LAKEHURST – Borough officials are looking at methods to combat erosion at one of their greatest natural resources.
Council President Steven Oglesby reported during a recent Council meeting that severe erosion has been observed in areas along Lake Horicon. He noted that the borough has received grants in the past for the initial bulkheading and asked if the borough could apply for another grant before trees are lost and roads are damaged.
Mayor Robbins asked Borough Clerk Maryanne Capasso to research grant possibilities adding he spoke recently with Dave Winton, the head of the Borough’s Public Works Department in regard to the loss of beach sand at the lake.
He said that Winton is receiving estimates for a retaining wall on the border of the beach. Mayor Robbins stated that the retaining wall will not only keep the sand from blowing into the street and parking lot but will also act as a bench.
In other news, Councilman Robert McCarthy reported that a tanker task drill went very well, adding there were no complaints from the residents or business owners and that there were many fire companies that came from a distance to participate.
Resident Bruce Margeson questioned a resolution concerning whether there was an increase in the borough’s municipal service fee for mobile home parks. Capasso answered that she did not have last year’s municipal service fee for mobile home parks with her that night and would reach out to Margeson with those figures.
Permit Increase Questioned
Resident David Burton questioned the borough’s Road Opening permit going from $75 to $350 adding that is an increase of 367%. Burton asked what the justification was for raising the fee to such a large amount in one year.
Mayor Robbins answered that the fee had not been raised for over 20 years. Burton replied that other municipalities that are relative to Lakehurst in size range from $35 to $100.
Councilwoman Patricia Hodges added that when the Ordinance Committee reviewed the ordinances, they looked at fees that have not been raised in quite some time and then looked at neighboring towns and the fees that they are collecting.
Mayor Robbins noted that Manchester Township is collecting $350 for a Road Opening Permit.
Capasso, the clerk, stated that the Borough Ordinance for Road Opening Permit states a fee of $100 is to be paid upon making an application for the permit and a fee of $250 for inspections.
Burton stated that the borough does not conduct an inspection of the gas line being installed nor are they qualified to inspect.
Mayor Robbins responded that the Ordinance Committee would be revisiting the Road Opening Permit Ordinance and the reason why there was an increase.
Green Tips
Councilwoman Hodges reported Amy Lowe, Clean Communities Coordinator, organized a Rain Barrel Workshop and a How to Compost Seminar along with Manchester that took place last month at the borough’s community center. She added that Lowe built a rain barrel with each participant who then got to bring it home.
Borough Master Composter Andrew Hodges gave a composter to each participant and demonstrated how to compost.
