"Phase three, the FINAL STAGE for all home owners to spend ample time." (Ample time is 5/6 hours) Final stage until when? Does it mean 1 or 2 months, the winter? When can we get access to OUR HOMES with a port a potty on our property if we choose, and a generator to start cleaning this mess up more than 5/6 hrs every 10 days? "Reminder that there are no facilities or utilities there. Translation- no bathroom, and you will not be able to flush your toilets." Did the town supply (1) port a potty on every other corner for the convenience of its residents?

You said it all. Toms River government needs to address our problems IMMEDIATELY! Phase III is totally unrealistic. Our houses are being overrun with mold; flood insurance covers water damage, not mold. We are slowly but surely losing any chance to save what we have left. Let us take care of what needs to be done!

Contractors have a heavy schedule. My winterization is on the list but it is a long list and we called two days after the storm. Will they be allowed on without the homeowner? There is so much work to be done there has to be a solution to accommodate everyone. We, the homeowner, can do some of the work ourselves but we need time.

ortley beach will soon be turned into a park. bathing beaches on one side a marina on the other. the federal goverment hired the same company who redeveloped new orleans to do the same for all of the barrier island. however only ortley on the bay side and ocean side will be redeveloped. toms river already said it lost 20% of its tax base. this is honestly 100% the truth and the contract has been awarded.

Toms River elected officials just don't care or at best are extremely incompetent!They have had to be pushed and threatened to do the bare minimum!
All barrier island residents should attend the next Township Council meeting scheduled for 6PM on Tuesday November 27 at Town Hall, 33 Washington St., Toms River.

The questions everyone should be asking our elected officials include:

1) When did the Township start to reenforce the dunes prior to the storm? How much did they complete prior to the storm. Are there official records & pictures?

2) Where has Ward 1 Councilwoman Marruca been the last 3 weeks?

3) Why has the councilman that was making jokes during a tour of Ortley Beach not yet resigned.

4) Why are people with the right connections been allowed to visit their homes before anyone else? Why is the Police Chief giving certain people access?

5) Why has the council not held any meetings to specifically address the devastation on the barrier island?

6) Will property taxes be refunded for the period of time that the Township denied property owners access to their homes?

FC, Can you let us know where the info you've posted has come from?

It would be nice to have a timeline; for sure its not easy to get there and coordianting contractors/adjusters on such short notice is not realistic. Whats to winterize; no water,no heat,etc....

Bring a copy of the US Constitution to the council meeting!!!. Be cafeful, if they use safety as an excuse they can ignore that document.

WAKE UP EVERYONE...... Toms River has its own agenda. Toms River said, "FINAL PHASE." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN????? When I get to visit my home for a few hour on Sunday, that'll be the 2nd time in almost a month. When will we be able to have daily access to work on OUR HOMES. I have NO PROBLEM showing my ID to get over the bridge. But I want to start getting over the bridge everyday. To go to my neighborhood to work on my home, and to lend a helping hand to other neighbors that I've known for years. PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE. Everyone needs to start asking questions!!!!

Unfortunately only a hand full of Ortley residents were at the last council meeting. They are not taking us seriously at all.....we need to organize and stand strong.

fc...I'd like to know where this info came from as well? we were just there sunday and spoke to many different officials on the island and were told starting friday we'd be allowed back and whatnot...but why would they redevelop the ocean side and bayside but not the center where there was mostly the least losses...doesnt seem to be anything more than yet another rumor

Township Officials claim that the State is dictating access to the barrier island. Does anyone know the state office and or the state official that is responsible for making that decision?

Interesting link about the dunes at Ortley Beach:

http://www.examiner.com/article/ortley-beach-s-minimal-dunes-directly-linked-to-ground-zero-status-damage

We must demand access to our properties more than just once or twice a month. I was given access to my condo on Wed. Nov. 14th. for a total of 4.5 hrs. The mold after 2 and 1/2 weeks was already out of control. After phase 3 there is no timeline for our next visit. This must be addressed. LET US INTO OUR OWN HOMES.

When wil re-entry be allowed for Chadwick, Normanday, and Silver Beaches? Do you have an estimated or approximate date? Thank you.

We need to treat Ortley Beach like a new construction site and get this project up and running , this one day a week is to fustration with families and their other lives. Nothing is happening this way its like watchiing paint dry. Lets get started.

I was told they are working on the A&P everyday how come they have no restrictions, maybe this is one of many rumors but if it is true how is that fair to all other owners in all towns

Israel bombed dozens more targets in the Gaza Strip today. But Ortley is "Ground Zero," correct. But yet everyone over there is out right after the bombing helping dig out. GET THE POLOTICIANS OUT and LET PEOPLE START HELPING PEOPLE and NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS. I've been call paranoid, anti government and a whole lot worse on here. THIS IS LONG ENOUGH. LET US SHOW OUR IDs TO DRIVE OVER THE BRIDGE AND LET US BACK TO OUR HOMES.

can FEMA inspectors come on their own or have to drive in with resident? unclear. not ortley, ss height, bayside terrace, close to ortley ugh, no answers.

What a bunch of loosers they are in local government

I have had a lot of patience with the local government, but now I ave lost it.
They can't even figure out how to issue a clear and understandable statement on their website. So, they get the same questions asked by hundreds of people. Why can't they have a literate person write the darn statements?
Why can't they include a FAQ section, a blog, or something, anything already.
This is like first grade.

