UPDATE: Barrier Island Repopulation Plan Receives Gov. Certification
Toms River's barrier island section scheduled to reopen to residents on Jan. 7
The plan to allow Toms River barrier island residents — except for those in Ortley Beach — repopulate the area on Jan. 7 received approval from Gov. Chris Christie's office on Friday afternoon.
Toms River Office of Emergency Management coordinator Paul Daley confirmed Friday afternoon that the governor's office has given the go ahead for the repopulation plan.
Earlier Friday, Daley and other township officials were confident that the authorization would be given in time for the Jan. 7 repopulation date.
"It's still on track," Daley said Friday morning. "We're just waiting for the governor."
Daley said that the township has met all of the criteria, such as providing utility service, to allow for repopulation.
“We also had a meeting with the four utility companies on the barrier island, and they have assured us that all of the utilities will be ready for use on Monday,” Mayor Thomas Kelaher said in a statement.
Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy said Friday morning that receiving the approval in time for the repopulation should not be an issue.
"We don't anticipate that being a problem," he said. "We think we're prepared and ready. We're ready to get people back to their homes."
A heavy police presence, including security cameras, will remain in the area, according to the township.
Under the plan, residents may return to their homes on a full-time basis. However, a curfew for residents will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., and access to the ocean beach will be restricted to emergency personnel and those employed in recovery efforts only, officials from barrier island communities have said.
Township Business Administrator Paul Shives said that officials are communicating with the state Office of Emergency Management regarding the certification but are unsure when it will be granted Friday. An announcement will be posted on the township website when the process is completed, he said.
The mayors of Brick Township, Toms River and Seaside Heights have announced re-population plans in a joint request to Gov. Chris Christie to allow residents access back into their homes.
The North Beach area of Toms River, all of Brick and single-family homes in Seaside Heights were included in a formal joint request to re-populate their towns on the same day, on Jan. 7.
A meeting of utility company representatives was held Friday morning to track the progress of repairs in Ortley. Shives said that details from the meeting will be released to the township website once some information is confirmed.
Barbara Maltese
6:32 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
does anyone know what happening to taxes due in february for orthly bch. why should we have to pay taxes on homes we are not able to use. i believe toms river should only charge for the land. any thoughts or informations is aprreciated. Barbara
SB Girl
8:57 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
You need to send a letter to the tax assessor requesting a reduction by Jan 10th. Make sure to send it certified/return receipt.
Paul C Vance
8:14 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
One question all us second home owners in Ortely who have been reminded a hundred time we are part time residence should be paying part time real estate tax
Why are we paying in to the school tax just look at your tax bill break down remember you are a seasonal resident
What a bunch of dummies we are
Johnjcpa
10:45 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Paul, if you don't like the deal you made, sell. How did that argument go over with the bank? "I'm only using the house part time so I only want to pay my mortgage when I'm using it." would have been nice if I could go to the town; "I only rent during the summer, so I shouldn't have to pay taxes all year and I pay taxes on my real home anyway."
Hurricane Sandy
8:52 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
(Photo Credit John) Sorry but that photo is of 5th Ave. 4th has the beach access steps to the right. And ramp to the left. :-)
Bailey
10:12 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Barbara, I totally agree that the residents in the Orltey section of Toms River should not have to pay real estate taxes on any home that was lost due to Sandy. At least until final inspection is completed after the reconstruction, which I would think most people consider fair.
However, Paul, your comment is not completely thought through because, although you are a part-time RESIDENT who has a second home in Ortley, you are a full-time home and land OWNER. I'm sure you were completely aware and prepared to pay your town and school taxes before you bought your property.
Hurricane Sandy
7:59 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Toms River officials don't have a clue. I pay $950 a month to Toms River for taxes. The first floor of my home is totaled. We don't have water, sewer, gas or electric and THEY wont let us to our properties on a full time basis. I go to my house to work on it from 8am to 4pm with a generator on the days they allow me. I have not paired my taxes since November 1st. I started depositing them into the bank and sent TR a letter as to my intentions. Is it legal, NO! But, by the time the appeals go thru, and my taxes are lowered, they will not do anything to your property. And the money is still in MY BANK, not theirs!
barbara
9:16 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
why a curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. what about those who work late?
Vinny Varvaro
9:55 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
@ Bailey - that was a very well thought out response, very unusual to see that here.
@ Paul C. Vance - I am pretty sure, as an intelligent resident of North Jersey, you investigated the financial obligations when you chose to move to Ortley.
@ Hurricane Sandy & Barbara Maltese - I do believe, however, that some sort of tax dispensation should be given until re-population is allowed, but what were you told when you contacted the township?
@barbara - Maybe a letter from your employer addressed to the township and the police would suffice. What did those departments tell you when you contacted them?
Walter
11:04 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
So I have a home in Toms River not near the water at all. Was not effected by the storm outside of a few days with no electric. I am hearing that folks like me will have to carry the brunt of the tax increase going forward in a big way and the increase will be monumental.
Johnjcpa
12:37 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Walter,
No doubt about it, hopefully the town will be able to qualify for a grant or will bond to spread out the costs for the next few years while many of the destroyed homes are rebuilt. It will take years for the real estate market gets back to a normal level.
Michael Capo
8:51 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
If Toms River would have allowed Ortley Beach to seceded like we wanted to years ago, you would not have this problem today. Toms River wanted the Ortley Beach cash cow to keep their bloated government going. Well the cow is a little under the weather now, but the bloated government of TR needs to keep going so someone has to pay.
Johnjcpa
11:07 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Joanna, nobody rewrote the rules FEMA is using just before Sandy. Nobody wants to use the word, but the emergency funds that FEMA grants are "WELFARE" benefits. FEMA was designed to aid, feed and house people that were harmed during a disaster that overwhelmed local communities not prepared o handle major disasters. Consider yourself lucky that you don't need to be bussed to a shelter to wait for a trailer that might be located 50 to 60 miles from your home.
There are just as many people if not more that have been displaced in Toms River and the town is aware of all the issues.
Vent if you must, but some people are not spending enough time really thinking through their circumstances. I sold my last property at the beach seven years ago, and I really doubt that the property is worth half of what I sold it for then, damaged or not. Depending on your circumstances, some people might be better off talking to their advisors and then taking your keys to the bank. The term " under water" applies to many people that bought in the last 6 or 7 years.
No doubt all properties will be revalued, but that same lower valuation will mean that your property is valued and worth less than your mortgage. Borrowing at low interest from FEMA on a property worth less than the first mortgage isn't a great plan. The only plus is that rental rates will be strong for years.
Morty P.
9:19 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
A good point there. I sustained damage and my mortgage company has just about begged us not to walk away. Funny, when i had problems a few times paying over the years they called 100 times a day, now they are like, please stay we will help you.
serenity woods
9:43 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
You borrowed their money. If you walk away...it costs them as well. But you are right...they will screw you when you needed their help. Its like the insurance company.
jack cee
10:42 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
I still feel they should restrict non home owners from the barrier island.Give me a good reason why any non homeowner should be there...Its still a mess and alot of houses are in very dangerous conditions.How are they going to stop people from going into side streets? Unless your working or you are a homeowner you have no business driving into any streets.
Paul C Vance
3:35 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
to all those who my think I sound like sour grapes my gripe is all second home owners are getting shafted we pay the same as a primary homes but are told we will be addressed after primary owner are addressed thats fine and they should get primary homeowners first but In turn moving forward secondary home should not contribute to services which due not apply to us such as school taxes we pay our mortgages just not for services we don't get Also with out secondary home owner these little towns and there little politication would be without our tax base then lets see where we stand