds.New Business:
•Annual Meeting date, guests, refreshments. John will check to see if 6/14 is available at the First Aid Squad. The back-up date is 6/21. Linda, Janice, Helen and Lisa will handle refreshments. We will invite the mayor, MPD chief, Bruce Bresnahan, Doug Anderson, and Chris Tucker.
Annual Meeting date, guests, refreshments. John will check to see if 6/14 is available at the First Aid Squad. The back-up date is 6/21. Linda, Janice, Helen and Lisa will handle refreshments. We will invite the mayor, MPD chief, Bruce Bresnahan, Doug Anderson, and Chris Tucker. •Bike path study. A Borough committee is currently looking at ideas.
Bike path study. A Borough committee is currently looking at ideas.•Parking and loitering ordinances. Carol questioned the parking on Riverview Drive. Mike said the parking will be the same. These ordinances are to address issues neighbors have had with groups of younger people who linger at the inlet and elsewhere making noise until late at night. The Mayor and Council asked the MPD what is needed to address the quality-of life- issues. The response was that we need parking regulations as well as a curfew.
Parking and loitering ordinances. Carol questioned the parking on Riverview Drive. Mike said the parking will be the same. These ordinances are to address issues neighbors have had with groups of younger people who linger at the inlet and elsewhere making noise until late at night. The Mayor and Council asked the MPD what is needed to address the quality-of life- issues. The response was that we need parking regulations as well as a curfew.•Dates for the party. The mayor’s ball is on 9/5 and the beach party is on 9/13. We may want to have our annual MBIA party on 8/23. The preference is the Squan Beach Life Saving Station as the venue. Helen will reach out to Ron Jacobson to see if the date is available and get approval of use of town property.
Dates for the party. The mayor’s ball is on 9/5 and the beach party is on 9/13. We may want to have our annual MBIA party on 8/23. The preference is the Squan Beach Life Saving Station as the venue. Helen will reach out to Ron Jacobson to see if the date is available and get approval of use of town property.•Lisa mentioned the Backyard Crawl is on 5/17 with 5/18 the back-up and tickets are still available as of this meeting. Manasquan Cares is holding a benefit at the Osprey on 4/12 from 5-9 p.m. They are disbursing the funds from the Mayor’s Ball and other fund-raising activities to residents in need by way of a committee review. The Woman’s Club Health fair will be on 4/5 at the First Aid Squad from 11-3. Mary will send emails to our members to remind them of these activities.
Lisa mentioned the Backyard Crawl is on 5/17 with 5/18 the back-up and tickets are still available as of this meeting. Manasquan Cares is holding a benefit at the Osprey on 4/12 from 5-9 p.m. They are disbursing the funds from the Mayor’s Ball and other fund-raising activities to residents in need by way of a committee review. The Woman’s Club Health fair will be on 4/5 at the First Aid Squad from 11-3. Mary will send emails to our members to remind them of these activities.The meeting was adjourned.
The next Trustee’s Meeting will be on May 10, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. in Borough Hall
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)
