Rutgers Students Help Toms River Map Sandy Damage

Students from Rutgers gave Toms River officials a hand in identifying homes affected by Superstorm Sandy that are eligible for the township's demolition and debris removal program. 

Over 250 homes in Toms River were so badly damaged by the storm that they require demolition — others have debris that needs to be removed. Last month, a contract was awarded by the Township Council allowing for the removal process to move forward, but not every homeowner eligible for the program applied. 

"Toms River was in need of identifying some properties along the bayfront on the mainland that were structurally damaged and/or required assistance with removing storm-related debris," said Assistant Township Planner Erika Stahl in a news release. 

That's where the students from the Rutgers the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy came in. They created a smart phone app in their Community Mapping class that helps towns classify homes damaged by Sandy. 

"The community mapping class customized the application to create identifiers for demolition and debris removal," Stahl said.

The students, led by Rutgers adjunct professor Dr. Wansoo Im, found about 35 properties in need of demolition assistance and 15 homes requiring debris removal assistance in the Bay Shore, Shelter Cove, Snug Harbor and Green Island sections, according to the township. 

"We’re grateful that the team of 17 students and professors took the time to work in Toms River," said Township Council Vice President Maria Maruca. "Apparently there are a number of homes on the mainland who have not yet applied for free assistance with the Personal Property and Debris Removal program. The teams of volunteers were able to help pinpoint some of those homes for us."

Toms River worked out a plan with FEMA to demolish those structures at no cost to the owner as residents continue to struggle financially with Sandy's impact. A FEMA reimbursement of between 75 and 90 percent of the township's cost for the project is expected. 

"I knew that there would be debris and houses that still need to be repaired but there is much more work to be done than I realized," said Leila Ashour, a Rutgers senior who participated in the mapping project. "I also learned about the obstacles that the town officials must deal with in contacting the owners and the residents who live nearby these abandoned homes."

Only homes that have been sustained structural damage qualify for the demolition program, according to the township. That includes any damage that has comprised the structural soundness of the building, which may or may not include damage to the foundation, exterior walls, load baring walls, beams, and roof support system.

Any home that is not clearly visible to have structural damage from the street requires a structural engineer report and the homeowner is responsible for hiring an engineer to provide such report, township officials said. 

"The demolition program is going to go a long way to clean up some of the debris and homes on Ortley Beach that were damaged," said council President George Wittmann when a $6.7 million contract was awarded for demolition last month.