The parking lot in the foreground and adjacent river access are no longer under consideration for sale, Red Bank officials have confirmed.
A combination of public opposition and anemic support have forced Red Bank officials to drop a proposal to sell a riverside lot at the north end of Maple Avenue, Councilwoman Kathy Horgan tells redbankgreen.
“There will be no appraisal, and nobody’s getting paid for an appraisal,” Horgan says. “The property won’t be sold. It’s not going to happen.”
She says she conferred with Mayor Pasquale Menna on the matter today, and he agrees the issue is a dead one.
As first reported by redbankgreen, the sale idea was floated in a closed session of council as a possible way to plug a budget hole that threatens to drive up the local portion of property taxes by 20 percent later this year.
Opponents of the sale, led by Fair Haven resident and Red Bank property owner Cindy Burnham, had promised to pack a Q&A on the budget last night. But most of those who attended were municipal department heads who turned out to explain the operations they run and the rationales for their budget requests.
Otherwise, “I counted four people,” says borough CFO Frank Mason.
Burnham showed up, but before the session began, she learned from Horgan that the property wouldn’t be discussed because it’s not going to be sold after all. So she didn’t stick around.
“It was such a great night that I ran home, threw my kayak on my car and went over to Maple Ave. for a quick ride around the Navesink,” Burnham tells redbankgreen via email.
Horgan says the idea, floated by Menna, died because at least four members of the governing body were opposed to a sale: herself, fellow Democrat Sharon Lee, and Republicans John Curley and Grace Cangemi. They cited the need to preserve the last bit of direct river access in the borough as well as opposition to one-time budget fixes.
“The majority rules,” Horgan says. “We’re still a democracy.”
Thank you Kathy, Sharon, John & grace.
On behalf of myself and all the Red Bank Residents that came out to support the saving of this property, I would like to thank the council members who relized the importance of saving this property for the enjoyment of the people and for the generations to come, who will be able to enjoy this wonderful natural space.
John Curley, Grace Cangemi, Sharon Lee and Kathy Horgan, should all be commended for their stregenth in hoding true to there convictions : Preserving the only river front property on the east side of town that is accessable to the water for the enjoyment of the people, their respect for nature and their commitment to make Red Bank a better, greener place to live for the generations of Red Bankers yet to come. Thanks
Thanks go out to John Curley, Grace Cangemi,
Sharon Lee and Kathy Horgan for saving our last little waterfront jewel. It is nice that we get something instead of the developers for a change. But we must be sure that it doesn't happen later while our back is turned. We need to preseve that space as open space forever. And why was it "floated in a closed door session" behind our back? And why were Mayor Menna, councilmen Dupont and Murphy in favor of it? Maybe cause two of them are lawyers and the other a developer. Makes you think.
I think this turned out to be a positive experience for the community. We learned that we have an underutilized resource, and a fund that can be used for building a boat ramp. Our elected officials had an opportunity to hear how residents feel about the waterfront. Now that we are on the same page, we can discuss what to do with this lot next, if anything. I'm looking forward to hearing the Waterfront Committee's ideas.
some one should build condos on the site
You people can't be serious. An influx of cash, is a good thing no matter where it comes from and even if its a one time source. Sell , sell, sell, everything and anything to bring down my taxes. I think its great that yall want to have this piece of land for you and some other yuppies to go out on the water. How about using chris's landing or that little place just under the train tressel at west front st? How about going to fair haven or rumson, I know they all have ramps. What about the end of Chapin Ave? Why right there, why save it now? You guys didn't do anything when KHOV came to town and took the majority away and now you want to save this little piece of Red Bank. Absoluty amazing. Mr Mayor, and Mrs. Horgan SELL IT, I am not in the majority and I really don't think that this piece of land is worth saving. IDEA: Put all the money in to your parks that are on the river, (o thats right I forgot precious public access to view the navesink, Go to the two parks less than two blocks away, moron!) give the yuppies a ramp there ( Hey at least cindy finally won something, THEM FIRE HORNS ARE STILL BLARING, LOL)
Sell it for the exclusive purpose of being a bar. Propose that the buyer calls it "The Launch" The owner would have to agree to leave the launch open to the public.
I can sit on the deck, sip a beer, have some steamers and watch people take their boats in and out of the water. Everybody wins.
What is it going to cost to make it safe, to upkeep,insurance? All this for a few residents and some out of towners??? Nothing is for free and this will only add to our taxes!!! So Mr. Mayor and Council, sell it for all of us residents who do not care what other towns want us to pay for!
We have to many tax free properties in this town.Add this piece back and let Cindy float her Kayak in her OWN TOWN!!!!!!
Cindy for council? Fine with me if Fair haven will have her.
a bullet dodged, keep up the good work folks.
end note, one swan back so far.
Lets be real here, this land has nothing to do with lowering our town taxes; it has everything to do with a shady backdoor deal, some prime riverfront views, and potential overdevelopment. My guess is that after all is said and done, this land will end up being suspiciously sold at a discount price, developed by friends of friends, and the red bank public large will get screwed again by insiders.