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Residents press council on honey locust plantings and beach-fee impacts during public comment
Summary
Public commenters urged the council to reconsider planting honey locust trees near Silver Lake and Triangular Park, and raised concerns that beach fees and the borough's fee policy can restrict access for immigrants and low-income residents; officials said litigation limits what they can discuss and explained the town follows state statute and the public trust doctrine.
During the regular public session several residents spoke on neighborhood concerns. Neil (identified in the record as Neil Shack) urged the borough to reconsider planting honey locust trees near Silver Lake and Triangular Park, citing a field guide he said shows the species is not native to New Jersey and expressing concern about large thorns and public safety near children.
"I don't think the honey locust is a good tree," the resident said, adding he had brought a thorny branch to a prior meeting to show the council and that he hopes the commission is planting thornless varieties if they continue this species. Mayor Buck Fusco responded that he would reach out to Jim Sharrock and pass along the comment so the Shade Tree Commission's plans can be reviewed.
The same speaker also criticized the borough's beach-fee system, saying that a $12 badge can deter some immigrants and low-income residents from swimming in lifeguarded conditions and that some people therefore swim after hours in unsafe, unguarded conditions. The mayor said the council could not discuss specifics of past incidents because litigation may be pending. An agency official summarized the borough's legal posture: the public trust doctrine requires equal access and the state statute permits municipalities to charge beach fees while allowing specified exceptions (for children, senior discounts and other categories).
Other public comments included a thank-you to Department of Public Works for removing stickers from a downtown mast and a report that a tattered flag at the beachfront pavilion was replaced after being reported.
No formal council action on tree species or beach fees was taken at this meeting; the council asked staff to follow up on the Shade Tree Commission's planting plans.
