Beach Haven council approves $3.17 million in bills, lists three ordinances for introduction and proposes temporary police-captain appointment

The Beach Haven Borough Council on Jan. 30 approved the consent agenda and bills totaling $3,172,580.32 and announced three ordinances for introduction at the next council meeting, including a temporary amendment to the police roster that would allow two captains while a civil-service promotion list remains valid.

The meeting opened at 6 p.m. with Mayor Lambert presiding and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mrs. Baumiller. The clerk read the required New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act notice and then called the roll; members present answered in the affirmative by roll call. The council approved the Jan. 2, 2025 reorganization meeting minutes on a motion by Mrs. Baumiller, seconded by Mayor Lambert, with all members recorded as voting yes.

Under the consent agenda the clerk read several resolutions that the council moved to adopt together. The items included Resolution 41, authorizing a shared-services agreement with Ocean County for participation in a prosecutors/fatal-accident support team; Resolution 43, awarding a contract to GC Concrete LLC for 2022 and 2024 Community Development Block Grant accessibility projects; Resolution 44, authorizing participation in the state development and redevelopment plan cross-acceptance process; Resolution 45, an agreement with Ocean County for the 2024 CDBG project; Resolution 46, authorization to advertise bids for 2025 water and sewer parts; Resolution 47, awarding a contract to Mid Atlantic Waste Systems for a 2025 garbage truck refurbishment; and Resolution 48, reappointing emergency management officers William Traum and Beverly Traum. The consent agenda was approved by roll call.

The clerk announced approval of the bills for the evening totaling $3,172,580.32. A motion to approve the bills was made, seconded and carried by roll-call vote.

Council members discussed three proposed ordinances to be introduced at the next meeting. The first, drafted by the land-use board solicitor, would amend borough code section 1-20 to send appeals of mercantile-license denials to the governing body rather than to the joint land-use board; the clerk said the change is motivated by the Municipal Land Use Law and the borough solicitor's advice that the governing body has the appropriate jurisdiction. The second ordinance corrects zoning definitions, removing an incorrect reference to floor area ratio from accessory-structure calculations and adding a definition for retaining walls (with guidance that such walls be designed by a licensed design professional, be counted toward lot and impervious coverage and that bulkheads along bodies of water are not retaining walls). The third proposed ordinance would temporarily amend chapter 30 (police) to allow two captains so the borough could appoint Lisa Fay to captain before the civil-service exam list for promotions expires; the clerk said the change would include a sunset provision returning the roster to one captain at year-end.

Council members asked technical questions about the civil-service list and promotion timing. The Police Chief explained the promotion-exam list is valid for three years and that delaying an appointment until after a new exam could leave an open period where a captain slot could not be filled; promoting Sergeant Fay to assume captain responsibilities would maintain continuity.

The council opened the floor to public comment (in-room first, then Zoom) and recorded that no member of the public addressed the council during the period.

In final remarks, Mrs. Baumiller, Mr. McCaffrey and others offered community updates — praising the Beach Haven Elementary School’s production of the Wizard of Oz, noting artwork on display at borough hall, and highlighting local fundraising for California wildfire victims. Council member McCaffrey said the borough had “some good news in reference to the wind turbines,” adding that “Shell, one of the big backers of the wind turbines, might be backing out of the project,” but he urged continued vigilance and legal follow-up until the matter is resolved.

The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.