Point Pleasant Beach meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Point Pleasant Beach boards to weigh Route 35 change of use, Inlet Drive variance; no decisions from recent meetings

Point Pleasant Beach's municipal boards held several meetings over the past two weeks, but all were agenda-only sessions with minutes not yet published, meaning no formal decisions or votes are available. The most consequential item on the horizon is a Planning Board review of a proposed change of use for a Route 35 property, along with a use variance request for a two-story house on Inlet Drive.

Planning Board: Route 35 financial firm change of use

The Planning Board met Aug. 10 and will consider a site plan application from Jason Lamb, doing business as SPA Holdings, LLC, for 403-405 Route 35 (Block 178.2, Lot 14). The proposal seeks to change the use to a financial firm, which requires site plan approval. The plan includes a lifting structure for flood compliance and parking underneath. The board also discussed a resolution extension for 1402 Ocean Partnership LLC to perfect a subdivision, and received a courtesy review of a Board of Education Team Performance Center application. No votes were recorded.

Board of Adjustment: Two-story house at 70 Inlet Drive

The Board of Adjustment met Aug. 20 and considered a single application: a use variance request from Ralph LaManna to modify an existing structure and reconstruct a two-story house with a two-story deck at 70 Inlet Drive (Block 176, Lot 10.01). The meeting included public participation, but no decision was published.

Cultural Arts Committee: Parade, scarecrow contest, holiday lights

The Cultural Arts Committee met Aug. 11 to discuss planning for the 250th Parade, the Scarecrow Contest, Christmas Lights for Arnold Ave, and Christmas Tree Decoration. The agenda also included minutes approval and new business, but no votes or dollar amounts were listed.

Senior Committee: Background check policy, events

The Senior Committee met Aug. 13 to review treasury reports on Borough and Endowment Fund balances, discuss a new amended background check policy for the Borough, and plan upcoming events: an August theater outing, a September Bocce park event, and a potential November BINGO event with the Elks. No decisions were recorded.

Open Space Committee: Coast Guard Station, pocket parks

The Open Space Advisory Committee met Aug. 17 to discuss the Coast Guard Station, 419 Trenton Ave, and two pocket parks on Newark Ave and Lake Louise Boston Ave. The agenda was routine administrative business with no votes or dollar amounts listed.

Coming up

• **Non-Resident Taxpayers Advisory Committee** – Annual Meeting on Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to noon at Antrim School, 401 Niblick St. Speakers will cover town topics.
• **Shade Tree Commission** – Sept. 2 meeting will review a budget balance of $4,011, discuss six replacement trees on New Jersey Avenue, consider an ordinance recommendation for trees on plot plans, and evaluate fall planting options including a Swamp White Oak at Lake of the Lillies and Newark Ave. Updates from the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Flood Plain Management, and Code Enforcement are also on the agenda.

Point Pleasant Beach roundup: Sewer bond, warehouse variance, and summer events on agendas

The Point Pleasant Beach Council met Aug. 4 with a $1.7 million bond ordinance for sewer replacement on Randall Avenue among its agenda items, along with more than $6.2 million in payments. No minutes have been published for any of the five meetings held in the past two weeks, so outcomes are not yet available.

Council

The council's Aug. 4 agenda included introduction of a $1.7 million bond ordinance to replace sanitary sewer infrastructure along Randall Avenue. The agenda also listed approval of payroll payments of $464,496.53 and $456,541.20, a $553,174.78 purchase order for a DPW Jet Vac Truck, and a $300,020 sewerage payment to OCUA. A public hearing was scheduled on vacation of a portion of municipal right-of-way for Blocks 94.02 and 94.01.

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment held a special meeting Aug. 6 to hear Application 2026-18 from Paul Bonsper for property at 306 Hawthorne (Block 109, Lots 15 & 16). The applicant seeks a d(1) use variance to build a warehouse/storage structure, which is not permitted in the HC Zone. Additional variances requested include impervious coverage of 81.8% (70% allowed), building height of 37.5 feet (35 feet allowed), and side yard setback of 6 feet (20 feet required). The meeting included a public comment period.

