He’s been here just one month and already Father Gene, the Rev.Eugene Vavrick, has won the hearts of the parish.
Father Gene came to Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes parish at the request of Bishop David O’Connell, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Trenton. He was selected to serve as parochial vicar to the pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn.
For several years, Father Quinn has been the sole resident priest at the parish that encompasses two churches, St. Agnes in Atlantic Highlands and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Highlands. Parishioners come from both towns, others from Sea Bright and many from Middletown.
Father Quinn has had several priests assisting him with Sunday masses over the years but has borne the daily work of a priest and pastor of the parish by himself.
With Father Vavrick now in residence along with Father Quinn, many aspects of church work can be shared, giving both priests more time to carry out both the spiritual and temporal duties in the parish.
While Father Gene may be new as pastoral assistant, but he is certainly familiar with the area. He grew up in the Bayshore.
A priest for 30 years, having been ordained in May, 1993, Father Gene graduated from St. Ann’s Grammar School in Keansburg and Holmdel High School. He lived in both Hazlet and Holmdel during his growing up years.
He went to King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, graduating with degrees in government and business administration. Not enough for him to succeed in two majors, he then went on to the University of Notre Dame to begin graduate studies in theology.
He returned to Monmouth County in 1981 and taught religious studies at St. John Vianney High School. At the same time, he also became Director of the Christian Service program there and was active in the retreat program for students.
Father Gene still recalls that working with the Rev. William Bausch, the award winning author and former pastor. The two priests had a program where the students conducted their own version of a Church Ecumenical Council….he refers to that good naturedly as “our own Vatican III
Father assigned each of the students to be a Bishop, others as Cardinals, and one was elected Pope!
“We had some very interesting discussions and debates,” he says today, smiling, “The results of the Council were controversial then, and even more troublesome nowadays.”
After teaching at St. John Vianney, Father Gene returned to Notre Dame to take on more theology studies, completing his master’s degree in Liturgical Theology in 1988, then his Master of Divinity in 1989.
Quickly and proudly admitting he is a fan of Notre Dame football, Father was active with Campus Ministry and served on the staff of Residence Life, being the Assistant Rector of Holy Cross Hall. Even through today, he maintains warm relationships with many Notre
Dame Alumni, and still serves as Chaplain to the Notre Dame Club of the Jersey Shore.
Armed with experience, practical and theological knowledge, Father Gene was then ordained a priest in the Trenton diocese and served in several different parishes through the next many years, including St. Mary’s in New Monmouth. He also served at St. Mary of the Lake, Lakewood,Sacred Heart, Mount Holly, and St. Martha, Point Pleasant.
In 2004, Bishop Smith asked him to pastor the parish of St. Anselm in Tinton Falls, a position he held there for more than 20 years. Father Gene was also at Villa Vianney in Lawrenceville before the Bishop asked him to serve once again in the Bayshore.
Working as pastor of St. Anselm’s also brought numerous opportunities to serve the people, Father Gene said, and expressed his happiness that he “had the chance to walk with the people of St. Anselm for almost 20 years. I certainly learned a lot from that
wonderful, progressive community.”
It’s because of all those experiences in the past, the priest says, that he now comes to OLPH-St Agnes “with lots of gratitude for what has been,” adding “I look forward to sharing ministry with the people of this unique parish community. I pray that we can all grow into
becoming ever-faithful disciples of Jesus.”
Whether it’s his quick smile, gentle conversations, or booming baritone when singing in church, Father Gene has already been warmly welcomed by parishioners, offering masses, like Fr. Jarlath, in both churches during the week and on Sundays.
“The New Jersey DEP has inspected the site multiple times “since receiving the July 26 report on the possible increased contamination to soil and water surrounding the McConnell tract, Councilman James Murphy said this week. He indicated the agency has deemed it safe to continue construction.
Murphy, a councilman running for the mayoral seat in the November election, was joined by fellow candidates Ellen O’Dwyer and Vinnie Whitehead in urging the borough to take immediate action responding to the claims of increased soil and water contamination surrounding the Denholtz construction site on the waterfront property off Ave D and Center Avenue.
