By Allison Perrine
SEA BRIGHT – The borough council is considering removing some parking along Ocean Avenue and renting barricades to help restaurants expand their outdoor dining capabilities into the roadway.
During a July 30 special meeting, Mayor Brian Kelly said most of the parking on the west side of Ocean Avenue in the downtown area would be shut down as a result. The borough is looking to lease 46 barricades to start, each 6 feet long, which would potentially be stored on River Street or elsewhere if the borough decides to purchase them later for future use. To avoid losing all of the parking, however, the council will try to find a compromise for those looking to visit the borough.
“It’s going to make it so that we’ll have our sidewalks clear for people to walk through and it will also add some tables and chairs for our businesses that will be needed to help them get through this period of time,” said council president Charles H. Rooney III, who spearheaded the effort.
According to Rooney, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) has given Sea Bright jurisdiction to barricade from Surf Street to Peninsula Avenue. All of the businesses are on board with the idea, he said, though certain areas which don’t benefit the business will not be barricaded. That includes blocks in front of Bain’s Hardware and Sea Bright United Methodist Church, for example.
The idea was accepted by officials, but the proposed payment plans became contentious.
Borough administrator Joseph Verruni said the plan is eligible for CARES Act funding if the borough chooses to proceed that way. Businesses are also eligible to apply for the funding to reimburse the borough for the expenses, he said. Either way, Verruni said it will likely be covered by grant funding.
Councilman Jon Schwartz suggested that the borough split the costs with the businesses and let them apply for their half of the funding. “I don’t think we’re running a charity,” he said. “We’re making Woody’s pay for our lot. Why would we not make the other people pay?”
Rooney said he spoke with all of the impacted businesses and they are OK with paying for the barricades if they have to. But the businesses are struggling during this pandemic, he said. “The business owners are a big part of who this town is. I mean, we’ve gone out of our way a little bit here to help them, but I think it’s a good thing to do that,” said Rooney. “These restaurants are going to have a very difficult time getting through this winter.”
Councilman Marc Leckstein said he agreed with both Rooney and Schwartz. He acknowledged that the borough has obligations to the town in general and that it must support its businesses and residents at the same time. However, he feels the costs should be split 50-50 and should be presented as such from the start.
“I think the residents…would have our heads if they found out that taxpayer’s money is going to increased seating just for restaurants because I don’t know what they’re getting out of it other than sustaining of a business that a lot of them can’t get reservations to in the first place,” said Leckstein.
Ultimately, the council unanimously decided to apply for 100 percent of the funding. If it is completely approved, the businesses will not pay. If the funding is not approved, the businesses will pay 50 percent of the costs.
Additionally, the council unanimously introduced Bond Ordinance No. 06-2020 which would provide a $600,000 appropriation for various road improvements throughout the borough. It would issue $330,000 in bonds or notes to finance part of the appropriation. The borough has nearly $270,000 in grant money from the DOT to apply for these projects; the rest will be bonded over a 20-year period.
The project proposes the reconstruction of Riverview Place, Shrewsbury Way, Henry Lane and River Way. It includes roadway reconstruction, curbing, drainage and more, according to the resolution. It will be up for a public hearing and potential adoption at the Aug. 13 borough council meeting, which will be held virtually.
The article originally appeared in the August 6 – 12, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