Shade Tree Commission

The Shade Tree Commission met Aug. 3 and discussed a recommended ordinance regarding trees on plot plans for development lots. Members also reviewed hazard tree reports for Arnold Avenue and Pleasure Park, and the planting of six street trees on New Jersey Avenue. The commission's budget balance was reported at $4,011. Mulch mat deployments were listed for several locations, including Chicago/Antrim, Lake Louise, Lake of the Lillies, Cook's Road, Rudy's Parking lot, Little Silver Parking lot, and Newark Ave. Pocket Park.

Recreation Committee

The Recreation Committee met July 27 to hear updates from subcommittees on summer programs, including skateboarding, concerts, pickleball, and a fishing derby. Fall planning included a car show scheduled for Oct. 17 and Winter Wonderland. The agenda also covered a 50/50 update, a hot dog sale report, and discussion of a Tug of War replacement.

Beautification Committee

The Beautification Committee met July 28 to plan the 250th Anniversary Town Celebration on Sept. 6 and a Summer Social. The Summer Social's date and location were to be set, with sign-up at the Aug. 25 meeting. The committee also discussed volunteer background check forms, beautification T-shirts available for $18, and a Garden Tour Committee report.

Coming up

The Senior Committee will meet Aug. 13 to discuss an amended background check policy for the Borough, review treasury reports, and plan events including an August theater outing, a September Bocce park event, and a potential November BINGO event with the Elks.

Point Pleasant Beach committees hold discussion sessions; Council set to vote on $6.2M in payments and $1.7M sewer bond

Three Point Pleasant Beach committees met over the past two weeks, but no formal decisions are confirmed because minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions. All three meetings were agenda-only, meaning the items listed were scheduled for discussion but no recorded votes are available. The most consequential action on the horizon is the August 4 Council meeting, where members are scheduled to vote on more than $6.2 million in payments and introduce a $1.7 million bond ordinance for sewer replacement.

Open Space Committee — July 20

The Open Space Committee met to review proposals submitted to the municipality and responses received, the current open space fund balance and intended expenditures, the status of the coast guard station, and suggested open space projects. No formal votes were listed on the agenda. Minutes have not been published.

Recreation Committee — July 27

The Recreation Committee heard updates from subcommittees on summer programs including skateboarding, concerts, pickleball, and a fishing derby. The committee also discussed planning for a fall car show scheduled for October 17 and a Winter Wonderland event. Additional agenda items included a 50/50 update, a hot dog sale report, and discussion of a Tug of War replacement. No major decisions or public hearings were scheduled. Minutes have not been published.

Beautification Committee — July 28

The Beautification Committee discussed the 250th Anniversary Town Celebration scheduled for September 6 and planning for a Summer Social, with the date and location to be set and sign-up planned for the August 25 meeting. The committee also reviewed volunteer background check forms, a Garden Tour Committee report, and Beautification T-shirts available for $18. No major financial decisions were on the agenda. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

• **Shade Tree Commission — August 3:** The commission will review a recommended ordinance regarding trees on plot plans for development lots, discuss hazard trees on Arnold Avenue and in Pleasure Park, and consider planting six street trees on New Jersey Avenue. The current budget balance is $4,011.

• **Council — August 4:** The Council will vote on payroll payments of $464,496.53 and $456,541.20, a $553,174.78 purchase order for a DPW Jet Vac Truck, and a $300,020 sewerage payment to OCUA. Members will also introduce a $1.7 million bond ordinance to replace sanitary sewer infrastructure along Randall Avenue and hold a public hearing on vacation of a municipal right-of-way for Blocks 94.02 and 94.01.

• **Board of Adjustment — August 6:** The board will hear Application 2026-18 from Paul Bonsper for property at 306 Hawthorne (Block 109, Lots 15 and 16). The applicant seeks a d(1) use variance to build a warehouse/storage structure in the HC Zone, where it is not permitted, along with variances for impervious coverage (81.8% proposed vs. 70% allowed), building height (37.5 feet vs. 35 feet allowed), and side yard setback (6 feet vs. 20 feet required).