The councilman said he has spoken with concerned residents as well as Administrator Rob Ferragina regarding the environmental issues and knows that in addition to the NJ DEP inspections, the Monmouth County Health Department also toured the site, and both deemed it safe for redevelopment operations to continue.
However, the press release from AH Strong said, “With recent reports from Atlantic Highlands residents of odor, visible soil and water contamination, there are concerns that the stability of the site has changed.’ However, the release pointed out, the two agencies have declared it safe to proceed.
This site originally was deemed an active soil remediation site with measurable ground water contamination. It is currently in year 5 of a 50-year monitoring plan in agreement with the DEP which will continue to monitor the site.
The AH Strong team is calling for the documentation of the NJ DEP and Monmouth County Health Departments investigations and findings to be publicly published.
“Concerned citizens should be apprised of these test results as they compare to earlier monitoring reports,” the AH Strong team said, urging the municipality to “be diligent in its oversight of this redevelopment project to prevent and mitigate such threats” along with assurance it will take appropriate and immediate corrective action should any occur.
“This was just introduced, but we will see it all the way through,” a joyous Congressman Frank Pallone told Highlands clammers and borough officials Tuesday morning when came to the borough and announced a bill he sponsored promoting more attention to seafood and the health benefits of seafood introduced with bipartisan support.
Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon and Councilwoman Joann Olszewski were among those available for the morning meeting with the Congressman, who also introduced Michael Deluca from the Seafood Research Lab and explained how the bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress on how much funding is spent on aquaculture as opposed to agriculture and its impact on seafood purchases, grants and other purposes.
Mayor Broullon praised the new bill, thanking Pallone for bringing attention to the seafood industry and the clamming industry in particular, and pointing out it brings better parody to the aquaculture industry as a whole. She said the act, known as the SEAS ACT, is a great opportunity for the seafood industry to have parity with land farmers.
In thanking the Congressman for sponsoring the legislation, she said “The commitment to Reporting, Education, Regional Centers, Research, Grants and Crop Insurance will be a welcome boost to our local economy here at the James T. White Clam Depuration Plant and across the region.”
The James T. White Depuration Plant, Highlands NJ
Keith Craffey, president of the Highlands Clammers Association, also praised Pallone and thanked him for the legislation which will afford more protection and assistance for the seafood industry and its workers.
Pallone, even though he anticipates great support on the bipartisan bill, promised the crowd at the James T. White Depuration plant beach on Cedar St. that “we will be fighting” for its passage until it is passed into law.
The SEAS ACT, which has been referred to committee, would require the Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress spending by the Department of Agriculture related to seafood purchases and grants, and for other purposes no later than one year after enactment and annually thereafter through fiscal year 2026.
The report must also include the total amount of expenditures on seafood and other aquaculture purchase for promotion of the industry, outreach supporting seafood and aquaculture and the value of such expenditures; the number of grants for the seafood and aquaculture industries, and other comparisons to paying attention to those who make their living on the water as opposed to on the land.
Pallone told the crowd in Highlands “I just eat seafood because it tastes so good,” but said the bill also includes a mandate for more education on the physical and health benefits of eating seafood, the number of vitamins and mineral are in varieties of seafood,, and the importance of keeping seafood an important part of every diet.
The bill also calls for evaluating the potential environmental benefits of the aquaculture industry with respect to climate control, conservation of natural resources as well as impact on pollution, disease and waste compared to agriculture.
Concerning education, the bill includes a mandate for the federal government to develop and implement a requirement for employees of the Farm Service Agency to offer training for all existing and new employees on eligibility for aquaculture-related Federal grants and programs as well as the support of the Department of Agriculture to provide this for seafood producers and aquaculture, all within two years, Pallone pointed out.
Included in the bill is also the mandate, that the Department of Agriculture plays a vital role in the United States agriculture system; and reiterates the eligibility of aquaculture and seafood products and producers for programs administered by the Secretary.
The bill calls for webinars every two years for conferences providing for education of officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture and other in the field of aquaculture in the United States.
“This Skate Park is dedicated to the Children of Highlands “said Mayor Carolyn Broullon as she and Councilman Donald Melnyk cut the ribbon before a crowd of more than 75 people to open the new Skate Park built primarily with Green Acres and other state funding.
