PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

This message from Barbara was written just prior to her untimely passing.  We felt it was appropriate to use, as it nicely reflects her optimism, warmth and love of Barnegat Light.  For Barbara's obituary, visit the website of the Maxwell-Tobie  Funeral Home in Manahawkin - maxwelltobiefuneralhome.com.

The Trustees of the BLTA

Spring, 2022

**********************

The days are longer. Even the sunset’s colors respond with joy. It’s been a long two years for all of us. Yet, how lucky we are to reside in this beautiful town, Barnegat Light.

Welcome back to those who return from winter residences elsewhere. As more people choose to remain in the winter, even if only part time, we see the changing demographics here and on LBI. More businesses and restaurants remain open as there are more people here. We’re excited to see our membership grow the last two years. Dr Rich Brodman’s membership report will give further details. All are welcome.

We plan three general meetings again this year. We like using the space at the Pavilion. We’re discussing a wine and cheese event. We’ll keep you posted.

Finally, after several years of discussion and research, we have updated the BLTA website. This is a project we’ve been working on for three years. See the Social Media article later in this newsletter for a full update.

Most, we wish everyone good health and happy days ahead.

Barbara Truncellito

President BLTA

Membership Report 

 by Dr. Rich Brodman

Despite the resurgence of Covid 19, with initially the Delta variant and later the Omicron variant, the BLTA was able to resume several of our activities, most importantly our three general meetings.  These were all held outdoors at our Pavilion.  Our membership has grown considerably over this last year.  We had 587 member households this last calendar year which was an increase of 46 households over the 2020 calendar year.  We are now approaching 50% of all households. 

We would like to further improve our membership.  To this end we have created a new membership platform with great new features (to be described later in this Newsletter). This new platform will continue to have the option of online payment.  As mentioned in our President’s note, we are hoping to resume our meet and greet Wine and Cheese event.  We will continue our general meetings, addressing important issues for Barnegat Light as well as island wide issues (windmills, flooding etc.).  Each of our general meetings will include an invited speaker, as well as an update from our mayor followed by a question-and-answer session.

The cost of membership remains at $25 per household.  This contrasts with other taxpayers’ associations which charge for each member within a household.  Your BLTA trustees are looking forward to a much more normal summer after two exhausting years of Covid. 

Come join us.

Treasurer's Report  by Bill Chrnelich  


Your BLTA’s Dues and Contributions in 2021 increased by $2,660 compared to 2020, principally due to higher membership. Our 2021 expenditures increased by $929 over 2020 excluding that year’s COVID-19 donation. The $929 increase is principally related to higher printing and postage expense.

Our Fund Balance at December 31, 2021 increased to $18,546. We expect this balance to revert to prior year levels as we incur costs in 2022 to replace our 11 year-old Excel membership database with a new online membership and website system.  

See graphs.

We did it! Have you seen it? After several years of discussion and research, we have updated the BLTA website to a platform that includes an online member and business directory, photo gallery, the opportunity to conduct real-time surveys, a potential blog, and a members-only area where you can renew your membership OR you can choose to join the BLTA for the first time! Our newsletters will be created and sent through this new platform and our database is able to be maintained in a more sophisticated way.

Not to worry – our website will continue to be your go-to place for news and information on Barnegat Light’s attractions, services, and history; however, there are now areas only accessible by dues-paying members. You will have control over whether you wish to share any information with other BLTA members using available privacy settings. While access to the main website will continue to be available to anyone, a log-in will be required to visit the members only areas.

We are excited that this new platform gives us a “greener” way of connecting with our members and friends. You should have received a couple of emails detailing how to log-in and create your membership profile. We encourage you to take the time to do this – and if you’re not yet a member of the BLTA – we look forward to welcoming you as one soon! Questions? Email us at:barnegatlighttaxpayers@gmail.com and we will get back to you with an answer.

Barnegat Light Little Library

Have you checked out the Little Library boxes at the entrance to the post office and the larger collection in the meeting room at Borough Hall?  Circulation continues to be brisk, with many users visiting regularly.  The library is maintained by an active group of volunteers.  If you would like to be contacted to join the committee send an email to barnegatlighttaxpayers@gmail.com.

LBI Island Shuttle

The island trolly will start Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 27, around 4:30pm and run until about 11pm Friday and Saturday.  Sunday until 9 or 10.  Same again weekend of June 24.  Full time service begins Monday, June 27 - Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 10pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am-11pm.

For fee schedule, check lbishuttle.com

See you on the shuttle!

