Thursday, May 16, 2013
County will apply for loan through CDBG to boost ratable base
Adoption of the county budget was once again postponed, as the county recently became aware of possible funding that could boost its ratable base, which was drastically cut due to Superstorm Sandy. The Ocean County Freeholders approved a resolution at its regular meeting Wednesday allowing the county to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Actually, it’s good news,” Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. The funding would come from CDBG, separate from the grants the county receives annually through the program. The money is for communities whose ratable base diminished by more than 5 percent because of the superstorm, county Business Administrator Carl Block said. “We may be able to incorporate…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Senate bill 2601 would also allow the county to exercise the power of eminent domain in order to erect dunes to protect lands, property and facilities near the beaches
The Ocean County Freeholders oppose a Senate bill that, if approved, would permit counties to take over the operation of beaches within its jurisdiction. A resolution stating that Ocean County would be “actively impacted” by this legislation was unanimously passed at a Freeholders meeting May 1. “If Ocean County were to take over and maintain the 44 miles of just oceanfront beaches in Ocean County, it would not only be cost prohibitive but would also require taxpayers who don’t use the beaches to pay for them,” Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari said. The bill (S2601, A3891), sponsored by Sen. Bob Smith and Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer, would authorize any county of the fifth or six class — Atlantic, Monmouth, Ocean and Cape May — to assume …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
"Discrepancies" were found in some of the charges submitted by AshBritt, the debris removal firm contracted by the state after Superstorm Sandy
AshBritt, Inc., the firm hired by the state to haul debris after Superstorm Sandy, benefited from an “ambiguous” contract that resulted in at least tens of thousands in extra charges, according to a report released on Wednesday. Ocean County Administrator Carl Block handed the Freeholders a thick report at Wednesday’s pre-board meeting. The report, done by state-hired monitor The Louis Berger Group, Inc., reviews the mileage billed to Ocean County by AshBritt. “The director contacted me after some articles had been written about the clean up efforts,” Block said. Freeholder Director John P. Kelly had asked for a report to be done breaking down the process of debris hauling as well as the charges in relation to distance. “Discrepancies” had…
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
More than 13 miles of roadway will be repaired
The county will be embarking on improvement projects for 11 county roads in the upcoming weeks. “As part of our annual overlay program, we will be starting work shortly on safety improvements including stormwater drainage work, new paving and reconstruction on several roads throughout Ocean County,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. More than 13 miles of roadway will be repaired when complete, he said. The Board of Freeholders will be awards a contract to Earle Asphalt Company, which is based out of Farmingdale, in the amount of $2 million to reconstruct portions of seven roadways. “This work will get under way in the next few weeks and while there may be some inconvenience to motorists…
Friday, May 3, 2013
It is estimated that $940,000 in federal funds from CDBG and HOME programs will be dispersed to Ocean County municipalities and public agencies in 2013
Ocean County expects to distribute approximately $200,000 for Superstorm Sandy relief and recovery. The freeholders authorized the submission and execution of the county's Fiscal Year 2013 Action Plan Wednesday. The plan outlines recommended municipal projects and how funding will be allocated through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and how HOME programs will be distributed. It is estimated that $940,000 in federal funds will be dispersed to the county's municipalities and public agencies for housing rehabilitation and municipal and public service projects, a news release from the county said. “Many great projects have resulted from the distribution of these funds,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Adoption of the 2013-14 county budget, which does not raise taxation, postponed
Although Freeholder John C. Bartlett could not say what impact the 2013-14 county budget would have on the average homeowner, he announced that there is no increase in the amount to be raised by taxation from 2012. “The 2013 budget cannot be compared in any way shape or form with last year’s budget,” Bartlett said Wednesday when a public hearing on the budget was held. There is no average this year. The whole tax base has changed.” The budget was not yet adopted as the Freeholders await approval from the State. Since Hurricane Sandy, the county’s tax base has been slashed by an estimated $9 to $10 billion — $3.6 billion due to the storm and $5.4 billion due to a loss of market value. The numbers continue to change and will be certified by …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Barnegat Bay will be open by Memorial Day Weekend
Ocean County expects to receive approximately $40 million in reimbursements for some services performed following Superstorm Sandy within a couple weeks. The project worksheets for just debris removal are in their final stages of approval and the county will be receiving a check soon, Administrator Carl Block said at the Board of Chosen Freeholders’ pre-board meeting. “There is movement,” Block said. The $40 million is just a fraction of the $60 million the county has put out for debris removal. The county paid for the services of AshBritt and Louis Berger Group Inc. upfront, for some municipalities. Once the county is reimbursed, municipalities will pay their share, Block said. Freeholder John C. Bartlett said fronting the money, without …
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Countdown pedestrian signals and more will be added to three Seaside Heights' intersections
Safety upgrades to three Seaside Heights’ intersections will make crossing the busy streets easier for pedestrians this summer. The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved upgrades including countdown pedestrian signals. “Many families walk throughout the borough to reach the beaches, boardwalk and local businesses from parking lots and their homes or rentals,” Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. “These improvements will help ensure their safety while crossing at three of the town’s intersections.” Countdown pedestrian signal heads will be added to the intersections of The Boulevard and Hamilton Avenue, The Boulevard and Grant Avenue and The Boulevard and Summer Avenue, said Kelly, who is also the Director of Law and Public …
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Hurricane Sandy's impact has created a need for more dates, freeholder says
Ocean County residents who have paint cans, cleaners or other products that need careful disposal will have the opportunity to dispose of those products in the coming days. "In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and with so many homes having suffered water damage resulting in houses being emptied out in order to begin repairs, there is a need for these additional collection days," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the county Department of Solid Waste management. Registration and proof of residency are required to drop off items. Register by calling the following numbers for the dropoff sites: The dates and sites: Materials accepted at the sites include paints/thinners; solvents; pool chemicals; pesticides and herbicides; aerosol …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Scammer claims computers were damaged in the storm and requests personal information
Seniors should be aware of scammers using Hurricane Sandy as a means to solicit Social Security and other personal information, Ocean County officials warned Friday. A county woman recently reported that she received a call from an individual claiming to be from the Social Security administration. If she did not give up her husband's Social Security number, the caller claimed his benefits would stop, said Freeholder Joseph Vicari, who serves as chairman of Senior Services. "The ploy used was that Social Security administration computers were damaged in the hurricane," Vicari said. "This is not true." Social Security and Medicare will not call beneficiaries at home to ask for personal information or try to sell any products, Vicari said. "…
Martin
7:12 am on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Everyone near water, including lakes and rivers coast-to-coast, will be socked by FEMA's bail-out expenses! Staying in our homes will be unaffordable, except for the rich. There will be tens of thousands of abandonmenbts and foreclosures. ==> StopFemaNow.com more ›