Mayors: Unrestricted Access to Barrier Island Sections to Resume Jan. 7
Ortley Beach the only neighborhood which will not be open
Brick Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis [center], Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher [left] and Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist [right].
Township of Brick
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Unfettered access to barrier island neighborhoods of Brick and Toms River, as well as Seaside Heights, will resume Jan. 7, officials announced Friday.
Brick Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis and Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher both signed a formal request to Gov. Chris Christie's office certifying that public utilities and roadways would be restored by that date.
The request was also signed by Seaside Heights mayor William Akers, who did not attend the ceremony because he was attending the funeral of long-time Ocean County Sheriff William Polhemus.
The access plan, if approved by Christie, will allow full public access to all of the barrier island neighborhoods in Brick and Toms River, as well as Seaside Heights, with the exception or Ortley Beach.
Roadblocks at the Mantoloking and Thomas A. Mathis bridges across Barnegat Bay will be removed, and curfew restrictions will end.
Residents will be able to move back into their homes full-time.
"This day has been a long time coming," said Acropolis."When this first happened, the goal in our three towns, which represent approximately 200,000 residents in Ocean County, was to get the residents back as quickly as possible. I believe we've reached that goal."
Acropolis credited Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist and Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy with helping to manage safety and security during the cleanup of Superstorm Sandy, and allowing the restoration of services to progress as quickly as it did.
Kelaher said residents will have to make their own decisions as to whether their homes are habitable.
"As far as we're concerned, they can move back in full time, part time, whatever they want to do," said Kelaher.
Kelaher said Ortley Beach will not be included in the repopulation plan because some streets are still non-existant or covered with sand, and utilities – including natural gas meters and water mains – are still not repaired in some areas of the neighborhood.
No date was given as to when that neighborhood may be ready for repopulation.
For Acropolis, the repopulation plan is a major step for the entire area.
"Growing up here at the Shore, one of the things you do is, you get in your car and take a ride," he said. "And when you get in your car to take a ride, you go to the beach."
they can do that
4:06 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Will route 35 be open from bay head to seaside park?
Daniel Nee
4:18 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
It will be open from the Mantoloking Bridge through Seaside Heights, under this plan. Bay Head, Seaside Park and South Seaside Park (Berkeley Township) are separate municipalities and must determine their own access plans.
Patricia A. Miller
6:53 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Seaside Park, South Seaside Park and the Berkeley Township section were opened earlier this week to residents.
MP Flood
4:13 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Guy on left is a joke and a half
Doug Bennett
9:51 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Kelaher has been a bag boy for the machine his whole life. He's so stupid it takes him 3 hours to watch 60 Minutes. Totally incompetent, incapable of doing the simplest thing or accomplishing the easiest task. Just a yes man to the boss.
mjmjr
4:17 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
THIS WHOLE COUNTY IS A JOKE,THEY DID NOTHING FOR THE PEOPLE.VOTE THEM ALL OUT.
Art Sholty
10:50 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
@mjmjr
Perhaps you would like to be in control of this situation. Give us your thoughts and how to remedy the situation. You happen to be living in the "Jewel of South Jersey."
I really would like to hear how somebody who thinks the way you do, could ever help matters by telling intelligent voters how to vote. Come-on-now, let us know how smart you really are. Exactly what have you heard from your mind lately? Tell us where it hurts.
Ben
4:24 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
We live in Green Island. Can anyone tell us why in the world our street was impassable this morning and why the water was up to our back door? Reason I am asking. That storm was nothing last night, been thru many, many of those while we lived here going on 20 years. What is going on. What in the heck is going to happen if we get a few big storms?
Suzanne
4:47 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
My husband made a good point. The storm drains are all clogged. The water can't drain. Anything other than a high 4 wheel drive didn't get out. They need to clean out the drains. The tide was high but not that high.
Ortley Joe
11:50 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
The reason is the same reason that Ortley sustained so much damage the people in charge never maintained or upgraded the storm sewer systems and they are antiquated and designed for the 1950's
1stcav
4:35 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
YOU have no more protection since Sandy, areas that NEVER flooded are now the norm !!! Wait till you get your new tax bills and what it will NOW cost for flood Insurance.Only the rich will once again have beach front properties.....average Joe is NOW out in the cold !!!! But you will be able to get to bars and the beach for a price $$$$ Just can't live there anymore.....
butch cassidy
6:31 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
i really want to raise my house the 3ft but its a big expense and probably not as easy as it sounds...anyone ever do that? today scared me
Patricia A. Miller
6:55 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Jenny Jones,
Was your house damaged during Sandy? Do you have flood insurance? If it was more than 50 percent damaged, you qualify for ICC (Increased Cost of Compensation) funds, up to $30,000 to raise your house. What town do you live in?
