Beach HQ Bond Passes

Despite the protests of one member, the Manasquan borough council voted to approve a $1.6 million bond for improvements to the borough's aging beachfront headquarters building.

Republican Councilwoman Patricia Connolly, the GOP candidate for mayor in November's election, continued her criticism of the project this week, calling it "bad management."

Connolly's main criticism was over the beach committee's decision to use local architect Chris Rice for the concept design rather than go to bid and for not considering renovation as an option.

While awaiting word from the borough's joint insurance fund representatives, Borough Administrator Joseph DeIorio sought the input of an expert from outside of the borough.

DeIorio enlisted the assistance of Mike Melango, a general contractor from DeIorio's hometown of Roselle Park, who is also a state-licensed home inspector and construction code official.

In a report prepared by Melango and presented to council by DeIorio, Melango points to a number of concerns with the existing structure including a moisture damaged and undersized foundation and many "handyman style" repairs.

The 60-year-old structure is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Melango reported, also noting that the building appears to bowing as the first floor cannot handle the weight of the second. 

Melango recommended removing the structure entirely and beginning new.

Unsatisfied by the inspector's report, Connolly continued to assail the project.

"I am concerned about the transparency issue," she said, characterizing the planning and decision making on the issue as done secretly and without her knowledge.

Councilman Jeff Lee, chair of the borough's beach committee, disagreed strongly, pointing to minutes from numerous meetings throughout the year when the project was discussed.

"I get the feeling that this is so much political," Lee said of Connolly's stance on the beach headquarters. 

"The beach is very fiscally conservative in their projects," Lee continued. "I can assure you the planning mechanism is well in place."

Lee went on to reiterate that the project will be paid for entirely from the borough's beach utility, which is funded by parking and beach badge sales, not through property tax dollars.

The beach utility recently finished paying off a beachfront improvement project dating back to 2001. While the borough will have 10 years to repay the bond, DeIorio's plan would have it paid in four years or less. 

The $1.6 million in the adopted ordinance is anticipatory. The borough will not know the final cost of the improvements until a bid is drawn up, though supporters of the project on the government body felt it was likely that it may come in well under cost.