Melnik, who heads the borough’s recreation and Open Space committees, also dedicated the park as a means for the borough to “invest in the future of Highlands” by providing open spaces for young people to get outside, recreate together, enjoy the outdoors and healthy exercise, make new friends and preserve memories. The councilman noted that providing healthy activities for the young “is a down payment for their future.”
The councilman, to the applause of the crowd, also emphasized “we’re not done!” with Broullon shaking her head in assent. “We have Frank Hall park, Overlook Park,.” Melnyk continued, while praising both the recreation department and the Department of Public Works for all they have done to complete the Skate Park along the block long stream of activities of active people of all ages.
The Skate Park was constructed by Spohn Ranch, Inc, with Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc. It stretches towards the Robert Wilson Community Center and the Snug Harbor Beach, a stretch that already includes tennis courts, a basketball and pickleball court, a gymnastics area for children and a relaxation area with tables, chairs and a mini-library available to all.
Broullon explained part of the funding is from “leftover from Green Acres funds and other money the borough received in the past but never used.
In the outdoor ceremony that began with a Pledge of Allegiance led by Ptl. Robert Alvator, Rev. Martin McGrail also praised the thought and dedication that went into the park’s planning and construction and shows the vision of the governing body in investing in the young. “We are all so grateful for all the hands that went into making this possible,” he said, and added the park itself “shows the needs we have.”
The minister noted that if anything good came out of the Covid experience, it was that “we are all in this together,” and we need to enjoy the outdoors, enjoy being together, and need to recreate.
Following the brief ceremony and ribbon cutting, scores of energetic residents, skateboards in hand, climbed the stairs, went beyond the fenced area and tried out the rolls, twists, turns, slides and jumps of an intricate and challenging skate park. Cyclone fencing and locks surrounding the park ensure safety during nighttime or off hours.
“I do not appreciate or agree with your take on the topics related to our Superintendent and regionalization. Please use facts and not put your personal opinions out there.”
That’s the comment VeniVidiScripto received in response to an article on the blog referring to the Henry Hudson superintendent, regionalization and the decisions the people of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright have to make.
All well and good. As a proponent of everything Thomas Jefferson stood, fought for, and defended, I respect and appreciate everyone’s right to opine on anything in the blog. The option, of course, if things offend, upset, anger or scare a reader, is simply not to read it.
Normally VeniVidiScripto would not respond to a comment like this. Everyone has the right to an opinion in the United States. And to express it. Thank you, First Amendment.
But this comment is especially sad and disturbing. Because it begins with
“As a BOE member…….
So, a Board member who just approved putting the regionalization of two towns, not three, on a special ballot that will cost the taxpayers a few thousand dollars thinks it is proper to tell me to NOT PUT my personal opinions out there?
A Board member who authorized, read, and at some time agreed with the opinion of the expert taxpayers that Sea Bright should be included in any regionalization plan thinks it is proper to tell me to NOT PUT my personal opinions out there?
A board member who thinks she has the right, which she does, to “put out there” her opinion thinks that I should not put my personal opinion out there?
Is that what happens to people once they get positions of power, control or duty? Why is it the opinion of a Board of Education member that a citizen does not have the right to express her opinion? Why is it that a board of education member feels she can “put out” there that the writer has not used facts, but doesn’t feel she should identify what facts should have been used?
It is a sad commentary on the individual when “as a board member” one feels that gives her the right to silence or order or tell everyone else they do not have the right to have an opinion.
A board member is elected, sometimes appointed, by the people to represent the people.
A board member, like any elected official, needs to listen to the people in order to represent them.
A board member needs to hear from the people their opinions, their ideas, yes, even their suggestions, whether she likes them or not.
Maybe if the opinion of this board member is similar to that of other board members, it explains the problem the taxpayers and parents who want their kids to have the best education possible are having with this whole idea of regionalization.
It certainly makes it appear that board members are not listening to the people, not listening to the expert they retained; they appear to be listening only to the superintendent, their paid employee who has a personal interest in how the situation is resolved.
The board members appear to NOT want input from the people. Heck, they don’t even want the input from the expert they retained. So why on earth should a taxpayer feel her opinion should be heard?