About Town

From Dottie Reynolds

April 2022

Our mayor and council:

Kirk Larson, Mayor of Barnegat Light

Barnegat Light is preparing for a beautiful summer to be enjoyed by all our homeowners and visitors.  We have beautiful, wide beaches, a bay accessible for boating, fishing, observing wildlife, swimming at the guarded beaches and enjoying gorgeous sunsets. 

You are invited to join us at the Mayor and Council meeting held on the second Wednesday of each month in Borough Hall on East 7th Street.  Work session caucus starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by our regular meeting at 5:00 p.m.  You will have the opportunity to voice your thoughts and suggestions at the open public session and be informed on local current issues.

As a prosperous fishing and beach community, which provides significant financial support to the town, we remain concerned that the proposed wind farms off the coast will have a huge negative impact on our local economy.  Wind turbines disrupt fishing, harm marine mammals and other ocean life, and kill hundreds of thousands of birds. As the governing body we need to pay close attention to all development and construction of projects within the Northern Bite area. (New Jersey to Nantucket).  The state government also passed legislation reducing our towns' power to fight construction within the borough limits by the Board of Public Utilities.  An example would be Power Cables under our own roads.  I know most people don’t like changes, so let's pay close attention to all matters related to everyone's Ocean and see where this project ends.

The Borough of Barnegat Light wishes you a safe, healthy and enjoyable summer!

Michael Spark, Council President and Finance Chairman

Thank you to all taxpayers in Barnegat Light for paying their taxes promptly, resulting in a municipal tax collection rate of 99.48% in 2021.  Working with our Mayor and Council we have prepared a budget which provides for the needs of the town while managing to keep a minimal tax increase of only 1/2 cent during a time of record high inflation.

Sam Alloway, Docks and Harbors Chairman

The Barnegat Light public boat ramp is located at 10th Street and Bayview Avenue.  A pass is required for all vessels, including jet skis.  Boat and jetski daily charges are $20 per day or $120 for the season pass or $200 for a commercial pass.  Our 44 municipal boat slips are located north of the ramp and can be rented on an annual basis from April 1 to December 1.  Slip holders must renew their slip lease by December 31 each year to remain in the slip.  All slips are currently rented for 2022.

Ed Wellington, Public Works Chairman

The Barnegat Light Public Works team has responsibility for maintaining borough property and public resources.  In addition to maintaining buildings and grounds this past year, we have completed a number of projects that have enhanced our town, including completion of new playground equipment and surface for the playground adjacent to the tennis courts in 2021.  A donated lifeguard house was renovated and raised on Broadway, and the museum exterior was repaired to include new entrance stairs and many needed siding replacements.  In addition, beach entrances and town facilities were prepared for the season.

Frank Mikuletzky, Chairman of Public Safety, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator

As of March 1, a new law requires drivers to move over one lane if possible when passing pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders.  If not possible, allow 4 feet between car and pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders. If these two options are not possible, driver is required to slow down to 25 mph.  This also applies to locations with no sidewalks.  Please note, always bike with traffic, walk against traffic.   Consider joining the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad or Fire Company.  New members are always needed.

Mary Ellen Foley, Chairperson for Water & Sewer

A reminder that we will be billing based on the water meter readings next year,  once we have a better understanding of our residents’ usage so we can set appropriate rates.  Thank you for your understanding.

Water is one of the most important resources we have…now that we have our water meters in place, let’s think about ways to conserve what we have and prevent huge water bills in the future.

(For tips on ways to conserve water, click here.)

Dottie Reynolds, Beaches and Parks Chairman

Timely Tips for Summer Fun in Barnegat Light

  •  May 10th Reduce plastic waste.  NJ law prohibits plastic bags/straws unless requested.
  • May 28 - Island shuttle busses start running Barnegat Light to Holgate for a reasonable fee.
  • May 28 - Happy feet flip-flop to the beach more easily.  Mobi Mats and roll-up walkways installed
  • Prior to June 5th save money.  Buy preseason beach badge - $30.
  • June 6 - Beach badge required.  Season badges are $40.
  • June 18 - Get out your bathing suit.  Beaches open with lifeguards on duty.
  • June 18 -Beach Tram starts running along the foot of the dunes from 4th street to the first guarded beach (around 10th street) from 10am to 5pm - lunch break 1-2.
  • June 27 - Lifeguard in Training program starts.  Call borough hall for information.
  • July 30 - Barnegat Light 13th Annual Mile Swim competition.  Enter online.
  • August 5-6 - Long Beach Island annual Lifeguard Tournament.  This year in Barnegat Light!

