FAIR HAVEN: FALLING TREE CRUSHES ROOF
A backyard tree that fell on a one-story house at 14 Katherine Street in Fair Haven early Wednesday caused no injuries, but crushed the roof, causing extensive damage.
SEA BRIGHT: IDEAS SOUGHT FOR PARK SITE
What should become of Anchorage Park, the 1.2-acre sliver of riverside land at the foot of the Route 520 bridge in Sea Bright?
Acquired by the borough after Hurricane Sandy left the Anchorage Apartments uninhabitable in 2012, the now-vacant site may be eligible for grant money. But first, borough officials are asking for public input: should it be developed, along the lines of the concept shown above? Planted with grass and left at that?
A public discussion of the matter has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at borough hall. The regular council meeting will follow at 7 p.m. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
SEA BRIGHT: APARTMENTS RAZED FOR PARK
Sea Bright’s Anchorage Apartments, left uninhabitable by the converging waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Shrewsbury River in Hurricane Sandy, were demolished Saturday. Using Green Acres funding, the state plans to buy the complex, at the anchorage of the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge, and turn it into a 1.2-acre park. At right: during the October, 2012 hurricane, a utility pole became lodged in one of the first-floor units. (Photo above by Kenny Katzgrau. Click to enlarge)
RED BANK: PARK GETS ANTI-SKATE TOUCHES
In a move to thwart damage by skaters and skateboarders, new alternating-level caps have replaced flat ones on walls throughout Riverside Gardens Park in Red Bank.
Work underway at the park also includes the reconstruction of the promenade overlooking our beautiful Navesink River and the rebuilding of retaining wall that collapsed in 2013. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
RED BANK: DOMINO’S ALLEGES WORKER THEFTS
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of December 18, 2013 to January 09, 2014. This information is unedited.
CRIMES:
12-21-13 A report of criminal mischief at 261 S Pearl St. Victim reported that the front door was damaged. Ptlm Quispe investigated
12-18-13 report of a theft from 283 Spring St. Victim reported that his phone was taken from laundry room Ptlw. Dawn Shields investigated
12-21-13 report of theft from 3 Broad St. Victim reports his Pea coat jacket valued at $659. was stolen. Sgt. Frank Bitsko investigated.
12-23-13 a report of theft at 301 Spring St. Homeowner stated that $5000.00 in jewelry was taken. Ptlw. Dawn Shields investigated
RED BANK CRIME AND ARREST REPORTS
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of January 9 to January 16, 2014. This information is unedited.
CRIMES:
Criminal Mischief occurring on 1-10-14 at 122 Riverside Ave. Victim reported that unknown person(s) smashed rear window of parked vehicle. Lt. Michael Clay.
Theft occurring on 1-11-14 at 33 Broad St.—restaurant. Victim reported that his raincoat containing vehicle keys was stolen by unknown person(s). Ptl. Stanley Balmer.
Theft occurring on 1-15-14 at 18 Wallace St. Cigar Shop. Victim reported that unknown person(s) stole an antique large clay ashtray from stand outside of business. Ptl. Dawn
Shields.
SEA BRIGHT LIBRARY RAZING SPARKS DEBATE
On Sunday, a backhoe sat on the slab where the library had stood until it was demolished a day earlier. Below, an architect’s rendering of a proposed combination library and bathing pavilion. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
In 2011, when concept plans for a remodeled Sea Bright municipal parking lot were drawn up, town officials assured residents that the library building had been left off by accident. It’s not going to be torn down, they said.
Last June, when the council approved spending $70,000 to repair damage to the structure caused by Hurricane Sandy seven months earlier, the action was touted on the borough government’s Resource Center website under the headline, “Sea Bright Library to be Rebuilt.”
But last month, the borough council abruptly reversed course, deciding the library had to go. And on Saturday, the building was hastily demolished, blindsiding supporters who were racing to save it and triggering a debate on social media about the significance of the simple frame structure.
RED BANK POLICE REPORTS
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of December 5 to December 12, 2013. This information is unedited.
