MANTOLOKING–On May 2nd, to much media fan fare, the iconic home in the Barnegat Bay was removed.  Last week, Crowder Gulf removed the last home from the northern portion of the Barnegat Bay, which sat adjacent to the Mantoloking Bridge, with very little media fan fare.   The Ocean Signal was on scene for the removal.

Photos by Phil Stilton / Ocean Signal.

Over 100 homes to be razed through Toms River’s PPDR program

TOMS RIVER – Mayor Tom Kelaher is pleased to announce that the Township’s demolition program will begin this Saturday. “Our residents are eager to start the rebuilding process,” Kelaher said. Hurricane Sandy damaged over 6,500 homes on the barrier island and almost 4,000 homes on the mainland. “Most of the homes had some form of flooding, but a lot of the dwellings will need to be knocked down because of structural problems,” Kelaher stated.
Toms River residents with structurally damaged homes were mailed a packet of information encouraging them to enroll in the Township’s Private Property Debris Removal Program, or PPDR. Assistant Township Planner Erika Stahl has been assisting homeowners in registering for the PPDR program, which is free to residents who have homes that have been structurally damaged. Stahl says, “Enrollment in the program must be approved by FEMA, which can take a while because there are many steps involved.”
According to Public Works Director Lou Amoruso, “We are starting our demolition program on Saturday May 17th. We will begin by taking down a structure on Seagull Lane and then move onto Beier and Nichols Avenue in Ortley Beach.”
After the first round of Ortley Beach homes are demolished, the contractor will move onto the North Beach area and also homes on the mainland.
The Township’s Demolition program will cover the cost of demolition and removal of homes, if approved beforehand. The PPDR program will also cover the removal of debris such as sand, neighbor’s dwelling or buildings, and other debris that may have floated onto another property.

The top five boys and girls names for 2012 in New Jersey were:

Boys:                                       Girls:

1)  Michael                              1)   Sophia

2)  Anthony                             2)   Isabella

3)  Joseph                                3)   Emma

4)  Jayden                                4)   Olivia

5)  Matthew                            5)   Ava

SEASIDE PARK – About 60 residents here came together yesterday to enjoy Derby Day at the Windjammer Motor Inn through the annual spring fundraiser fundraiser hosted by the Seaside Park Beautification Committee.
The fun started in the late afternoon with food and games, including raffle prizes and a hat contest featuring the outlandish designs put together in true Kentucky Derby tradition.
As the race got underway, almost all present crowded around televisions to cheer on their picks as Orb, ridden by Joel Rosario, won on a muddy track with a time of 2 minutes and 2.89 seconds.
Proceeds from the event were to go toward replacing the tree that stood outside borough offices and the police department but was lost during Hurricane Sandy. The tree was the focus of numerous borough events, including the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and activities for Summer in the Park, the borough’s business association.
For more information on the Seaside Park Beautification Committee, please visit www.sspbeautification.com. Summer in the Park can be found at www.seasideparktourism.com.

Volunteers took a break from creating piles of debris to be cleaned up as part of Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweep while others planted dunegrass for Seaside Park’s day of service.

by Erik Weber

SEASIDE PARK – The beachfront and bayside here bustled with activity this morning with beaches opening to the public at 7 am and volunteers from the borough and beyond participating in both Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweep and an official municipal day of service.
Beginning at 9 am, the statewide environmental volunteer organization facilitated the collection and compilation of various debris remaining across the beaches from last October’s hurricane and subsequent storms. At 10 am, borough officials kicked off their day of service, with dunegrass planting on the oceanfront and the painting of benches and lifeguard supply boxes corralled at the marina for the work.
Metered parking enforcement is suspended for the duration of today, Saturday, April 27th.
Though beaches are now open to the public, swimming is prohibited and patrons are expected to follow the normal rules and regulations posted at beach entrances.

TRENTON-The Christie Administration announced today that New Jersey residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy now have until April 1, 2013 to register for individual disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The deadline extension applies for homeowner, renter, and business registration with the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Disaster Loan Assistance, another important step in the disaster relief process to ensure survivors obtain all relief they are eligible for.

“This 30-day extension will help us ensure that anyone who has been affected by Sandy gets the help they need and deserve,” said Governor Christie. “It’s vitally important for people to know that the process of receiving any type of federal disaster assistance – including future grant assistance for homeowners and businesses – begins with registering as a disaster survivor with FEMA and working with a coordinator to determine eligibility for relief. I encourage those who have not yet registered with FEMA and SBA to do so now to get the relief they are entitled to and to ensure their eligibility for any future relief we can offer.”

It is crucial that individuals register with FEMA and that businesses and individuals complete the SBA loan application so State officials can continue to compile an accurate, comprehensive picture of the damage and the need for additional disaster recovery assistance. Moreover, for businesses, an SBA Disaster Loan represents the best opportunity for disaster assistance. There is no obligation to accept an SBA disaster home loan even after applying, but homeowners and renters may become eligible for additional assistance in the future.

Of note, apart from the April 1 SBA Disaster Loan deadline for property damage, businesses also have until July 31 to apply for SBA economic injury disaster loans. All homeowners, renters, and businesses are encouraged to register with FEMA and SBA to ensure eligibility for future forms of aid.

People with storm losses in all counties can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov and via smart phone or tablet here.

Survivors also can register by phone or 711/VRS by calling 800-621-3362, TTY800-462-7585.

At the request of the State, FEMA extended the registration deadline another 30 days due to the magnitude of the storm disaster.

