Residents press council on park lighting, kayak launch removal and salty-tasting water

During the public comment period residents raised several neighborhood concerns the council said it would address.

Gaylen Nolan, who was reappointed to the Environmental Commission, asked that lights recently installed at Joseph E. Robertson Park be aimed upward less so they do not glare into nearby homes; Councilman Leonard Capristo responded that the lights are new and that the borough is working on a holiday-use schedule and that adjustments would be made, and Borough Engineer Joseph May said the matter would be addressed.

Karen Burke asked for an update on the planned removal of the kayak launch. Mayor Christopher Campion and Borough Administrator John Barrett described a careful dismantling plan intended to avoid damage and said they were working to undo the grant funding tied to the structure; Burke thanked Councilwoman Sara King for her assistance. Resident Kerry Murray questioned whether the engineering firm that installed the kayak launch had been appointed; Campion clarified the appointment at the meeting was a different firm. Murray also asked why the borough is using consultant/part-time arrangements for positions such as the administrator, financial officer and qualified purchasing agent; Campion said the current mix is financially beneficial compared with moving to all full-time positions.

Council members later gave brief reports, including an update from Councilwoman Degnan-Spang that the borough has observed a salty taste in the water supply linked to the Manasquan Reservoir and is increasing use of well water while public works addresses the issue. The meeting then adjourned at 7:33 p.m.