Storm Debris Pick-Up Will End On January 16

Township officials have extended the final Superstorm Sandy debris pick-up date until Jan. 16 throughout Berkeley, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

They had originally planned to cut off pick-up on Dec. 31 to all sections but South Seaside Park and Pelican Island, but two more Nor'easters hit the Jersey Shore.

"In light of the recent storms, I'm open to suggestions," Township Council President James J. Brynes said at a recent council meeting. "We really need to have a stop date so we can get reimbursement from FEMA."

"I'd personally go along with another two weeks," Township Councilman Thomas Grosse said.

There will be no set schedule for Christmas tree pick-up, but the public works department will be picking them up, according to the township's website.

Residents who want to dispose of their trees now can either bring them to the township recycling center off Pinewald-Keswick Road or drop them off at Cattus Island County Park in off Fischer Boulevard in Toms River. The discarded trees will be used to replenish storm-battered dunes at Island Beach State Park.

The public can follow the signs at Cattus Island to the drop-off location near the maintenance road. Cattus Island can be reached at 732-270-2703 for any questions. They will be accepting the trees until January 13.

Both Brynes and Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. also cautioned residents to make sure they have the proper permits from the township before proceeding with home improvements.

"If you are closing up a wall with sheetrock and you don't have a permit, you have a problem," Byrnes said.