The BERKELEY Times Vol. 29 - No. 52
In This Week’s Edition
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Dive Team Cleans Cedar Creek Bottom
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Government Page 7
Community News Pages 7-16
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 20
Photo courtesy BTUSAR Members of Berkeley Township Underwater Search And Rescue cleaned the bottom of Cedar Creek recently. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The parks and shores are prime locations for clean-ups, but one group goes even further by removing garbage from the river bottom. Berkeley Township Underwater Search And Rescue stands ready for capsized ships or missing persons, but at the start of summer they use their skills to search for trash.
Captain Carl Mattocks said they started their clean-up at the trestle in Bayville and made their way to Dudley Park. “For us, we know debris is in the water,” he said. “Sad to say a lot of it is broken glass. We don’t want that to end up in the Dudley Park area.” The river flows at a pretty good pace, so there’s a strong chance that the garbage left
from people partying at the trestle will make its way to the small family-friendly beach at Dudley. So, a group of volunteers donned scuba equipment and scoured the bottom of Cedar Creek. They collected a number of beer cans and bottles. “That’s the stuff that can cut people,” he said. “When we go in the water, we’re prepared.”
Tribute Given To Local WWII Hero “Bud” Lomell
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Photos and Lomell’s uniform was on display at the presentation.
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - As the 80th year since the momentous D-Day invasion was commemorated, a local hero’s name rose to the forefront once again. Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell’s bravery hasn’t been lost to time. During a re-
cent interview and book signing by acclaimed author Steven M. Gillon, Lomell’s legacy was celebrated anew. Decades ago, Tom Brokaw’s “The Greatest Generation” spotlighted Lomell’s heroism, dedicating an entire chapter to his wartime exploits. (Lomell - See Page 4)
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They have thick gloves and boots on to protect themselves, as opposed to someone swimming in just a bathing suit. The divers also donned 25-40 pounds of weights to let them sink to the bottom and stay there without the cur rent pushing them around. So, it was a physically demanding task. “We’re used to low visibility,” Mattocks said, but they also brought lights to help them find items. There were some spots that trapped the garbage easily, in the way that a beaver dam would collect material, so that helped the divers fi nd trash. By the end of the day, they had collected six to seven big black garbage bags, enough to fill two boats, he said. Mattocks thanked the township for supporting their efforts, and noted that the Parks Department removes the garbage after they collect it. (Clean Up See Page 5)
June 15, 2024
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The 2024 budget for the town will have a public hearing during the Tow nsh ip Cou ncil meeting on June 24. Although towns have a fiscal year the same as a calendar year, the state gover nment’s fiscal year starts July 1. Therefore, towns usually put their budgets together around this time every year, once they get confi rmation of how much aid they will get from the state. T he budget wa s i nt roduced du r i ng the Township Council’s May meeting. The total budget on this document is $61,450,458.49. Of this, $39,904,099.72 wa s c om i ng f r om taxes. These figures could change between the introduction and the fi nal vote on June 24. Meetings start at 6
p.m. in the town hall at 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road. Lead Paint Law The Township Council awarded a contract for certified lead paint inspection services to Gotham Realty Management, LLC in the amount of $375 per inspection. The ordinances i n tow n were also cha nge d t o c reat e rules for when property owners need to get their buildings inspected for lead paint. It matters the most for rental properties or properties when they change hands. Rules were created that explain how someone would go about getting their house tested, and fees if they are found in violation. Business Administrator John Camera said that the cost for inspection, plus an
(Budget - See Page 7)
Officials Test Boardwalk Games For Fairness By Alyssa Riccardi SEASIDE HEIGHTS – State officials took advantage of the sunny weather, shooting hoops and testing arcade games in order to keep these keeps games of chance fair and honest. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, Ocean
County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd, Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Cari Fais and numerous members of her department came out to the Seaside Heights boardwalk to promote a “safe summer”
when it comes to honest game play and shopping. The team started their initiative at Lincoln Avenue, where they kicked off the “Safe Summer 2024” event. The program is designed to promote a family-friendly (Boardwalk See Page 5)
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