The BERKELEY Times Vol. 30 - No. 35
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Fire Company Thanked For Mutual Aid
In This Week’s Edition
Affordable Housing Numbers Accepted
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Photo by Chris Lundy Ocean Gate and Berkeley elected officials thanked the Bayville Volunteer Fire Department.
Community News Pages 6, 8-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – It’s not unusual for elected officials to praise their own first responders. It’s a little different for elected officials to come from another town to thank your first responders. But that is what happened when Ocean Gate’s Mayor Robert Curtin and Council President James McGrath visited a recent Berkeley Township Council meeting to thank the Bayville Volunteer Fire Company for their mutual aid. Recently, they helped put out a fire at a home in Ocean Gate. McGrath, a retired Jersey City firefighter, complimented “the professionalism you showed with
your action.” Curtin said, “This was a significant fire. It was not just smells and bells,” he said. “We’re a small town and we totally rely on you guys” for mutual aid. Mutual aid is when a town has a deal worked out with a neighbor to help with important duties. Mayor John Bacchione said that the Bayville Volunteer Fire Company has 60 members and a waiting list of people wanting to join, which shows just how well regarded they are. Church Update In related news, the Ocean Gate United Methodist Church has not yet reopened to services since the (Fire Company - See Page 4)
Environmental Grants Possible By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The Township Council onboarded with a state environmental plan that could lead to some funding down the road. They voted to participate in the State Development/ Redevelopment Plan Cross Acceptance Process. They also authorized to apply for funds to help plan for climate change. Planning, in this use, is defined by the rules of what is allowed to be built in different parts of town. Township Engineer James Oris said the state has announced a new initiative to ensure that towns’ planning matches the state’s Sustainable Jersey program. This would allow the town to apply for grants and win state
money for the town to develop master plan recommendations to make the town more resilient. In essence, it shows that the town will be a willing participant in amending the master plan to be cognizant of the changes in the climate and sea level, and would encourage the mayor and council to take part in it and have more say in what can be built. Resident Bill McGrath, who is on the Waterways Advisory Committee, a group of volunteers that looks out for the rivers and lagoons in town, warned that these grants are very competitive. In applying, the officials should note all the work that the town already did for environmental purposes. For example, the township is home to the new solar field (Grants - See Page 4)
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By Chris Lundy BERKELEY - The governing body accepted the number of affordable housing units that the state requires them to provide. Years ago, it was determined that the town of Mt. Laurel was effectively zoning poor people out. Since then, every town has been required to provide a certain number of units for low-to-moderate housing. Proponents of this have said that this has slowed down the housing crisis. Critics of this say that this takes control away from towns while not actually solving the problem of the lack of affordable housing. The new round of numbers has been published showing how many units each town has to set aside. Berkeley is responsible for 209 units. Township officials are given a chance to appeal this decision and try to lower that number. However, “that would almost certainly invite a legal challenge,” Business Administrator Scott Tirella said. “We have more than 209 Affordable Housing credits” so the township won’t be impacted by these new figures, he said. Personnel Changes Business Administrator Scott Tirella stepped down from the position to pursue other opportunities. Members of the governing body thanked him for his service and his hard work. A former police officer from Lacey Township, he took on the position when the former business administrator, John Camera, passed away from cancer last year after serving the town in that capacity for a decade. Mayor John Bacchione praised Tirella’s work, listing a series of accomplishments, including adjusting overtime, successfully receiving a $2.8 million grant from the county, and working with the State Department of Environmental Protection on projects. He also reduced costs for the township and settled contracts that had expired prior to 2023. “I am very sorry to see Scott leave. I think he did a great job for residents and for us,” Bacchione said. Members of the Township Council also (Housing - See Page 4)
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