Why should it come as a surprise when a board member writes “as a BOE board member,”….. as if she has more rights now that she is a board member, than an ordinary citizen?
Perhaps it isn’t entirely the fault of the board member.
Traditionally, and ironically, the largest part of the tax dollar is spent on education. Yet so many times it is so difficult to get candidates to run for the board of education.
Traditionally, and ironically in view of the huge amount of tax dollars poured into education, very few people attend meetings, and fewer yet even understand everything that goes on at meetings.
Traditionally, and ironically, voters do not turn out for special elections. Even school board elections receive fewer voters than other municipal elections.
Many boards have members who are parents of children in the school system they are selected to oversee. Those board members do not always vote the way they feel; they fear retaliation in some way against their child in the school.
Perhaps it is time to call for a state law to prohibit board members who have students in the district from serving. Perhaps it is time to call for a state law to prohibit members of teachers unions from serving on boards of education since they may feel a closer need to represent the union to which they belong rather than the people who put them in office.
These are only opinions. Mine. And thank you, Mr. Jefferson, thank you First Amendment, for preserving my right to express them. Publicly. And often.
It’s show time again Thursday night in Atlantic Highlands when the Planning Board continues hearing the Kalian application to build that second apartment complex on First Avenue where Mike’s Deli is now. Stay Informed
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and every resident, regardless of where he lives in town, should be present either in person or on zoom and become informed with all the details of what is being offered and what the planning board will do about it. Stay Informed
The borough has strict building regulations for a purpose. When the Master Plan for the borough was designed, and the laws made for what can go where and how it should look, it was for a reason. It is to keep the appearance of the town the way people who live here want it.
Builders who want to deviate from that plan must show a reason why it is necessary to do something “a little bit different” and still be able to build it. That’s what a variance is.
Only the planning board can grant a variance, that is, sufficient reason to go against the law that keeps buildings in Atlantic Highlands in the style the overall plan calls for.
Every town has a planning board, every town grants variances, some for very small reasons like building a porch on a house that is a foot closer to the property line than it should be. Then others request more variances, to either build too much on too small a piece of property, offer rooms, or parking spaces, or building heights, or other reasons.
So this is where the Planning Board needs the help of the residents. These are big decisions to make, deciding whether a builder is presenting something good enough, important enough, beneficial enough for the town to go against the Master Plan.
If they can prove some things are good and will benefit the town, and not cause any problems, then the planners may grant a variance, a deviation from the law. It’s up to residents to be informed, know exactly what the plans are, think of how it will impact them, their view of the town, their safety, their health or any other reason.
By attending the planning board meeting, residents can see the exhibits, hear the ideas, see how it impacts themselves, and be informed. They can give their own opinion, they can say whether they think going against the rule is worth the change it will create. Stay Informed
So, Thursday night, the hearing continues for what at this point would be the second tallest building in the borough, about a block from the entrance to the borough. Right next to what is probably the third tallest building in the borough. Stay Informed
The builders are willing to make changes, so they don’t need so many variances. They’re willing to hear the suggestions of the engineer and the planning board; in fact, they will probably have some different ideas Thursday night from what they presented last week. That’s because some wise members of the planning board and the borough’s very sharp Engineer Rohmeyer, asked lots of questions, made lots of suggestions and are working with the builder so he can perhaps make adjustments that are more in keeping with the law.
It’s an important meeting to attend. It probably won’t even be the last meeting of this particular project. But once approvals are given, and variances are granted, it isn’t easy to come back and say this is not a good thing for this town. Stay Informed
Be informed. Learn what’s going up on a small piece of property for the size of the building. When you get the chance, give your opinion. Let the Planning Board members know your concerns. Find out for yourself how many variances are too many? How many ways should a builder be able to go against the law and still keep Atlantic Highlands looking like the people of Atlantic Highlands want it to look like.
Stay informed. That’s the only way good things happen.
The second Planning Board hearing for 160 First Avenue is THURSDAY, August 3 at 7pm in Borough Hall.
At the Planning Board hearing, information on the proposed building, which would be the second tallest building in the Borough, was presented by two of the professionals retained by Kalian Corporation to build the complex.
