Lavallette New Jersey

Minutes of the LVT meeting of May 21, 2010

The meeting was called to order by President Joe Marcianti. All other Officers and Directors were present.

The minutes and Treasurer's Report were accepted as read.

Membership: 722 paid memberships of which 162 are new members and 15 Bay Beach Way families.

Dinner: 117 families are interested in LVT having a dinner

Correspondence:

• LVT sent another letter to M/C about reducing parking distances from stop signs to create more parking spaces. The Mayor responded that each site is being visited and considered, the Borough Attorney will draw up an ordinance to legalize the proposed changes and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the changes should take place by the summer.
• An e-mail was received from a resident on Philadelphia Ave. about removing sand from her property next to the lifeguard station. The Borough could not do anything about it and recommended that she seek a private contractor. LVT referred her to look to "The Little Paper" for possible contractors who work locally. She thanked LVT saying, "I am so appreciative of you having the newsletter and keeping us informed."
• An e-mail was received from a resident as a follow-up on parking distances from stop signs which presently adversely affects his property because he cannot park in front of his house. He called the Borough Administrator and the Chief of Police; the changes would not be made in time for Memorial Day, but should be made by the summer.

Municipal:

Our representative asked these questions at a council meeting and got the following answers:

• Will there be a program to prevent bicycles and automobiles from the driving the wrong way on Route 35 by Memorial Day? Answer: No
• Is it true there have been over 40 house break-ins in Lavallette in the past year? Answer: 40
• Considering the amount of speeders on State Hwy. Route 35, should we seek help from the State Police to patrol this Hwy? Answer: No
• A new State law requires vehicles to stop at crosswalks. Failure to stop will result in a ticket of $44 and two points against your driver's license.
• The Council passed an ordinance to allow them to exceed the cap on the Municipal Budget.
• An ordinance entitled "Officers Employees" was introduced to create an incentive program for waiver of health benefits for those with duplicate health coverage to drop Lavallette coverage.

The Municipal Budget:

Municipal Budget 2010:		$7,384,249
Municipal Budget 2009:		$6,969,423
	Increase	$414,826

Surplus used for 2010 Budget: Surplus left in account: 2010 tax levy increase: 2010 State aid: Decrease of State aid from 2009:

$668,000 $301,985 $197,760 $168,609 $15,901

An average home assessed at $650,000 will pay $1,709.50 per year in municipal taxes. This does not include county, school, library, health and open space tax.

Scholarship committee: Twelve scholarship applications were received. Three $500 awards will be given at our June meeting.

Annual LVT President's Report was presented and will be sent to The Ocean Star and posted on our website.

Nominating Committee presented nominees: President Joe Marcianti-2010-2011; Directors: Sara Ardito, Lach Cameron, Ann Gorga and Emil Naurez-2010-2012. The nominees were elected.

Approval for $125 for wreath presented by LVT at Lavallette Memorial Day Services.

Discussion:

Sewer rates continue to rise-illegal dumping of sump pump water into sewer lines: LVT will send a letter to Mayor and Council urging them to expedite the identification of residents illegally dumping sump pump water into sewer lines and amending an ordinance to impose stiffer fines ( in the thousands) to discourage dumping whose costs are passed along to ratepayers.

Ownership of road of newly acquired properties on Bay Beach Way: A member complained about Bay Beach Way being privately owned not allowing anyone to park on that road. The member explained that people from Ocean Beach park on Sterling Ave. interfering with owners and their guests to have access to park on their own street.

As far as our understanding at this time, when Bay Beach Way was annexed to Lavallette, the governing body did not acquire their beach or their road. LVT will verify this information.

Other discussion:
• Complaints continue about dogs on the beach and boardwalk in violation of Borough ordinance that is not being enforced.
• Ann Gorga and Celeste Brockwell will co-chair proposed preparations for LVT member dinner.
• Applications for residents qualifying for a property tax freeze will be discontinued. If you are part of it now, it will continue, if not, it is no longer available.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.