Lavallette New Jersey

Minutes of the Lavallette Voters and Taxpayers Meeting of March 19, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. by President Joe Marcianti. Officers and Directors also present were Lach Cameron, Alice Bass, Ann Gorga, Joe Ardito and Sara Ardito. Absent was Secretary Celeste Brockwell

The minutes were not available due to the absence of the Secretary.

The Treasurer's report was accepted as read.

Membership: 441 paid members; 136 new families and 12 families from soon-to-be annexed Bay Beach Way.
70 members are interested in LVT having a member's dinner.

Correspondence: A member e-mailed LVT with his concerns about the sale of Lavallette Ave. LVT informed all property owners in Lavallette of this issue in our winter Newsletter and noted the opposition from some residents. Our representative attends council meetings and updates the membership on the status of this issue. The member was invited to attend our next meeting to discuss this issue of concern.

Municipal:

• Sewer infiltration charges to increase $50 per year resulting in infiltration charges of $300 annually. In addition, sewer bills will increase about $76 annually for an average usage of 15,000 gallons of water per quarter.
• Water rates will also increase an average of $76 per year for an average usage of 15,000 gallons of water per quarter.
• Electric rates have decreased. Residents using an average of 1,800 kilowatts per month will have an annual savings of about $216.
• Bond ordinances for improvements to New Brunswick Ave. and sewer rehabilitation passed on second reading
• Discussion of sale and reconfiguration of Lavallette Ave. Questions were raised about planning board input, is a public referendum required, what happens to underground utilities? An appraisal of the property would be required. There is a printout of the past history of the property which is in question. Use of lot 2 is slated for a swimming pool.
  
  
Lavallette Business Association (LBA):

• Improvements to be made in a two block area of the business district
  
  
School: School taxes to increase about $108 for the average property assessment of $687,000

Member's comments:

Mr. Joe Popper, an LVT member in opposition to the sale of Lavallette Ave., brought various builders' drawings of the proposed changes to Lavallette Ave. if the Council allows the builder to buy a portion of the street.
The issue will be up for discussion at Monday's council meeting.

LVT President Joe Marcianti explained that there was a lot of misinformation going around about this issue and LVT needs to have all information supported by facts.

Member concerned about contractual issues of Borough employees and lack of action by Council to curb costs, salaries and benefits of Borough employees.

Member concerned with water and sewer rate increase. The decrease in the electric rate does not compensate for the increases in water and sewer.

Director's comments:

Two members of LVT's Executive Board attended the county budget hearing. County Freeholders did not take any recommendations to reduce budget from members of the public, many of those who spoke were very well informed. The Freeholders just complimented themselves and closed the public comment and would not allow any comments after their comments. They voted unanimously to accept the county budget as presented.

For the amount of county taxes Lavallette pays, we feel we don't receive comparable services.

The meeting was adjourned.