Politics & Government

Belmar Council Rescinds $7.1 Million Pavilion Ordinance

A trio of local ordinances related to the construction of a pair of boardwalk pavilions easily passed in votes of the Borough Council Thursday.

A vote to introduce a bond ordinance for the cost of the 10th Avenue pavilion – a $1,970,000 ordinance that borrows $1,871,500 for the pavilion construction -- passed by a vote of 4-1. Councilman Jim Bean cast the sole vote against.

The second bond ordinance also passed by the same tally -- this one to cover the cost of replacing Taylor Pavilion at 5th Avenue. Bean also cast the sole vote against the measure.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The measure is a $5,030,000 ordinance that borrows $4,778,500 for the construction. Doherty said the amount represents engineering estimates, not an exact price of the new plans, which are still in the works.

Bean, in an email Friday, said he voted against the measures because he thought the introduction violated court orders handed down by Superior Court Judge Lawrence Lawson in regard to a suit brought by a citizens' group to halt the boardwalk plans.

"I voted no because I thought we were violating Judge Lawson's stay order," Bean said. "I feel this is important because I am in favor of the pavilions being rebuilt and would have voted yes without this lawsuit."

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A third ordinance, which rescinded the $7.1 million ordinance previously adopted by the council in September to fund the construction of the pavilions, was passed unanimously.

Doherty has remained steadfast to earlier statements that borough taxes would not be raised to pay for the pavilion construction.

“We have not had a tax increase in three years,’’ Doherty has said. “And we’re committed to not having one again next year.’’

The measures are the latest in an ongoing drama over the pavilion plans, which have been scaled back twice since they were unveiled earlier this year. The plans also are the subject of three lawsuits brought by a citizens’ group, which were ruled on by  Lawson two weeks ago.

Lawson issued orders preventing the borough from taking a $375,000 down payment for the pavilion construction out of the town’s Beach Utility money or using any of its $485,000 flood insurance claim money to forward the pavilion construction plans.

Lawson also said the borough may not raise beach fees to pay for the construction and called for a Dec. 11 conference between the borough and the Let The Citizens Decide group, which brought the lawsuits.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here