• **Senior Committee — August 13:** The committee will discuss an amended background check policy for the Borough, review treasury reports, and plan upcoming events including an August theater event, a September Bocce park event, and a potential November BINGO event with the Elks.

Council Fire Truck Vote, Ferry Rejection Lead Point Pleasant Beach Meeting Roundup

The Point Pleasant Beach Council's July 7 meeting was set to include a vote on a $2,512,434.41 purchase order for a Pierce aerial fire truck from Fire & Safety Services, making it the largest dollar item on the borough's recent meeting agendas. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome of that vote and other Council actions is not yet confirmed in the official record.

Council Agenda (July 7) — Awaiting Minutes

The Council's regular meeting agenda listed several items for action, though no minutes are available to confirm what was decided:

• **Aerial fire truck:** Purchase order to Fire & Safety Services for a Pierce aerial fire truck totaling $2,512,434.41.
• **Film permit denial:** Denial of 495 Productions' film permit application for a TV film production at a private residence, scheduled for July 31 through August 31.
• **NJDOT grant application:** Authorization to apply for a state Department of Transportation grant for the St. Louis Avenue/Cooks Lane/Cooks Road improvement project.
• **America 250 parade:** Approval of the America 250 S/E Committee's application for a parade and block party on September 6.
• **Road and water payments:** Approval of payment for the Route 35 Water Main Replacement partial pay certificate 6 totaling $264,124.26, and a Randall Avenue repaving extension.

The agenda also included an executive session for legal matters and discussions on a welcome sign for the state champion baseball team, America 250 funding and logistics, and a parade route.

Non-Resident Taxpayers Advisory Committee (July 11) — Decided

The committee's minutes record several community updates:

• **Sea Streak Ferry:** The committee noted that Sea Streak Ferry service was voted down by the Council.
• **America 250 parade:** The parade and block party was postponed to September 6.
• **Tug of War with Manasquan:** Canceled and replaced by a Columbus Day weekend event.
• **Fireworks:** The 4th of July fireworks were rescheduled for July 16.
• **Volunteer background checks:** The committee discussed background check recommendations for volunteers.

No formal votes or decisions were recorded by the committee itself.

Historic Preservation Commission (July 8) — Decided

The commission approved previous meeting minutes via a unanimous email vote and tabled the Historical Ordinance Plan until its next meeting. Members reviewed progress on the USCG Station building and discussed future public events, including an open house. No new ordinances were passed.

Shade Tree Commission (July 6) — Agenda Only

The commission was scheduled to discuss a tree ordinance for Manasquan development lots and the replanting of six street trees removed on New Jersey Avenue. Other agenda items included mulch mat deployment at Chicago/Antrim, Lake Louise, Lake of the Lillies, Little Silver parking lot, and Chicago Avenue at the top of Little Silver; a Free Street Tree Fall Interest update; and a BBT Spring Planting by Louise. Minutes are not yet published.

Planning Board (July 13) — Agenda Only

The board was set to consider a resolution extension request (2025-444) from 1402 Ocean Partnership LLC for additional time to perfect a subdivision at 1402 Ocean Avenue. Sign reviews were scheduled for The Market at 505 Richmond Ave, The Grille at 303 Richmond Ave, and Fornellos at 133 Ocean Ave. Minutes are not yet published.

Board of Adjustment (July 16) — Agenda Only

The board was scheduled to approve minutes from its April 16 meeting and review Application 2026-19, a use variance request by The White Sands Ocean Front Resort for a multi-use hotel, spa, restaurant/banquet, and private residence at 1201–1205 Ocean Avenue. A public comment period was planned for agenda and non-agenda items. Minutes are not yet published.

