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Mayor: Borough Hall move off the table for now; roadwork planned, residents praise one-way streets
Summary
Mayor Higgins told the Sept. 16 meeting that a planned Borough Hall relocation to 18th Avenue is not feasible because of rising costs and that a committee will decide next steps; the council outlined upcoming road projects and residents praised this summer's one-way streets pilot.
Mayor Higgins told the Lake Como Mayor and Council on Sept. 16 that relocating Borough Hall to 18th Avenue is "no longer a reality" because of rising costs and said he will form a committee with Councilmen Douglas Witte and Peter Ventrice to decide how to use the site without putting the cost on taxpayers.
Higgins also outlined two road projects the borough received funding to complete: repaving and apron repairs planned for Fernwood Road, Briarwood Terrace and Pine Terrace expected to start in the fall, and work on the Euclid Avenue loop on the west side of Main Street scheduled for completion next fall. The mayor warned residents those projects will cause temporary disruption and that notices will be issued with details.
Committee reports included community and recreation updates. Councilwoman Heather Albala-Doyle said the final Farmer's Market of the season runs Sept. 24 (3–8 p.m.), Wednesday on the Water will be next Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (weather permitting), and Lake Como Day on Saturday, Sept. 20 begins with a 5K and a kids' fishing tournament sponsored by the Belmar Police Department; fireworks will be shot off at 8:30 p.m. Councilwoman Hawley Scull said the pickleball courts are being painted and should reopen in about three weeks and noted the Belmar Youth Club will operate from November through March and is open to Lake Como children.
During the public-comment period resident Allison Krilla of Bradley Terrace said the one-way streets pilot "was extremely successful this summer and cut down on traffic issues, accidents and road rage." Mayor Higgins responded that he had heard positive feedback and that the borough will run the program again next summer. Bill Getschke, also of Bradley Terrace, urged making the one-way streets year-round and said he had seen "two incidents" since the streets were changed back.
Chief Scott added a logistics detail for Lake Como Day, saying fishing-tournament registration runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and thanking the Pepe family of Belmar for a donation to the event.
The council set its next regular meeting for Oct. 7, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lake Como Meeting Room.