Ryan Meyers
11:43 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
I can't wait to see the cost for the cops that sat on the island.
No namer
9:29 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Ryan.... The police depts that had police on the island are regular duty officers. Any over time caused will be refunded by FEMA . Thanks !!!
Pat S.
4:53 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Will someone please find out on what planet Mayor Kelaher has been recently? This week he announced that all of Pelican Island residents could "repopulate" the area and they were the first Toms River residents allowed to do so. Later it was announced that the info pertained to the Berkeley Township section; the TR section still didn't have all utilities restored. Now he's saying that the Toms River sections of the barrier island will be open for residents to repopulate(of course this doesn't include Ortley!) and residents are able to make their own decisions about whether to move in or not. Who can believe a word that comes out of his mouth anymore?We in Ortley are left hanging at the whim of Toms River; when will this stop and real decisions be made about our future?!?
butch cassidy
6:36 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
what a shame you all have gone thru enough already! too bad you are part of toms river, i am sick of this towns treatment of important issues ,yet a stupid bubble gets rebuilt and new stores get turned away...
Doug Bennett
9:59 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Kelaher is nothing but a a bag boy for the machine. He's the dimmest bulb in the pack of really dim bulbs in Ocean County who are all a product of a county run by a boss and a machine. The Party just ran the sheriff for reelection. A sheriff who everyone knew was as good as dead...and he died before being sworn in to a new term. Now we get to appoint a new sheriff/bag boy for the boss and then have a special election to fill an office that was already empty for all intents and purposes at what cost? Money that could be spent on fixing things, rebuilding dunes and getting people in to their houses sooner.
Ajv
5:09 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Buy the looter a beer
butch cassidy
6:37 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
exactly!! let the looting begin
brick strong
5:14 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
When donkeys fly ???
MarieY Lepis
5:37 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
How will Ortley Beach be protected from looters?
Art Sholty
10:54 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Stay home and inform your kids also
MarieY Lepis
5:36 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
How will Ortley Beach be protected from looters?
Daniel Nee
7:39 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
There may still be certain checkpoints in that area, and both towns will have increased police patrols.
Art Sholty
10:56 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Did you ever hear of a GUN?
Ajv
6:10 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Buy the looter a six pack oh yeah
Ajv
6:56 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
We've been over in ortley drink almost every night, only saw two looters and one offered us a shot of whiskey from bottle he was carrying
Cindy L Ciemnecki
9:10 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Has anyone checked the depth of the Barnegat lately? With all the sand moving around because of the wind and the surge, the bay may be shallower and the water has to go somewhere. Water isn't evaporating either right now
MP Flood
9:48 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
See ya all on the 26th
Pat S.
10:07 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
I was told that there is a meeting of some sort on the 26th. Can you please give me the scoop on it?
Patti K
10:44 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Why is it they can rebuild a bridge, pave 2 new highways and replenish the land and beach in Mantoloking but not one improvement to the roads in Ortley in two months! This is sickening. Sporadic access makes it impossible for anyone to get anything accomplished. Eveyday brings more questions than answers. WE NEED HELP!!
Ortley Joe
11:58 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Because they have to spend the money on mainland Toms River Ortley was only the CASH COW and now it is not producing
Pat S.
10:58 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Patti, you are absolutely on the mark. Every other place has made progress but Ortley seems to be at a standstill. We get NO information from Toms River, except when we are "allowed" to access our homes.
Mark
12:30 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Other than hire a company to dump some sand on some sections of the beach & a company to remove trash, Toms River Township has done ZERO to restore the infrastructure of Ortley Beach. They do not have a short tern or long term plan. When will bids go out for the boardwalk replacement? Will Ocean Ave be rebuilt? Good questions unfortunately our political hack have no clue.
We have to start a movement via the Property Owners Association to secede from this joke of a Government. Bay Beach Way did it in 2009, Westmont Shores in 1973 and West Point Island in 1973!
Maria Galullo
1:59 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
We're wth you ....when is the next meeting ? How was Bay Beach Way able to secede in 2009 and Ortley wasn't?
