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Residents urge action on invasive trees, fireworks enforcement and blighted properties
Summary
During public comment Brigantine residents praised recent paving and emergency response, urged enforcement of illegal fireworks, requested help eradicating the invasive 'tree of heaven', asked about an abandoned Santucci property and recommended solar power for municipal buildings.
Several residents used the July 15 public comment period to both praise city services and press the council on local problems.
Frank Reglis (433 Lafayette Boulevard) commended the recent paving and the fire department's response to a recent house fire and told the council "kudos to everybody involved" while pressing for more enforcement of illegal fireworks after disruptive private displays over the lagoon and golf course.
Al Turco (230 10th Street South) urged the council to explore solar panels for municipal buildings, describing his personal savings from home panels, and asked about the future of the Bella Luna property, noting interest in returning the site to commercial use rather than residential.
Anthony Duca (4125 Atlantic Brigantine) requested municipal help to control the invasive "tree of heaven" that he says is encroaching on private property, spreading shoots and hosting spotted lanternfly infestations. He provided photos and urged ordinance changes to enable removal and control on private lots. The mayor said the city is "looking into it now" and will consider ordinance updates to address the invasive species.
Laurie Goldsmith (1415 East Brigantine Avenue) reported people climbing a seawall across her private yard to access the beach and asked the council to press the county to restore a public ramp; the mayor agreed to follow up with the county. Frank O'Brien (5 Kirkwood) raised privacy and legal worries about automatic license plate readers and asked police and legal staff to review best practices and relevant precedent.
The council acknowledged the concerns, said staff would follow up on code enforcement and county coordination, and thanked residents for reporting problems and for praise to emergency responders.