Based on what the developer heard from the Board at the previous Planning Board hearing and the public’s concerns, in addition to more testimony and more experts testifying, it is probably the developer will offer changes to the design to come more in keeping with concerns raised at that meeting.
Numerous variances will be required for the building in the present proposal and it appears that no fewer than 44 variances are currently required.
The construction is planned for a property with 117-foot frontage on First Ave and a depth of 170 feet adjacent to a residential area.
Visit the Borough website at www.AHNJ.Com for the Planning Board Zoom attendance at the meeting, or attend in person at Borough Hall, 100 First Ave.
Veni Vidi Scripto has two important questions residents should be asking each other. One is what is the TriDistrict? Right now, there is no such thing.
The second, and more important is, why ever would three boards of education, comprised of intelligent thinking people, get an idea that should have been and could have been done more than half a century ago. Who Benefits … why is it such a good idea now?
Nobody did anything for more than 50 years, and now, all of a sudden, it’s so great and it has to be voted on so soon. Worse, why now go with backward thinking when Sea Bright is offering a 21st century solution. If the voters want it, it would bring money and better educational opportunities into the mix and make it all worthwhile?
If the local boards of education just thought a little more wisely today they could come up with something better that what they could have being doing for more than half a century.
Elections are expensive. So are all the changes that have to be made officially when names change. Right now, the three boards work well together. What’s to gain by sharing the costs differently, other than to make one board’s taxpayers pay a share of costs the other school board may have racked up? Who Benefits?
Are the boards of education who unanimously think that proposing the way the three schools deal with each other without any new ideas or money coming in going to explain how and why this is a good thing?
The boards say that at some time in the future, of course they want Sea Bright to join.
Heck, they even unanimously sent a resolution to the Commissioner saying that. So already that means they’re talking about yet another election after this rush job in 50 days or so. If approved, that would mean yet another change in the board that runs the schools. But at least at that time, there would be a few million dollars being poured in so it could certainly be worth it if an election included Sea Bright in a new district.
So let’s see who benefits from a special election to consolidate under one board what three boards apparently have been doing just fine for half a century or more.
Well, the Superintendent of the new tri-district would benefit a bundle. Right now, the superintendent is hired by Henry Hudson Regional School, and she is ‘shared’ by the two elementary schools. So there are three budgets but one employer, the Henry Hudson district.
With a ‘tridistrict board,” there would only be one budget. That means the costs and programs now decided by 26 different people would be decided by nine people. The superintendent would not have to answer to 26 people; she would just answer to nine people.
It would appear the two year contract with the current superintendent, which is slated to begin July 1, 2024, would have to be negotiated . There would no longer be the Henry Hudson Regional School Board of Education that negotiated it, with the approval of the two other boards who share in the cost.
But there would not be any three boards anymore, so how could the contract still be valid? Wouldn’t the new board of education, those new nine board members, have any say in who is running a district that did not exist when the contract was signed?
The superintendent also benefits from a decision to include only the three schools that now share her services rather than include Sea Bright. Who Benefits?
Remember, the superintendent lives in Oceanport. That’s the town where Sea Bright youngsters currently go to school. If Sea Bright were included in the new and approved Tri-District, that would take a whole bunch of money away from Oceanport, hence, higher taxes for Oceanport residents … including the superintendent. Who Benefits?
No one has very explained to VeniVidiScripto or anyone else, why the very fact that adding Sea Bright to the mix would have an immediate impact on the personal life of the superintendent is NOT a conflict of interest. Who Benefits?
No one has ever explained why this apparent conflict has not prevented the superintendent from participating so heavily in all the negotiations for regionalization, being the primary speaker and advising the boards of education. Who Benefits?
These are the three boards that a few days ago unanimously voted to put a regionalization question on a special ballot that does NOT include Sea Bright. The same three boards of education that had their own experts, paid by tax dollars, advise them of all the benefits of including Sea Bright. Why hire experts to advise if you don’t want to take their advice? Who Benefits?
Perhaps the Commissioner of Education should shoulder some of the blame. She’s been sitting on that idea that was proposed, approved, and unanimously sent to her by BOTHthe governing bodies AND the three boards of Education.