CRIMES:
Criminal Mischief reported between 12-5-13 and 12-7-13 at Arthur Place. Victim reported that unknown subject(s) punctured his left rear driver’s side tire on parked vehicle. Ptl. David Smith.
ARRESTS:
Daniel Costello, age 35 male of Long Branch was arrested on 12-12-13 in the area of Washington St. for DWI by Ptl. Matthew Ehrenreich.
RED BANK: LANDMARK TOOTH ATTACKED AGAIN
The sign has been the target of repeated thefts and acts of vandalism. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
For the sixth time in 20 years, Red Bank dentist Harry Mahoney is gritting his teeth over the sign that advertises his practice at River Road and Prospect Avenue.
The sign, in the shape of a healthy molar, was busted in half early Sunday, Mahoney tells redbankgreen.
RED BANK: PARKED CAR SANDBAGGED
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of October 17 to October 24, 2013. This information is unedited.
CRIMES:
Theft occurring at Bridge Ave. on 10-17-13. Victim reported that unknown person(s) smashed her car window with brick and stole a laptop, a black day planner and a $150.00 Verizon Wireless air card from parked vehicle. Ptl. Paul Perez.
Criminal Mischief occurring on 10-18-13 at Broad St.—Church. Victim reported that unknown subject(s) broke door of garage, which is on property of Church. Ptl. Ashon Lovick.
SEA BRIGHT: FOCUS ON STALLED BUSINESSES
A volunteer group wants to help owners of vacant stores spruce up their properties. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By SARAH KLEPNER
A group of Sea Bright residents is asking the borough to reach out to businesses that have stalled in the post-Sandy recovery process.
With a campaign for sand replenishment, a fundraiser to replace lost beach equipment, an open-house on recovery construction and more efforts already under its belt, Seabrighters Embracing Action a community group that formed in February to help the town and each other recover from Hurricane Sandy is now turning its attention to matters of appearance.
“We’re asking the town to enforce the codes when it comes to businesses that aren’t cleaning up,” SEA founder Heather Bedenko said Tuesday night after the bimonthly borough council meeting. Closed businesses “are like black eyes on the town. We have businesses opening up between two half-demolished places,” she said.
RED BANK: STEEPLE RISING
The cross atop St. James Church in Red Bank Catholic Church is back after six months of rehabilitation. Among other repairs, the replacement of the old cross, which was damaged by a violent wind storm, should be finished by September, said a church business manager Veronica Alexander. (Photos by Dan Natale. Click to enlarge)
RED BANK: PARTIAL WALL COLLAPSE IN PARK
The brick fascia of a retaining wall at Riverside Gardens Park in Red Bank collapsed recently during a heavy rainstorm, eight months after it was undermined by Hurricane Sandy, public works director Gary Watson tells redbankgreen. His department is awaiting borough funding to repair the wall, which is structurally sound, Watson said. “It’s completely cosmetic,” he said of the damage.
Additional fixes to address runoff from the park may also be needed, he says. (Click to enlarge)
SEA BRIGHT COVETS ANCHORAGE SITE
The Anchorage Apartments were left uninhabitable by Hurricane Sandy, which deposited a utility pole in the living room of one unit, below. (Click to enlarge)
The storm-wracked Anchorage Apartments complex in Sea Bright would become a beach parking lot under a plan being considered by state officials, the Star-Ledger reported Tuesday morning.
Located on Ocean Avenue at the foot of the Route 520 Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge and mere feet from the Shrewsbury River, the single-building complex is seen as a partial solution to a parking shortage that has vexed efforts to open up North Beach oceanfront to visitors.
Razing the property would come at a tradeoff for the town: the loss of a $45,000-a-year tax ratable. But Mayor Dina Long tells the Sledger that’s alright.
SEA BRIGHT: A PARTIAL START TO SUMMER
Contractors swarming Chapel Beach Club in Sea Bright on Thursday. Below, a lifeguard boat at the ready at Surfider Beach Club. (Photos by Wil Fulton. Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
Seven months after Hurricane Sandy slammed ashore, Sea Bright enters the summer of 2013 far from fully recovered, with many buildings and storefronts still boarded up or demolished.
