Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Beach Haven council approves Amber Street ADA sidewalk with CDBG funds, defers Chatsworth viewing platform
Loading...
Summary
On Jan. 29, 2026 the Beach Haven Borough Council voted 5-0 to use the borough's 2026 Community Development Block Grant to fund a handicap-accessible sidewalk on the south side of Amber Street, while deferring a proposed Chatsworth viewing platform until DOT roadwork is complete.
On Jan. 29, 2026, the Beach Haven Borough Council voted to direct the borough's 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award to a handicap-accessible sidewalk on the south side of Amber Street, approving the motion by voice vote, 5-0.
The council debated a second candidate project: a viewing platform at the Bayside/Chatsworth Avenue end. Council member Jamie Sanderson, speaking via Zoom, said the borough faces a scheduling conundrum because, "the Department of Transportation has roadwork planned for the end of Chatsworth sometime in, like, probably 2027," and building a platform now could require dismantling or moving it when the roadwork occurs.
"Restoration of the dock not only honors the intent of past investments," Sanderson said, summarizing resident letters urging replacement, but she recommended caution because of the planned DOT work. Steve Letts, the borough's supervisor of public works (on Zoom), told the council he did not favor building the platform in two or three sections; instead, Letts said the borough could provide interim seating by installing vinyl benches and repairing the bulkhead, "Just won't have the platform until after the roadwork is complete."
A Zoom participant identifying themself as "Sean Crimmins in Susan Murphy, 316 Chatsworth Avenue" urged the council not to treat the platform as a large ramp, calling it "a tiny little thing" used by older residents for sitting, fishing and watching sunsets. The comment reinforced the community interest in replacing the platform but did not change the council's timing concerns.
Council member [motion recorded in minutes as] Mister McCaffrey moved to approve the Amber Street sidewalk; Miss Snyder seconded. The clerk recorded affirmative votes for Missus Anderson, Missus Paul Miller, Mister McCaffrey, Mister Snyder and Mayor Lambert; the clerk stated the motion "carries 5 votes." Councilors noted that Green Acres funding (separately available) could be used for the platform later if appropriate and that the borough could consider interim benches this summer to preserve seating until a permanent rebuild is scheduled.
The council then moved on to its regular agenda. The vote to award the CDBG funding to Amber Street was reflected in the meeting minutes and will be part of the borough's formal application/documentation for the 2026 CDBG program.
What happens next: the clerk indicated the decision and public comments will be included in the meeting minutes; staff will proceed with the CDBG application processes for Amber Street and continue to evaluate options and funding for the Chatsworth platform in coordination with public works and potential Green Acres funding.