That is the resolution to approve a vote on a NEW Tri District which would include Sea Bright, bring money into Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, make life easier for Sea Bright youngsters and make a positive change both in taxes and education. Who Benefits?
Her delay on that decision on that resolution is apparently because of that lawsuitOceanport is bringing against Sea Bright for daring to try to take charge of educating their own kids the way they want.
Oh, that’s Oceanport again. The town where the superintendent of the other three schools lives and … pays taxes. Who Benefits?
There are strong minds, great research, and a reliability for good reason on all the experts on this issue among the governing bodies of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright. Their joint letter this week urging the Commissioner to act shows their strong desire to put question before the public that include ALL options, not simply organize three schools that work together into one district with no additional gains in either educational standards of money.
Let’s see what happens if the Commissioner grants that resolution request and governing bodies can put the complete question on the November ballot.
Once again, history will be made.
Look for another story soon on what exactly is the Tri District the boards talk about.
Mayors Carolyn Broullon of Highlands, Brian Kelly of Sea Bright and Loretta Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands.
Letters From Regionalization
The Mayors of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright, who have been trying to let the people of their towns decide whether they want regionalization for several years also lost no time in letting the Commission of Education know they are “delighted she…..recognizes the merit of consolidating the three school district” and they “are particularly pleased that our votes can decide this issue at a referendum in the fall.”
Mayors Carolyn Broullon of Highlands, Brian Kelly of Sea Bright and Loretta Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands.
Highlands Mayor Carol Broullon was the first to let her residents know of the surprising and sudden move made by the boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, posting the letter on the borough website.
Her action, and the letter from the three mayors, refers to the action the three boards of education unanimously took at a hastily called special meeting earlier this week in which they set Sept. 26 at the date for a special election to Wednesday night whether Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Henry Hudson schools could consolidate in one regional district.
The mayors’ letter, however, also reflects their grave concerns over the boards’ request to the Commissioner, and her response at the recommendation of the county superintendent, omits Sea Bright from the vote or inclusion in the K-12 regionalization plan.
The mayors pointed out that two studies, one done by the three boards of education with state funds, the other by the boroughs with local funds, both by third party organizations, also show tax savings and educational opportunities in any regionalization are only possible if Sea Bright is included.
The measure passed unanimously by all three boards of education at the hastily called meeting, does not address Sea Bright at all. The mayors beseeched the Commission to include Sea Bright in the fall referendum and expressed the hope that is the action she will take shortly.
The Joint letter reads, in full:
As mayors of Sea Bright, Highlands, and Atlantic Highlands, we are delighted that the Commissioner of Education has reviewed the submissions from our three towns and three boards of education and recognized the merit of consolidating our three school districts. We are particularly pleased that our voters can decide this issue at a referendum this fall.
However, those same submissions made it clear that the essential benefits of regionalization can be enjoyed only if Sea Bright is part of the new regional district. As there is no legal or factual impediment to including the option to include Sea Bright in the upcoming referendum, we urge the Commissioner to conclude her analysis and follow the direction of every expert retained by our six public bodies; that is, the tax savings and educational opportunities available through regionalization can be fully realized only if Sea Bright is part of the region. Thus, the option to include Sea Bright must be part of this fall’s referendum and we trust that the Commissioner will approve same in the coming days.
Loretta Gluckstein, Mayor of Atlantic Highlands
Carolyn Broullon, Mayor of Highlands
Brian Kelly, Mayor of Sea Bright
Members of all three boards of education unanimously approved the Sept. 26 special election date for the regionalization question without Sea Bright with all members present voting in favor. Only Atlantic Highlands Board President Molly Murphy abstained from the vote. Her husband, Councilman James Murphy, is on the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council.
At the same meeting, the three boards also unanimously approved a new contract of two-year term for Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams when her current contract expires June 30, 2024. That contract would expire June 30, 2026.
According to business administrator for two boards Janet Sherlock, Wednesday’s meeting was advertised in the Star Ledger on June 24 and the Asbury Park Press on June 26 apparently with incomplete or incorrect information. The notice was “updated” and sent to both daily newspapers Saturday, July 22. No notice was sent to the local weekly legal newspaper for the boards, the Two River Times.