But there is ample evidence of rebuilding, and hope in the air, as the weather warms and more and more people begin to show up at the shore community.
For all our losses, we managed to keep our customers, said Frank Bain, owner of Bains Hardware, one of the first businesses on Ocean Avenue to reopen after the hurricane. Business has been steady since we opened our doors. Its safe to say the shop is back to normal. Were here, and were ready for the upcoming season.
SEA BRIGHT: TENTS AND TRAILERS
Look Back Antiques is seeking permission to do business on the town’s tiny boardwalk on weekends this summer. (Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
Sea Bright business owners struggling to reopen their stores damaged by Hurricane Sandy will be allowed to operate from mobile trailers under a measure approved by the borough council this week.
And one merchant is angling for permission to sell her wares from a tent on the town’s tiny boardwalk on weekends this summer.
RED BANK: SHOWING SMOKERS THE DOOR
Amy Manor is closing off the vestibule to her design studio, above, because of damage she said has been done by nighttime smokers. Below, Manor with cigarette butts left behind the shop. (Photos by Dan Natale. Click to enlarge)
By DAN NATALE
Amy Manor is sick of blood, vomit, and broken windows.
She’s giving the vestibule of her eponymous Red Bank interior design studio, at 4B West Front Street, a makeover in reaction to damage that she says patrons of local bars have repeatedly inflicted.
At a cost of about $12,000, Manor is enclosing the vestibule.
The small cubby in front of the shop received particular abuse because of its ability to provide shelter to patrons of nearby bars. Partygoers have been known to huddle in the space during the winter to shield themselves, and their cigarettes, from the harsh elements.
Naturally, trouble ensued.
SEA BRIGHT: DCA’S NUMBERS COME UP SHORT
A Sea Bright home as seen from the sea wall five days after Hurricane Sandy. Borough officials contend the number of severely damaged homes is being underestimated by a state agency. (Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
Six months after Hurricane Sandy walloped the region, Sea Bright officials find themselves in a disagreement with a state agency over the financial impact of the storm.
The dispute, centered on newly released New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)s data on the extent of storm destruction in town, was one of a handful of post-Sandy issues that dominated Tuesday nights council meeting.
The DCA released some numbers that gave statistics from Sea Bright, Mayor Dina Long told the audience, and they said there were 574 homes with damage. Of those homes, 32 had major damage damage between $8,000 and $28,000; and 63 homes suffered severe damage over $28,000 worth of damage.
Based on where I live, and what it cost to fix even my own house, I really feel like these numbers are not reflecting an on-the-ground truth, she said.
SEA BRIGHT: OPERATION SHEETROCK TRIMMED
The rebuilding of a public access stairway over the sea wall is among the projects in the scaled-back volunteer outreach, says coordinator Frank Lawrence, below. (Photo below by Wil Fulton. Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
Last month, Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long offered college students an altruistic alternative to the traditional debauchery-laden spring break: come help residents hang wallboard and make other repairs to their storm-battered homes.
“Operation Sheetrock,” she dubbed it.
But with spring break now underway or rapidly approaching, few residences are ready for wallboard hanging, and wont be for at least a few more weeks, according to borough volunteer coordinator Frank Lawrence.
So many homes dont have heat or electricity yet, Lawrence said, so a lot of the walls inside these houses are holding moisture. If we hang sheetrock over the walls right now, the moisture will be trapped inside, and when the weather warms up, mold will inevitably grow inside the walls. Its the perfect environment”
RED BANK: REFLOATING A LOBSTER SHACK
Kelly Ryan at her storm-damaged Red Bank restaurant on Tuesday. (Photo by Wil Fulton. Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
When people think of Sandys impact on Red Bank, most will say that the town didnt get it so bad,” says Kelly Ryan, owner of the Boondocks Fishery, a summer-only, open-air eatery that’s been serving lobsters and scallops adjacent to the Navesink River and Marine Park for the past four years. “But I guess they havent seen this place.
