Home Demolition Program Begins Saturday in Ortley Beach

Toms River's program to demolish homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy is set to begin on Saturday morning in Ortley Beach, Mayor Thomas Kelaher announced.

More than 100 homes are expected to be demolished through the township's Private Property Debris Removal Program. The removal of the homes will be reimbursed by FEMA, according to the township. 

"Our residents are eager to start the rebuilding process," Kelaher said in a statement. 

A $6,674,520 contract was awarded in March to Hudson Valley Environmental for the demolition. 

Demolition Saturday will begin in Ortley Beach at a Seagull Lane home and move on to homes on Beier and Nichols Avenue, according to Public Works Director Lou Amoruso. Once the first round of Ortley homes are removed, the contractor will work on homes in the North Beach section and then Toms River's mainland. 

"The idea is to get as many homes removed before the start of the summer season and to remove debris from sites as it presents a hazard to the public," Township Council President George Wittmann said in a March column describing Sandy recovery efforts.

On the barrier island, more than 6,500 homes were damaged by Sandy. Almost 4,000 homes were damaged on the mainland, according to the township. 

"Most of the homes had some form of flooding, but a lot of the dwellings will need to be knocked down because of structural problems," Kelaher said. 

Residents with structurally damaged homes were mailed an information packet and encouraged to participate in the PPDR program. Assistant Township Planner Erika Stahl has been assisting residents with their registration, which can be lengthy because of FEMA approval. 

Students from the Rutgers the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy recently came to Toms River to help identify homeowners eligible for the program who did not apply.