It almost looks like there’s a perfect storm brewing in Atlantic Highlands, with so many major issues ongoing.
There’s that all of a sudden rush for a vote on the school regionalization question which has been studied, talked about, and delayed for years, to say nothing of money paid for experts to say what’s best for education and the economy… A Perfect Storm is brewing
There is that litigation over faults in construction of a building that the borough previously approved and paid for a couple of years back… A Perfect Storm is brewing
Then there is the litigation surrounding the denialof reasonable accommodation requests … A Perfect Storm is brewing
There is that second high rise apartment complex being planned for right smack door to the one nearly completion…A Perfect Storm is brewing
There are the ongoing problems of too much traffic on First Avenue, and not enough parking to enjoy the borough’s wonderful shops and restaurants… A Perfect Storm is brewing
There is still the wonder of what, if anything, is ever going to happen to the Mother Theresa school property and how plans for that will impact or change a residential neighborhood… A Perfect Storm is brewing
Then of course there is also cannabis and whether shops should be allowed in town which has not even been addressed publicly by the borough fathers and mothers yet… A Perfect Storm is brewing
And it’s the beginning of what promises to be an interesting local election cycle in September and November not only for the Borough Council but also the boards of education…A Perfect Storm is brewing
In the midst of it all, Mark Fisher, probably the best watcher and documenter of everything going on in town, is knee deep, pun intended, in what could also be a very serious problem not only in the borough but in Sandy Hook Bay and beyond. In spite of the urgency of it all, Mr. Fisher hasn’t gotten the cooperation of the powers that be, who better start paying attention to the necessity to protect our natural resources. A Perfect Storm is brewing
Not only does Mark record every detail of every problem he sees, but he is resourceful, hard working, and determined to correct wrongs and problems wherever he can. He knows the things he cannot accomplish on his own, so he depends on the powers that be to do something; in fact, he gives them all the leads, help, photos, samples and anything else they need simply to do their job.
The latest is the Denholtz projecton the McConnell tract off Ave, D, Years ago, when the construction of large homes on the site came before the planning board, Mark reminded everyone the property is an active DEP remediation site.
Seems that back in the 40s and 50s, the 60s as well, there was an active petrochemical storage tank and fuel oil truck terminal going on there. So there are hydrocarbons chemicals and carcinogens showing up on when the wells on site are monitored. Mark reminded the governing body of all of this and suggested that with these things all present, messing with the land would make it move around. Not a good thing.
And that’s what appears to be happening.
So Mark fired off an e-mail to the mayor, the council members, the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commissioner and the business administrator who has been responded to Mark’s “sniff tests” of what he has dug up. He had a bunch of questions for a regular meeting of Council, which would have been last night. But since there is only one meeting in July, even these questions have to wait for any action, so Mark wrote everybody instead.
Here’s Mark’s letter. It went to everybody on council, the administrator and the AH Environmental Commissioner…A Perfect Storm
After hearing AHFD being dispatched over county radio on Monday, and following the heavy rain storms Tuesday afternoon, I thought this morning [Wednesday] would be a good time to walk the shoreline north of the Denholtz redevelopment project at low-tide to determine for myself if I could see or smell any obvious environmental contamination issues.
As you may recall, the Denholtz redevelopment site was formerly an active petrochemical storage tank facility and fuel oil truck terminal operation during the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. Currently, there is “ongoing site remediation” under the supervision of the NJDEP through a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP). Remediation of the site’ contaminants is by “natural attenuation”; there is no current, nor previous, physical removal of sub-surface liquid contaminants and soil.
There has, however, been recent extensive site regrading to accommodate the construction of 16 new homes on the site. Establishing underground utilities infrastructure began yesterday, with trenches being dug near Ave. D, a road bed will be installed with the excavations for the home foundations next and eventually, a public boardwalk along the water.
I accessed the beach bordering Sandy Hook Bay [on Wednesday] through the public access path from Center Avenue Park, proceeded through the catamaran club/public beach and walked east along the shore line in front of the construction area. About 100 yards east of the cat club, I detected a very obvious hydrocarbon odor.
