Thursday, January 10, 2013
Additional rocks were added to the beach until the township decides on a more effective solution
The township is restoring the Forked River Beach back to its original state before Hurricane Sandy struck the shoreline with additional riprap. “We’re appreciative they’re responding,” said Pat Doyle, who continues to advocate for a more effective solution. In December, Doyle made a presentation regarding the erosion of the beach. The Forked River Beach has lost 58 feet of sand in 15 years. After the most recent storm, some homes already inundated by Hurricane Sandy were overcome by storm surge again. After the water receded, the shoreline remained at residents’ fences. “We need the buffer desperately,” Doyle said. “It’s important to push on for an effective fix.” And the township will, Mayor David Most said. The rock replacement was …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, concerns of erosion have accelerated as the bay closes in on Forked River homes
During Hurricane Sandy, homes along the Forked River Beach were inundated with an ocean that had become one with the Barnegat Bay. Stones designed to prevent beach erosion were lifted and thrown. Concerns that residents had regarding the ever-changing shoreline had become a reality. “Of course in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, these concerns have been accelerated. But we emphasize to the community that even before Sandy, there was a need to better understand and address this issue,” Pat Doyle said during a presentation to the township Committee with Lacey resident Barry Bendar. More than 58 feet of beach have been lost in the last 15 years, said Doyle, who has watched the shoreline erode for years. Nearly 50 percent of the beach has …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Residents who must restore or rebuild their homes after Sandy can do so within the same footprint without going before the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along Lacey’s waterfront areas, many homes may have to be rebuilt and to accelerate the process the Committee approved a Super Storm Sandy Reconstruction Policy for residential structures. “We’re trying to quicken up the pace of these approvals so that there’s not such a delay of two to three months and of course the costs associated with that,” Township Administrator and Municipal Clerk Veronica Laureigh said. The policy states that damaged homes situated below the base flood elevation and located on a nonconforming lot can be restored, rebuilt or raised or demolished and rebuilt with a new proposed structure as long as they are replaced in a conforming location. Proof of damage is required. …
Monday, December 17, 2012
To cover costs expended by the superstorm, the township must borrow funds until it begins to receive money from FEMA
The Committee approved an emergency appropriation of $1 million for Hurricane Sandy related expenses at the Committee meeting on Thursday. “Based on some of the expenses we have incurred and some of the future expenses we may incur, that we need to go out and borrow $1 million to carry us through until we start seeing some reimbursement from FEMA,” Township Administrator and Municipal Clerk Veronica Laureigh said. The emergency appropriation was approved unanimously. “These are extraordinary circumstances,” Committeeman Sean Sharkey said. The township will be borrowing $1 million with the interest rate at less than one percent, she said. The township will have to pay back a fifth of the money in each year’s budget for the next five years. …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Last chance to have household debris and brush picked up will be last weekend in December
The township has added an additional and final debris collection effort the weekend of Dec. 29. Dec. 1 was originally the last day for bulk clean up services but after Public Works assessed lingering damage and debris, there were yet another 150 homes with belongings hauled to the curb, Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh said. “I understand the town gave adequate notice of trash pickup because of the debris that has accumulated because of the storm,” said Greg Edgecomb of Lanoka Harbor. “The inaction of some of the homeowners is sad but many people traumatized by the storm did not take action in the time that would be needed in order to have their trash picked up while we were still having the normal debris pickups.” Edgecomb has …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
There are 64 properties listed throughout Ocean County
Locals displaced by Hurricane Sandy and seeking shelter could utilize the state’s New Jersey Housing Resource Center to find housing. The New Jersey Housing Resource Center’s online tools provides a centralized place for those who are displaced to find housing and those with property available to list housing. For Lacey, there are only two properties listed at Heritage Village at Seabreeze Apartments on Newark Avenue in Forked River. But searches can be expanded to neighboring municipalities or across the state. As of Thursday, there were 64 housing listings in Ocean County ranging from $0 to $1,400 a month. Housing is broken down into four categories: rentals, for sale, with accessibility features or temporary housing due to Hurricane …
Friday, December 7, 2012
Stop by the Forked River Presbyterian Church on Monday, Dec. 17, Wednesday, Dec. 19, and Friday, Dec. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. for more information
Lacey Residents can now “adopt a family” that was affected by Hurricane Sandy for the holiday season. A Christmas tree stands inside the Forked River Presbyterian Church with paper bells hanging on the limbs as ornaments. The bells read “Family #7,” “Family #12,” and “Family #14”—all of which have been displaced by the superstorm. Katie Spera of Lacey Township is overseeing the project and developed the idea after volunteering on one of the Lacey United Methodist Church’s clean-up teams. “It’s more of a community effort,” she said. Churches throughout town have banned together, assisting displaced families, and referring them to Spera, she said. Each family is then contacted and asked what their needs are. The families receive a number, …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
A Material Damage Statement, which is attached to this story, must be submitted by Thursday, Jan. 10
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Dear Property Owner, If Hurricane Sandy has destroyed or altered your commercial or residential building or structure so as to materially depreciate its value, real estate tax relief may be available to you. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:4-35.1, you can request, in writing, that the Township Tax Assessor perform a reassessment of your property for damage suffered. Your written request must be submitted by Thursday, Jan. 10. A reassessment of your property (again, only your structure or building) will be performed thereafter by the Assessor, who will assess the damage to your property on the date of inspection. In the event the Assessor finds your property's value has materially depreciated, your assessment will be adjusted. Please note that any …
The Lacey United Methodist Church continues to house nine people
When Tom and Lisa Pollaro returned to their Sunrise Beach home days after Hurricane Sandy struck, it was uninhabitable. The Barnegat Bay had surged into their home leaving little to recover. “We went to the police station and said we’re homeless,” Lisa Pollaro, 49, said. The couple was directed to the Lacey United Methodist Church, a place that had become a safe haven for locals offering showers, laundry machines, food, supplies and a place to sleep. One month later, the shelter has become a home for some, including the Pollaros. Over a penne pasta and chicken nugget dinner, the new dwellers of the church joked and exchanged stories. Nine people are still staying at the church as their homes sustained severe flood damage. More than 30 were…
The last day of school will be Friday, June 21
Lacey schools will be ending the school year later than usual as the district has decided to add the five days missed due to Hurricane Sandy to the end of the year, Superintendent Dr. Sandra Brower said. “That’s the direction right now that we’re going,” she said, adding that the Board of Education approved the modified calendar. “If we have any additional closings, we’ll look at the other days,” she said, such as already scheduled days off. Prior to Hurricane Sandy, the school year would be concluding on Friday, June 14. But since the superstorm forced schools to close for five days, the district is now looking at Friday, June 21. Currently, the last three days of school are listed on the calendar as half days. But Brower will be …
proud
10:28 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Hopefully, Ms. Doyle will be successful. more ›