We came back here the day after the storm, and my first reaction was Oh my God, the building is still standing,'” she said. “But once we looked inside, we understood that even though the structure was still up, the insides were completely devastated.”
BOAT CLUB RECOVERING FROM SANDY
Monmouth Boat Club was inundated by the Navesink River hours before Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey, and the river rose several feet after this photo was taken. (Photo by Peter Lindner. Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
The home of the Monmouth Boat Club, a Red Bank building that has stood for more than 100 years, is tackling rebuilding post-Hurricane Sandy with a little help from the men who built the place.
This pine flooring here is the original flooring, Commodore Leigh ‘Skip’ Bugbee told redbankgreen during a tour of storied Navesink River clubhouse, which was built in 1895 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Whats amazing is that, because theres no subflooring to it, it can basically withstand any amount of water and let it freely flow back out to the river.”
Even the buckling that was caused will be set back to normal once the heat is turned back on, he said.
“The guys who put it in here really knew what they were doing,” Bugbee said. “We owe them a big thank you.”
RUMSON: MARINA RESURFACING AFTER STORM
Life was returning to normal at the Rumson marina on Tuesday, though a new $3 million Viking that was swept from the lot remained half-sunk on the Middletown side of the Navesink, below. (Photo above by Wil Fulton. Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
More than two weeks after Hurricane Sandy, Oceanic Marina owner Pete Pawlikowski is still trying to restore his ravaged Rumson business. redbankgreen was on the scene day the morning after the storm hit, and returned on Tuesday to check in on the rebuilding process.
Its mind-boggling, really, said Pawlikowski, sitting in his once-again operational office and store, which was submerged in over four and half feet of water just two weeks ago. Ive never seen so much devastation.
SEA BRIGHT RESIDENTS TO GET ACCESS TODAY
For the second time in four days, Sea Bright residents gathered in a stadium, this time in West Long Branch, to get updates on the storm cleanup Sunday. Below, Mayor Dina Long and Councilman James LoBiondo. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Sea Bright residents were to begin getting greater access to their homes Monday morning, town officials told them at another packed-grandstand meeting Sunday.
Though a massive cleanup and repair of public works infrastructure is proceeding more quickly than initially anticipated, “Sea Bright is not ready to be reoccupied,” Mayor Dina Long said at a townwide meeting held at Shore Regional High’s football field in West Long Branch.
Still, officials hope to allow unimpeded access to residents as early as Friday, said Councilman James LoBiondo, who has headed up the effort to cap leaking natural gas lines and remove hundreds of tons of sand from roadways.
SEA BRIGHT: THE MORNING AFTER
Woody’s Ocean Grille owner Chris Wood sent us these photos he took in Sea Bright at the first light Tuesday, just hours after Hurricane Sandy all but obliterated the town. From left: the demolished remnants of popular oceanfront bar Donovan’s Reef; Ocean Avenue looking north from downtown; and Ship Ahoy Beach Club. (Click to enlarge)
Town officials said Thursday that Sea Bright would be off-limits to residents and visitors for seven to ten days as crews work to halt natural gas leaks and inspect structures for safety. As for the 14-month-old Woody’s, the owner says the restaurant came through the storm and will be back.
STORM WIPES OUT RUMSON MARINA
The Oceanic Marina yard as it appeared early Tuesday, above, and on Saturday from the same spot. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
On Saturday, even as he braced for record flooding, Oceanic Marina owner Pete Pawlikowski thought he had the storm beat.
The Navesink River was sure to flood the store and office of his Rumson business, Pawlikowki told redbankgreen, and the level might even break the records.
But as for the fleet of 75 recreational vessels entrusted to him by customers at worst, he said, he might lose one or two to Hurricane Sandy. But all were safely up on blocks, he said, crowded so tightly into his yard that a person could barely squeeze past them.
By Tuesday morning, they were gone. And even after 30 years of watching storms come and go, a stunned Pawlikowski could hardly begin to comprehend it, he said.
“It’s total destruction,” he said. “We don’t even know where to begin.”
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