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Beach Haven council approves ordinances and bond for police, fire equipment; first reading updates retaining-wall definition
Summary
The Beach Haven Borough Council unanimously approved several final-reading ordinances — including a bond ordinance appropriating $830,000 for police and fire equipment and an amendment allowing two police captains — passed the consent agenda and a multi-year Public Works labor agreement, and advanced a zoning code change (first reading) to define retaining walls and set design and permitting rules.
The Beach Haven Borough Council on March 10 approved multiple ordinances and routine business, including a bond ordinance to fund police and fire equipment, a temporary increase in authorized police captain positions and a first reading to amend zoning definitions for retaining walls.
Council held final readings and recorded unanimous yes votes for ordinances amending Chapter 120 (appeals process for mercantile-license denials), increasing police captains from one to two, and establishing restricted areas of Borough Hall. The council also approved a bond ordinance appropriating $830,000 and authorizing the issuance of $790,000 in bonds or notes to finance certain police and fire equipment; Beach Haven fire and police chiefs thanked the council for the investment.
Councilmembers discussed the change to allow two police captains as a temporary measure to “keep the line of succession moving smoothly,” and the transcript records that there is “no pay increase at this time” related to that change.
On zoning, the council advanced ordinance 2025-6C on first reading to add a definition of "retaining walls" to the borough code. The proposed definition requires that retaining walls be designed by a licensed design professional to prevent flotation, must be constructed on the same lot as the improvement they serve, will count toward impervious coverage (but not toward building coverage), and require a permit. Councilmembers asked staff about acceptable materials and aesthetic considerations; zoning staff Phil said the ordinance language is intended to remove ambiguity and that wood is generally discouraged for certain retaining-wall uses.
Under the consent agenda, the council listed and then approved multiple resolutions — returning street-opening bonds, refunding performance bonds, releasing remaining land-use inspection fees, awarding a parts contract for the water and sewer department, and executing a ferry-service agreement with Tuckerton Seaport/BAM’s Museum — and memorialized a labor agreement with Local 97 for public works matters referenced in the resolutions.
Councilmember Mike McCaffrey summarized highlights of a new three-year Public Works agreement approved in the consent agenda: overtime will be paid at time-and-a-half when Borough Hall is closed (previously limited to declared emergencies), clothing allowances increase from $1,200 to $1,800, and multi-year salary increases were negotiated (the transcript records a $2,500 increase in year one described as roughly a 5% increase and later-year increases of about $1,800 with dollar values discussed by council). McCaffrey also said compensation for special certifications and education incentives were added.
The council approved the consent agenda and a bill list (transcript records a bill total near $3,280,291.21 though some figures in the transcript are fragmented). The meeting concluded after one public comment thanking council members for constituent outreach and brief final remarks.