The area where I detected the odor, as a landmark, is where there are two deteriorated steel pipes running in a north/south direction laying half exposed in the sand. These two pipes, in decades past, were used to transfer the oil products from barges tied-up a few hundred yards off-shore into the onshore holding tanks. Nothing is coming from these two pipes you will see in the pictures below, the “pipes” are now just shards of metal.
Parallel to the shoreline is a dilapidated timber retaining wall that runs along the entire length of the Denholtz north property line. This wall in most locations, holds-back the sand/gravel from the elevations above; the predominant project grading above and to the south of that area is perhaps 10-12 feet higher than the shoreline sand.
It should be noted that at no time during my walk along the shoreline did I witness any evidence of oil sheening in the water.
Being that my purpose for this trip north of the site was to determine if there are any ongoing environmental issues influenced by the many inches of rain experienced 18-hours prior, I brought a small jar to take a sample; if I saw sheen, it would have been a bay water sample. However, seeing no sheen, I chose to take a soil sample. The soil in this area is very large-grain beach sand and a high percentage of small pebbles.
I stood where the hydrocarbon odor was the most obvious, and at about waist-high level behind the timber retaining wall, was very wet soil. I took a small piece of driftwood and scraped down about 2-inches and scooped up a sample of the soil into the sample jar and capped it. Low tide [Wednesday] morning was at 0806, I noted the time of the sample at 0836. I took pictures of the area where the sample was taken and walked back to my car parked at Center Ave. Park, uncapped the jar and, not surprisingly, there was a very heavy smell of hydrocarbon (oil).
On my way home, I asked the Business Administrator if he had a moment to also witness the odor of the sample taken for himself outside of Borough Hall, he confirmed a hydrocarbon smell as well and suggested that I file a complaint with the NJDEP.
A formal notification was made with the NJDEP at 9:21 am, I gave the information to “Operator 58”. The NJDEP Case # is 23-07-26-0921-35. From what I understand, this is not the first complaint filed with the NJDEP about issues at the Denholtz property. I have retained the sample and am willing to let anyone who wishes stick their nose in the jar; it will leave no doubt that there is an ongoing environmental situation at the Denholtz redevelopment property.
It is of my opinion that this hydrocarbon, at some point during the twice-daily tidal cycles, is actually getting into the water of Sandy Hook Bay…how can it not?. The water is 4-feet higher at high tide, the shore line in this specific area is inaccessible to the public as it is located on a site secured by a chain-link fence and locked gates. Perhaps sheen could be detected at high tide in this area, but the area can only be accessed by the public at low tide.
It appears the regrading of the area has caused the known underground hazardous contaminants to actively move toward the bay, Tuesday rains helped push it there. The LSRP, county HAZMAT and NJDEP should come to the site — AT LOW TIDE — and take their own soil samples at the foot of the hill all along the timber retaining wall (at the approximate high-tide level) and decide a path-forward to mitigate the hazardous contaminants, rather than continuing passive “natural attenuation”.
The Borough has indisputable evidence, proof that there is an ONGOING AND CONSTANT environmental situation that directly affects the waters of Sandy Hook Bay, to some extent, with every tidal cycle; if there are hydrocarbons in this small random sample taken at the water line, there is some amount of hydrocarbons getting into the water with every cycle through high tide. Many noses have gone into that sample jar in the last two days, and every person agrees it has an oily smell.
While the Denholtz redevelopment project is located on private property, and the Borough officials may feel that their hands are tied legally and procedurally, ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC PERSONALLY NOTIFYING NJDEP, ALSO STEWARDS OF PROTECTING ALL OF THE GOD-GIVEN NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE BOROUGH, CAN’T NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.
Everything that I warned the Planning Board, developer and the public about four years ago is happening, I have evidence proving it is happening. The Planning Board approved this project, now the Borough owns the problem.
Subscribe to Mark’s group at AHNewsByMarkFisher@gmail.com. He even includes the tide tables in case you don’t to go down and see things for yourself, sniff the air or water, and perhaps do something to help.
Maybe you want to ask the question Mark’s asking:
Today is Thursday, two business days after the soil sample was taken and Borough officials notified of the contents. What is being done about it?
A Perfect Storm is brewing, and we might all want to take cover
