Commissioner presents plan to relocate 1928 Sisters of Charity house; residents raise parking, timeline and funding concerns

Commissioner Joseph F. Gieger told the board on Sept. 15 that borough staff and resident collaborators have developed preliminary plans to preserve and relocate a 1928 house currently on Sisters of Charity property. The presentation included possible funding sources, project cost estimates and design options; Commissioner Gieger said a committee would be formed to pursue the effort.

Residents at the meeting raised a series of concerns during privilege of the floor. Laura Murphy asked about unsplit piles of shells and questioned whether borough manpower earmarked for the relocation would be available. Kim O'Connell asked whether Sisters of Charity planned to sell the bayside parcel; Mayor John M. Imperiale confirmed there are no plans to sell. Several residents, including Ann Pollack and Kathy Ries, expressed concern that relocating the house could worsen parking in nearby streets; the mayor said the house is relatively small and unlikely to be used as an event venue.

Other questions focused on regulatory and logistical constraints. Judy Gerkens noted Green Acres rules that could apply if the house is sited on park property. Mindy Berman asked whether water and sewer would be connected; Commissioner Gieger said no water or sewer lines would be hooked up to the relocated structure. Jim Fritz asked about repaving of Long Beach Boulevard; Commissioner Gieger said repaving likely will happen after Streetscape Phase 3 in December. Dan Olsen pressed on a tight timeline and uncertain finances; Commissioner Gieger said the borough expects to know relatively soon whether the project will be green-lit. Commissioners said the house is about 800 square feet and residents asked that affected neighbors be notified and included on the project committee.

The board did not vote on the relocation at this meeting. Commissioner Paul G. Rice noted the borough is preparing the 2026 municipal budget and described the relocation cost as substantial, indicating budget priorities will be a factor in next steps. Mayor Imperiale said the project is worth exploring provided it is legally and fiscally responsible. No funding commitments were made on the record at this session.

Next steps: commissioners indicated they will continue to evaluate the project, form a committee and provide updates to residents; any formal action would be scheduled and publicly noticed in a future meeting.