The disaster registration process serves as a referral point for FEMA programs and those of partner agencies such as the SBA, American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.FEMA disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

TRENTON–Taking action to support shore businesses as they make preparations for the 2013 tourism season, Governor Chris Christie today signed Executive Order No. 126 allowing seasonal alcoholic beverage licensees to begin serving alcohol on March 1, two months ahead of the traditional allowance of May 1.

“Some of the most adverse effects in terms of lost commerce and economic activity from Superstorm Sandy were on our shore businesses that rely on seasonal alcoholic beverage licenses. These small businesses were unable to remain open for the full extent typically permitted under their licenses – May until mid-November – because of the mandatory evacuations, power outages, and other disruptions caused by Sandy through difficult weeks,” said Governor Christie. “We’ve listened to our small business community on the shore and are taking action today to deliver relief this season by providing for a two-month expansion for seasonal alcoholic beverage licensees, allowing them to begin opening and conducting business beginning on March 1 rather than waiting until the typical May 1 start.”

Under the provision of the Executive Order, for calendar year 2013, the date on which seasonal alcoholic beverage consumption licensees shall be permitted to commence serving alcoholic beverages shall be advanced from May 1, 2013 to March 1, 2013 and shall end on November 14, 2013, inclusive.

LAVALETTE–On Friday, a benefit was held at the newly re-opened Crabs Claw Inn restaurant here.  Proceeds were donated to the Lavallette First Aid Station and the Bucket Brigade of New Jersey.

Scott Zabelski and his team at Blue Wave Printing donated $1,000 to the event from proceeds from their popular “Restore the Shore” line of clothing.

Entertainment was provided by Big Baby Ernie.

Photo by Blue Wave Printing

Route 35 North facing south in Seaside Park. Erik Weber / Ocean Signal

The Office of the Governor issued the following press release.

TRENTON – Taking action to repair and restore the Jersey shore’s transportation system, Governor Chris Christie today announced an aggressive schedule to completely rebuild a 12.5-mile storm-damaged stretch of Route 35 along the Barnegat Peninsula in Ocean County. The highway, which serves as the primary north-south route along the Jersey Shore peninsula from Point Pleasant Beach to the entrance of Island Beach State Park, sustained severe damage during Superstorm Sandy and requires immediate attention so that residents and visitors can resume normal travel in Ocean County. The reconstruction project will rebuild this span of Route 35 in a stronger, more resilient manner, while also providing better drainage, a smoother driving surface, improved accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, and more economical repair and upkeep costs.

“The destruction wrought by Sandy is evident almost everywhere you look up and down Route 35, from Point Pleasant Beach to the entrance of Island Beach State Park. In the days after the storm, our transportation professionals did truly remarkable work along the entire highway, removing thousands of truckloads of debris and sand to make way for emergency responders, contractors and homeowners. As we have marked the rebuilding of our homes and businesses throughout the state, we now look forward to rebuilding Route 35 stronger and better,” said Governor Christie. “Today, we’re announcing an investment of more than $200 million in federal highway funds to rebuild this stretch of Route 35. This commitment demonstrates the determination we have to rebuild after epic devastation and heartbreaking losses as residents, businesses and this Administration work together to restore the Shore in ways that will help us all stand stronger.”

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) expects to seek bids on the first of three highway construction contracts next month, with shovels in the ground this summer. The project has been divided into three geographic sections, with contracts for the other two sections advertised for bids by July, 2013.

The project will completely rebuild the roadway from Point Pleasant Beach to Berkeley, install a new and improved drainage system with pump stations and includes construction of Complete Streets features on state-owned land to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists in a safe manner. Utility companies will be installing new underground water, sewer, natural gas and communication lines as well.

Construction costs are expected to exceed $200 million, with project completion by the summer of 2015.

“Superstorm Sandy tossed around the roadway’s massive concrete slabs like dominos and destroyed the roadway’s underground drainage system,” said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson. “We are accelerating this federally funded project to help restore a sense of normalcy as residents and businesses rebuild along what has been and what again will be a spectacular stretch of Jersey Shore.”

The new highway will be 24 inches thick, including asphalt pavement and the stabilizing sub-base materials. Damage to this type of roadway is repaired more efficiently than repairs to the existing concrete-slab roadway, which is only 8 inches thick.

Under normal circumstances, NJDOT limits summer construction activity along highways that provide access to shore and other vacation destinations. However, work to rebuild the highway will continue through the summer of 2013. Efforts will be made to limit motorist inconvenience during this period and again during the summer of 2014.

Pump stations will be built at various locations to improve storm water management. The current drainage system fails on a routine basis during heavy downpours. The new system will be built to handle 25-year storms, which is the maximum attainable given the peninsula’s geology.

Complete Streets features, such as sidewalks, roadway shoulders and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps, will be built during roadway construction activities where there is sufficient NJDOT right-of-way. While NJDOT has acquired some land in recent years in anticipation of this project, no additional land will be purchased for this project.

The first construction contract to be awarded will be for the northernmost 3.5 miles of the road, from the border between Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head to the border between Mantoloking and Brick. This stretch of Route 35 consists of a single road offering one travel lane in each direction. Reconstruction work will be performed in relatively small sections, with alternating traffic patterns within the work zones.

Route 35 consists of a divided highway that generally offers two travel lanes in each direction over the remaining 9 miles of the project area. This configuration allows the Department to accommodate at least one lane of traffic in each direction at all times.

The Department will work with local officials to minimize inconvenience for motorists, residents and businesses, especially during summer seasons, while at the same time scheduling the work in a manner that creates opportunity to complete the project prior to the summer of 2015.