Beach Haven council approves telecom, zoning and multiple bond measures, and lists capital projects

The Beach Haven Borough Council voted on a package of ordinances and capital measures at its October meeting, moving several items forward and approving a consent agenda and the monthly bill list.

Key votes and items included: • Ordinance 2025-21C (final reading) — repeal and replacement of the borough code chapter on placement of small‑cell equipment and telecommunications facilities. Council members described the ordinance as intended to streamline review while preserving borough control and aesthetics; no public comment was recorded and the council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.

• Ordinance 2025-22C (final reading) — amendment and reorganization of the zoning code to incorporate historic preservation provisions and to clarify business‑district processes. Resident John Hal asked about a potential conflict in language concerning conversions of commercial properties to residential use and about a 5,000‑foot prohibition on battery energy storage near residences; borough staff clarified that conversions would be treated as conditional uses requiring land‑use‑board review and that an existing Atlantic City Electric facility would not be affected unless it applies to expand or change operations. The council voted to adopt the ordinance.

• Ordinance 2025-23 (first reading) — bond ordinance appropriating $2,220,000 for various capital improvements and acquisitions, including DOT road reconstruction on Amber Street/Bay Avenue, county road milling and paving, storm‑drain replacement, bulkhead work, police and public‑works vehicles and equipment, and library exterior restoration. A grant of $349,750 toward the DOT work was noted; the council approved the ordinance on first reading.

• Ordinance 2025-24 (first reading) — $250,000 bond ordinance for water‑utility improvements, primarily to replace a failed backup generator at the water plant. Council approved the first reading.

• Ordinance 2025-25 (first reading) — $980,000 bond ordinance for sewer‑system improvements, including main and lateral replacements and acquisition of a jet cleaning unit; council approved the first reading.

• Ordinance 2025-27 (first reading) — amendment to increase appropriation in a previously adopted bond ordinance to reflect an anticipated Green Acres grant and to fully encumber the Jake’s Playground contract on Nelson Avenue; staff noted reimbursement will follow project completion and the ordinance passed on first reading.

The council also approved the consent agenda, which included Resolution 219 (awarding a contract to Seawolf Construction Corp., doing business as Imperial Construction & Electric, for the 2025 emergency operations center renovation), Resolution 222 (a long‑range drainage plan), Resolution 223 (memorializing design/construction of the Beach Haven stormwater pump station project) and several escrow/bond returns. The bill list for the period — $121,738.15 — was approved by roll call.

In closing remarks Mayor Lambert and council members thanked the police, volunteer fire and first‑aid squads, public works, and the emergency operations team (Deputy Coordinator Adam Ellander, Chief Jim Marowski, and Deputy Robert Chambers) for response efforts during a recent storm and noted upcoming community events including a trunk‑or‑treat and the pet parade.

All formal votes recorded in the meeting were taken by roll call and are included in the meeting record.