Minutes of the Membership Meeting, Loveladies Property Owners Association
June 08, 2008

The spring meeting of the Association was held on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at the Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies. President, Roger Smith, called the meeting to order at 11:10 AM.

•President Roger Smith welcomed all members, introduced the officers and trustees, and thanked the hostesses for their help at the welcome table. He commented on the passing of Bob Null, long-time officer and trustee of the LPOA. President Smith then called for a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.

•Barbara Nemroff, Membership Chair, reported that 605 families have joined the Association to date for 2008. This includes 20 new households, 33 households who were members previously but not last year, and 552 who were members last year and have rejoined. With 949 total households in Loveladies this equates to 63.8%.

•Bob Monaco, Treasurer, gave a report of the Association’s financial position. Net worth stood at $42,319 including a checking balance of $15,319 plus a $27,000 CD for emergency use. Attached is an expense report showing total income to date of $15,575 and expenses to date of $8,751 for a net worth of $39, 965. The report includes checks that were written at the meeting after the Treasurer’s report was given.

•Doreen Greenberg presented the Island Blue Pages, a 72 page, 12 chapter book that is a guide to protecting the waters surrounding LBI. The book was developed by a science committee of the LBI Foundation led by John and Nancy Petralia. Doreen was a contributing member of the committee. The goal is to provide at least one copy to all full time residents of LBI. Attending members received a copy of the free guide. The LPOA made a donation of $100 to help defray the cost of the book.

•President Roger Smith introduced the three LBT Commissioners.
•Mayor Joe Mancini presented himself as the new Mayor of LBT responsible for Public Safety, Public Affairs and the Beach Patrol. He identified beach replenishment, property taxes and school consolidation as the key issues facing his administration. He feels that the three commissioners will work very well together for the benefit of residents of the township. Joe is looking forward to the Meet the Mayor meeting which is scheduled for Saturday, August 9th at 10:00 AM, a change to the earlier schedule.

•Commissioner Ralph Bayard who is responsible for Public Works and the Water Department informed the group that water bills will be mailed this week Included with the bill is a copy of the Township water ordinance which he asked all to obey. The recent nor’easter devastated many of the Township beaches but Public Works was able to have them open for Memorial Day weekend. Dune fencing that was washed away by the storm will not be replaced until after the summer season. Public Works is placing new containers with lids on the beaches for recycle materials. LBT hopes to purchase seven roll-off containers for delivering recycled material instead of leasing them from Waste Management which will save money in the long run. Ralph mentioned the new paper recycling procedure that allows comingling of newspapers, junk mail and cardboard. When asked if water meters are going to be required by the Township Ralph answered that only new construction is required to have a meter installed.

•Commissioner DiAnne Gove who is responsible for Revenue and Finance, Community Affairs and the Health Department reported municipality taxes will not increase this year. The Township is working with a new finance planning company in an effort to get more return on their money. She told attendees that her door is always open and to call her anytime with questions. DiAnne mentioned two scheduled events, the “Waterfest” on Wednesday, August 6th, at the park across from the Borough Hall and the July 24th concert, picnic and art show at the ball park in front of Borough Hall.

•Roland Dixon, Harbor Master for the Loveladies Harbor Organization reminded boaters in our audience that the law requires anyone born in 1949 or later must posses a Boating Safety Certificate (BSC) by June 1, 2008. By June 1, 2009 anyone operating a boat must have a BSC. All operators of a Personal Water Craft (Jet-Ski) must have a BSC and the minimum age to operate a power vessel is 16.

•Guest Speaker: Bob Monaco introduced Bill Knarre, President of the Joint Council of Taxpayers (JCT) who spoke to the group about a number of issues facing LBI. Bill mentioned that several members of LPOA are active in the JCT, specifically Joan Dixon who is the past President, Trish Monaco who is the current Secretary, Ken Martell and Bob Monaco who are working on the School Finance Committee. The JCT represents 13 taxpayer organizations on LBI which represents between 5 and 5.5 thousand families. The JCT works with the Township on issues that impact our quality of life and works to keep people informed and educated on the issues.

Bill described the two elementary school districts on LBI. One is the LBI Consolidate district with 2 schools, in Surf City and Ship Bottom with some 270 students and the other is the Beach Haven district with 1 school and 55-60 students. Public Law 2007 was legislated last year that created an Executive Superintendant of Schools in each county. Reporting to the State Commissioner of Education, the Executive Superintendant is charged with consolidation of schools K-12 where stand alone elementary or high school districts exist. This could mean the consolidation of the 2 LBI elementary districts along with Stafford’s elementary districts along with the Southern Regional High School (SRHS) district to create one K thru 12 regional district. This could have a major negative impact on LBI residents under the current school tax agreement. Rather than paying 80% of just the high school budget, our taxes could be used to pay 80% of the elementary school budget as well. This could mean an additional $19 million in taxes. This year the JCT hosted a public budget presentation by the SRHS and the LBI consolidated school superintendants. Next year they will do the same but try to make it earlier in the year. These are the budgets that are voted on each year by LBI voting residents. In other school news, the SRHS has established a Foundation to raise money for the school that would supplement tax monies. The idea is to reach out to alumni and other organizations to raise money for school expenses in hopes to keep budgets down.

Regarding beach replenishment, the wording of the easement remains an issue. One candidate for Jim Saxton’s house seat, John Adler, is reportedly proposing legislation to eliminate the word perpetuity from the easement. To date there has been no legislation reported to that end.

At the end of last year the JCT was asked by LBI mayors to testify against the proposed DEP rules at a public meeting at Stockton College. Several Mayors and the JCT spoke out at the meeting but no real changes resulted. The DEP has reportedly relaxed some of their rules but nothing has been published to date. Regarding munitions on the beach in Surf City, the JCT wrote letters to the Mayors, Governor and Congressmen expressing their concern for public safety. After the latest nor’easter, munitions were found in the surf which has created additional concerns. The Army Corp of Engineers has agreed to search the entire impacted area for munitions out of their budget.

The feasibility study for the Bridge Project has been delayed until 2011 which moves back construction even further. The JCT has written to Kris Kolluri, Commissioner of Transportation, that the people of LBI won’t stand for the delay and want action. There are several projects requiring more state budget dollars that are moving forward.

In addition to consolidation of schools, PL 2007 also calls for the consolidation of services within municipalities and even the consolidation of municipalities in some cases. Obviously this is easy to say and difficult to do. With the goal of saving tax dollars, the Township is forming committees with 7-8 members each. One idea is a single garbage contract for the entire island instead of separate contracts for each municipality. Another idea would be the consolidation of all beaches on the island under one beach patrol with one island-wide beach badge. LBT is the first municipality to set up committees. Jobs could be eliminated over time through attrition. Bill used the example of the LBI Health Department that reports into LBT but services the entire island. Each municipality contributes to the operation of the department based upon an acceptable formula, i.e. percentage of households or population. As a result LBI residents are provided with flu shots and animal inoculations as well as a host of other services.

Finally, the JCT is supporting a gala celebration of the 150th birthday of the Barnegat Lighthouse. He urged all members to participate in the event which will take place in October and is sponsored by the Friends of Barnegat Light. More details will be available as the date approaches.

•A motion to end the meeting was made, seconded and carried at 12:08 PM. Following the meeting members and guests enjoyed a delicious brunch catered by Sweet Vidalia.

Respectfully submitted,


Eldon Hickerson, Secretary