Ortley Joe
3:43 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
What do you mean done nothing to restore? They now put a Garbage dump on 8th ave. to let us remember when there was a sewerage treatment plant there all Ortley is good for is dumping crap on for Toms River
taxed-out-the-wazoo
5:06 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
My recollection is that some members in the association and its board, in 2009, were not on board. Many members left as a result. There are splinter groups/associations that formed....this may be right up their alley.
brickman
2:02 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
There you go with your nose in toms river again steven!
John Q
7:32 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
This looter thing is strange to me. There are rarely police on the island durning the winter months. If anybody wanted to loot the winter months have always been empty. There is more protection now then we ever have.
Ortley Joe
12:01 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
What are they protecting EVERYTHING that was in my house was left on the curb for the garbage man to take. Nothing left to loot!
Michelle Blamble
8:11 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012
Ortley Joe - there is still the copper pipe in your house!
Ajv
7:34 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Oh yeah we hav been up drinking in Ort all nite. Oh yeah !!
Ajv
8:18 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Still seeing looters
impeach1
8:25 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Looters? Looting what? A couch full of water and a tv that was submerged? Get real. There is nothing to loot. Fool.
Patti K
8:37 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Looters: please feel free to take anything from my Ortley home. It will save me a lot of time, effort and money if you would also take the walls and floors with you. Apparently you have better access than I do.
Debbie Bury
8:40 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Let the looters take all the garbage they want in ortley they can use the help
Ajv
9:00 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
They r taking copper
fed up
10:06 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
I'm sure they are @ almost $3.60 lb.
Dainty
7:44 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
IF you need help clearing your home, please reach out! We go to Ortley every Thursday and Friday as volunteers! We call ourselves, “Weekday Warriors”. We have been clearing out homes for people in need. Most volunteers from the original SurfRiders volunteers! They were our original motivation. We are tying to get every home cleaned and cleared, one home at a time!
Please join us! While yes, it is hard work, it is such a rewarding day. We have been clearing out homes of furniture, cabinets, sand, rugs, sheet rock and wood floors. Naturally, working as a team, a lot easier and faster! You are truly helping folks that are exhausted and overwhelmed! We work hard but we do share a few laughs!
Please bring lunch. Dress in layers, as it may feel cold but as we start working, it gets warm, fast! Good, strong work boots! Old ones even better! Good work gloves, or I can supply them. Goggles, if you have them. If you have good masks please bring them. I have masks as well to share. Tools: crowbars for floors, (or whatever works best : ) small sledgehammers for walls (or whatever works best : ) I can get shovels and wheel barrels once we are in Ortley. I will bring a case of water.
We start going over at 9 and we are off the Island by 3. There are port a potty’s now!
I have permits so drag : ) or bring a friend!
Thank you and see you!*
Joan*
on Facebook: Sandy - Weekday Warriors
Mike Maher
10:30 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Access to Toms River/Monterey Beach area denied to me Friday at Ortley avenue check-point, after driving 2 hours to get there. TRPD closed to all around 9:30AM without any notice or updates. Contractor in front of me was allowed to go. I understand flooding and the tide issues on rt35. The bay has been flooding on the southbound side as long as I can remember, but the mayor and chief still don't know that the water in the bay rises a couple of hours A F T E R high tide and more so after a storm. It will flood again tomorrow, this is a natural occurrence.
They want us to rebuild but deny us access.
THE LONGER WE DELAY - THE WORSE IT GETS. Residents of the Barrier Island KNOW what to do!!!
Let us in so we can do it!!!
Anybody have any thoughts on breaking off from local governments and forming a new town or joining Lavallette. They seem to know what they are doing.
Mike Maher - Monterey Beach
Mark
7:13 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
Mike, The "Sand Police" are overstepping their statutory powers by denying homeowners access to their properties. They are getting too comfortable in doing this. I'm very surprised d that no-one has gone to court over this blatant abuse of authority!
MP Flood
6:22 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
right,just looking to get my parents out of hotel room.There is No F***ing Reason.Sewer pumps are pumping,Gas mains all set,House passed electric inspector,cheese steaks for sale,Join me on the 26 th,for if we dont walk on city hall.Who are we,really?
1stcav
10:29 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012
THEY are protecting themselves from lawsuits , it's called cover your a$$ from Boss Hog..... death do to giving a homeowner access and they in-turn do the unthinkable & die on THERE watch....TR has no clue how to handle this beach community, except to send them their tax & sewer bills in a timely fashion..Please make sure you have a mail box constructed so you CAN be billed...Thanks TR...NOT !