Senior Committee (July 14) — Agenda Only

The committee's agenda included approval of June 11 minutes, a treasury report on Borough and Endowment Fund balances with a call for a volunteer treasurer, an August theater event update, and an Eagle Scout project update in Pleasure Park. No major decisions were anticipated.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Readers seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 7 Council meeting and other agenda-only sessions should watch for published minutes on the borough's official website.

Point Pleasant Beach Roundup: $2.5M Fire Truck Vote, Verizon Antenna Review, and Arnold Avenue Use Change on Recent Agendas

Point Pleasant Beach boards and commissions met six times over the past two weeks, with agendas covering a $2.5 million aerial fire truck purchase, a Verizon Wireless antenna relocation, a proposed change of use on Arnold Avenue, and several procedural items. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes listed below reflect what was on each agenda, not confirmed decisions.

Council: $2.5M Fire Truck, Film Permit Denial, and America 250 Parade

The Borough Council's July 7 agenda included a vote on a purchase order to Fire & Safety Services for a Pierce aerial fire truck totaling $2,512,434.41. The consent agenda also listed denial of a film permit application from 495 Productions for a TV film at a private residence scheduled July 31 through August 31, and authorization to apply for a NJDOT grant for the St. Louis Ave/Cooks Ln/Cooks Road improvement project.

The agenda included approval of the America 250 S/E Committee's application for a Parade and Block Party on September 6, and a payment of $264,124.26 for the Route 35 Water Main Replacement partial pay certificate 6, plus a Randall Ave Repaving extension. Discussion items covered a welcome sign for the state champion baseball team, America 250 funding and logistics, and a parade route. The council was scheduled to hold an executive session for legal matters before the regular meeting.

Planning Board: Verizon Wireless Antenna Relocation to 170-Foot Monopole

The Planning Board held a special meeting June 29 for a courtesy review of Application 2026-451 from Verizon Wireless. The proposal involves relocating telecommunication antennas from the existing water tank to a new 170-foot monopole (175 feet with lightning rod) at 416 New York Avenue, Lot 7, Block 33. This was the sole agenda item.

Board of Adjustment: Change of Use at 804-808 Arnold Avenue

The Board of Adjustment met July 2 to consider Application 2026-14 for 804-808 Arnold Avenue, Block 91.02, Lot 10. The applicant proposes changing the property from retail use to two tenants: a fitness center of approximately 5,413 square feet on the first floor and basement, and a second tenant with up to 12,312 square feet for permitted uses including retail, recreation, experiential retail, restaurant, department store, or offices on the first and second floors. The item was carried without notice from the June 18 special meeting.

Shade Tree Commission: Tree Ordinance and Replanting

The Shade Tree Commission met July 6 to discuss a tree ordinance for Manasquan development lots and the replanting of six street trees removed on New Jersey Avenue. The agenda also included mulch mat deployment at Chicago/Antrim, Lake Louise, Lake of the Lillies, Little Silver parking lot, and Chicago Avenue at the top of Little Silver, plus a Free Street Tree Fall Interest update and a BBT Spring Planting by Louise. Reports covered Ocean County recommendations, a state grant, and updates from the Planning Board and other committees.

Historic Preservation Commission: Grants and New Member

The Historic Preservation Commission met July 8 to introduce Derick Fischer as a new member. Bill Elwell was scheduled to read the Historical Ordinance Plan. Discussion items included updates on the USGC Station, plans for obtaining grant money for 2026/2027, and verification of the commission's current budget and its use. No formal decisions were anticipated.

Non-Resident Taxpayers Advisory Committee: Annual Meeting Planning

The advisory committee met July 11 to discuss planning for its annual meeting, scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Antrim School, 401 Niblick St. The mayor was scheduled to provide an update on town topics. No votes on ordinances, contracts, or rezonings were on the agenda.

Coming Up

The Senior Committee meets July 14 to approve June 11 meeting minutes, hear a treasury report on Borough and Endowment Fund balances (with a call for a volunteer treasurer), discuss an August theater event, and receive an update on an Eagle Scout project in Pleasure Park. The agenda is largely procedural, with no major decisions anticipated.