Submitted by Belmar’s own version of the Venerable Bede:
January 3, 2013
Mayor introduces Resolution 2013-27 appointing Special Boardwalk Buildings Advisory Committee. Bean votes NO, stating members are all mayor’s supporters and not representational of Belmar residents.
January 16,2013
Mayor introduces Resolution 2013-32 recommending the planning board review beachfront as an area in need of redevelopment. Bean votes NO.
April 3,2013
Beachfront designated for redevelopment.
May, 2013
Advisory Committee unveils design and plans for 4 beachfront buildings. Three of them are proposed to be two story buildings with elevators: 5th Ave. ( Taylor), 8th Ave (with showers, changing rooms, concessions and miniature golf on the rooftop), and 10th Ave. (public safety building with watchtower). No plans are made about the 13th Ave pavilion. Mayor will not say if 13th pavilion will have additional liquor licenses. Very few residents approve of plans.
May 18, 2013
Henry Grau and Steve Edelman file a lawsuit challenging redevelopment designation in Monmouth Superior Court, Judge Lawrence Lawson presiding.
August 7,2013
Voters present petition to mayor to put proposed design and use of the buildings on the ballot for a vote.
Mayor introduces $7.5 million bond Ordinance 2013-15 to fund a two story 5th Ave (Taylor) and the 10th Ave. (safety) building. Bean Votes NO.
September, 2013
Second petition by voters to put the $7.5 million bond on ballot.
Nov. 21, 2013
Mayor passes ordinance to cancel $ 7.5 million bond and introduces two new bonds for boardwalk buildings. Bond Ordinance 2013-20: $5,030,000 for all of 10th Ave. and part of Taylor and 2013-21: $1,970,000 for the balance of Taylor that he thinks can’t legally be paid by the beach utility. Taylor changed to be only one story. Total of the two Bonds is $7 million. Borough Administrator states that we saved $1 million by making Taylor a single story.
She said that construction estimates on 10th Ave. were not accurate and that the building would cost an additional $500,000 more. Bean votes NO.
Dec. 11, 2013
Mayor introduces ordinance to cancel bond ordinances 2013-20 and 21
February 18, 2014
Mayor amends existing Finance Ordinance to limit qualified bidders to companies with labor apprenticeship programs for unions. Bean votes NO.
March 20,2014
Borough applies to Local Finance Board for a waiver of down payment on $7 million bond.
Maser Consulting estimate shows: $3,195,0000 to construct 5th Ave. (Taylor) and $1,698,000 to construct 10th Ave. (safety). Also shows Maser’s fees for “engineering” to be $1,035,501.00 or 21% of the cost to construct the two buildings.
April 7, 2013
Mayor introduces Boardwalk Buildings Bond Ordinance 2014-07 for 5th and 10th Ave.
Bond amount: $7,000,000. Bean votes NO.
May 6, 2014
Bond Ordinance 2014-07 passes and is adopted.
May 7, 2014
Judge Lawson rules against Belmar and the redevelopment designation of the beachfront.
May 27,2014
Voters submit third voter petition to put the $7 million bond on the ballot.
9 Comments
This review, while accurate, makes it appear that Councilman Jim Bean is against building the new ‘Taylor’ pavilion and the 10th Avenue public safety pavilion. Both the administrator and I know that is not the case. Councilman Bean, like most in Belmar, including myself and most of those signing the petitions, do want both of these pavilions built. What we also want is a clear presentation of the designs and the costs of each of the pavilions separately.
The shame of this whole thing is; that because of the way the administration tried to bulldoze this project, and shove it down the taxpayers throat it has been unable to be completed in what most feel to be a timely manner. So what I am really saying is don’t blame Jim Bean that there are not pavilions under construction, blame the process that the current Doherty administration chose to foist upon us.
The person who submitted this to me agrees with Bean’s no votes and also wants the pavilions built, but at a reasonable and fully explained cost.
I look at the whole fiasco as three council representatives so eager to please the Mayor but not really being involved. Bean asked the important questions and basically used his vote to
bring attention to real concerns. There was no transparency, even now ,it looks like we are throwing money away. Personally I am still upset with 2 million dollars in change orders for a 9 million dollar boardwalk and can anticipate a repeat of this.
Belmar was just voted “The Best Beach in Central Jersey”!
Without Pavilions!
What’s the big deal about spending another 7 million.
Our Mayor claims there is no cost to the taxpayers. I wish I had his bookkeeper doing my budget. No matter what he bonds for there is no cost to the taxpayer. Life is good.
As I recall the article Belmar was voted the 6th best beach in the poll. Our mayor announced it was 6th best beach in central Jersey. Our visitors are grumbling so we must be doing something right.
According to an article on page 36 of The Coast Star, dated May 29, 2014, “Belmar was voted the No. 1 beach in Central Jersey and the No. 6 best beach in New Jersey…”
Forgive my being so excited thinking the Mayor made an error. I hope it never happens again. I hope we do not all read the same papers. Mia Culpa.
Terry, you’re waiting to long to comment. People only read the comments on posts made in the last day or two.
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