If they had a $500,000 investment over there, I bet they'd deal with it differently.
Don't give me that 2nd home crap either. I busted my ass to buy my place. Probably took 5 years off my life. Enough of that crap.
Enough of that, "we're doing our best" crap too!

Why don't they look at how Lavallette's website/officials are handling it? That should teach them a good lesson. And don't give that "ortley got hit worse" crap any more. This is week 3 already.
And why is this week a hiatus to the island? They can take PTO in January like the rest of us. Enough already toms River. Get with the program!

Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore finally got what he has always wanted, a borough hall right in his own office building. Do you really think they care about Ortley Beach?
http://www.seasideparknj.org/

no wonder an entire block removed themselves from toms river and became part of lavallette

I would love to know where the ORTLEY BEACH ASSOCIATION is right now!!!! Why haven't they spoken up for us and used some of that money we have in escrow for an attorney?

off subject a bit. i am in ortley also. i cancelled cable, do we need to cancel electric and water?

Thanks for the info. I just got 2 bills from water co and have to call to cancel. Keep the info coming. I get more info here than when I call the companies.

Not rebuilding Ortley Beach. The represenatives on the bus tour can be heard talking at the end of the video when they are going over the bridge you can hear a lady saying to another lady. (so we are not rebuilding we will summit ------ to you and have FUN) the other lady says (it is time for a colorful change) Also they say earlier in the video that it looks like the most damage on the bay side was caused by the storm drains. If you copy the audio to sound clound.com you can get rid of the back round noise and hear it more clearly. They jokes about half price houses, no more take out from Mia's and 8th ave now being 4 and half left alot to be desired.

I would love to know who was on that bus. There is one man who was trying to do the right thing and the others on the bus told him he had to much of a heart. I have a copy of the audio without the back round noise you can hear almost all of the conversations.I was stunned that this was on tape. Everyone in Ortley needs to have at least one person in every house register to vote in Toms River so we have a say.

Why can't Toms River Township provide port-a-potties in all 3 re-entry zones. Seems like having taxpayers go over the bridge to use restrooms is a waste of time and needlessly contributes to the traffic!

They should also be providing a mobile water truck or trucks!

Why do I have to suggest these obvious things to our elected officials?

Everyone should take a look at how the borough of Mantoloking is handling things.

Take a look at November 20,2012 update.......click the bottom of that section labeled:
"Click here to view the slides from last night’s presentation" it will take you to a power point presentation.

http://www.mantoloking.org/

If you go to any place that serves food and has a sit down table they have to supply a restroom by code. Toms River is letting 100s of people over the bridge for 7/8 hours a day. They even make a point of it on its website saying that there is "NO RUNNING WATER or FLUSHING OF WATER!!!!!! HEY GENIUSES.......... HELLO....... Port a Potties. If there are any politicians in Toms River with a half of brain, you should resign. Because with your 1/2 of brain you should have been able to figure that one out. The other 1/2 are TOTALLY INCOMPETENT. And the water trucks sounded like a good idea too. Thank you. And by the way, where are all those workers going to the bathroom?????

My suggestion about going to the bathroom is wear depends or simply just go, with all of the other pollution, I don't think a little pee is going to make any difference.

According to the Governors Office the barrier island is still classified as a mandatory evacuation. In addition temporary access is determined by local officials! Toms River elected officials and the Police Chief are being less than truthful in blaming limited access on the State.

The Governors Office will consider sending a representative to Tuesday's Township Council meeting to be held at 6PM on 11/27/12 at 33 Washington St. Please spread the word......Every barrier island homeowner should attend this critical meeting and voice our concerns!

Hurting, I agree. We should flood his office with phone calls ((609) 292-6000. In addition everyone should spread the word about Tuesday night's meeting.

I have a few questions for Toms River Town Officials. 1. Beyond the dates posted on your site for Phase III will I be allowed to re-enter after the December 6th date, or is the Island being "closed down." Residents do not have ample time to either address the devestation of our homes or make some type of intelligent decision on how to handle the damage if the island will be shut for resident access after the 6th. 2. On the issue of property taxes: has legislation been enacted to allow the Tax Assessor to re-assess resident properties, as the assessed value is no longer there. Will there be a moratorium placed on property taxes? On another note, it is has been brought to my attention be a recent newspaper article that the barrier island has been paying 33% of the total taxes for the Township. How is this fair? Most of the homes on the barrier island are inhabited only 10 weeks/year.with no services from Sept-May. I have read numerous blogs about disgruntled mainland residents. Tthey are up in arms that their taxes will most likely increase. The last reassessment increased the property taxes of barrier island residents in excess of 100%, while REDUCING property taxes for is those living on the mainland. The mainland residents should realize that if the barrier island is nothing but a "barrier island", or a "sand dune" as it has been referenced, those mainland folks will be fronting 100% of the Township budget. They should be careful what they wish for.

Marsha, Don't expect too many answers from our elected officials in Toms River Township. They and the political hacks that were appointed as Dept heads are in crises control and hide mode. Notice that all the other barrier island communities have had meetings to specifically address the storm issues our have not! That's why we all must go to the next scheduled township meeting at 6 PM on Tuesday 11/27/12 at Town Hall 33 Washington St.

Marsha, as Mark posted earlier, we have to call gov. Christie and let him know he has to lift the mandatory evacuation. If not Toms River will continue to make whatever rules they believe are best. (Not in our best interest). We must also make call to the tax accessor and maybe when they have do do thousands of reaccessments and see their tax base eroding then maybe something will get done. As for the Dec. 6th access date, that seems to be the last visit to the barrier islands for now. :-(