    New Look for Old Barney

    Closed March to October

    Barnegat Lighthouse will be getting a make-over both inside and outside this spring and summer and into the fall. The lighthouse will be closed from mid-March through October so that the extensive renovations can be completed. Unfortunately climbing the lighthouse will not be possible, but Barnegat Light State Park will remain open during construction.

    Inside the lighthouse will be platform repairs in the lantern, roof repairs and new windows. The exterior masonry façade will be recoated and the brick will be repaired. Necessary painting will also be done. The project, which will cost $1.3 million, is funded by the state corporate business tax. The Friends of the Barnegat Lighthouse who are responsible for the relighting of the light in 2009 will be donating a new beacon and platform fencing.

    Volunteer Services in Barnegat Light

    This year our two feature articles highlight the volunteers who protect us all in Barnegat Light.  They are the members of the Barnegat Light Fire Company and the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad.  It is thanks to the volunteer efforts of this special group of people that we are never alone in dealing with unpredictable emergencies throughout the year.

    Barnegat Light Fire Company

    By Wendy Baker

    Research for this article supplied by

    the current Fire Chief, Captain, and

    Engineer of the BL Fire Company

    Last summer a rare tornado ripped through High Bar Harbor and luckily just scraped Barnegat Light. The sirens had barely stopped before numerous volunteer fire companies appeared on Arnold Ave and set up a triage center. How does this service we often take for granted happen? How is it funded? Who are these volunteers?

    Long Beach Island is protected by volunteers; only the Coast Guard and Police are paid emergency workers. Our Barnegat Light Fire Company is one of several on the island and was founded February 10, 1937 by commercial fishermen. The wives of these men played cards once a week and each donated $1 towards the fund to build the firehouse. Although Barnegat Light Borough and Long Beach Township supply stipends, the funding for upkeep on the firehouse and equipment remains dependent on donations, summer t-shirt sales, fund drives and help from the Ladies Auxiliary. The fire company is dispatched by Ocean County Radio Room via phone/pagers and also by the siren sounding. An interesting note: If you hear a siren it is always a fire call, our first aid squad is notified in a different manner. The call is answered by dispatching the appropriate equipment based on the information received. The BL Fire Company has answered an average of 140 calls annually over the last five years. In addition to fires, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods they respond to water and ice rescue, car and boat accidents, elevator rescues, gas leaks, first aid squad assistance and helicopter landings for trauma center transport.

    Who does this 24/7 service? The ages of the company members are 16 to 90 and come from all walks of life. While the 90 year old member does not answer calls any longer he is an integral part of the company helping with maintenance, special projects and institutional knowledge. The youngest two members are junior members who are allowed to drill and attend meetings with the fire company. At 18 a volunteer may take the 80 hour fire training course conducted by the Ocean County Fire Academy in Waretown. This course is required for all volunteers. Additional training in pump operations, water/ice rescue and fire ground tactics is available in-house. Frequently the company volunteers come from firefighting families but anyone wishing to serve the community is welcome. Any company member is happy to share details on becoming a volunteer.

    Our borough is fortunate to have an active Ladies’ Auxiliary. Their biggest activity is running an auction in August each year. The monies raised are given to the Fire Company to help them purchase equipment and trucks. The Auxiliary is also available to assist the fire company during public emergencies such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes with support at the scene of food and drink and assistance for displaced residents. New members are always welcome to the Auxiliary.

    Community outreach is an unheralded part of the BL Fire Company. They drill twice a month and welcome interested observers. During the summer volunteers willingly share information about the company during t-shirt sales at both the Firehouse and White’s Market. Children are treated to tours of the firehouse, explorations of the equipment and of course important fire and beach safety rules! 


    Barnegat Light First Aid Squad

    By Mary Ann Crutchlow

    With Research Help from

    Mark Pojednic,

    Second Lieutenant, BLFAS

    Did you know that the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad averages over 400 calls per year - more than 1 a day, with highest volume in the summer, but with year-round volume increasing significantly?  As of March 15, 2022, there had been over 90 calls year-to-date, a number that is 50% above the 3-year average.

    Barnegat Light's first aid squad began initial training on March 13, 1952.  Up until then, all calls on the island were handled by a unit coming out of Beach Haven, and the Beach Haven Squad offered aid in formation of the new group.  They felt that Long Beach Island was badly in need of another ambulance and first aid squad, and that the formation of such a squad would take excessive burden off the existing unit.  At the first meeting 31 people signed up for the squad, and that group took the first aid course required to apply for a charter.

    Currently there are 40 members, with about 20 active emergency responders. They provide emergency care to the North End (North Beach, Harvey Cedars, Loveladies, Barnegat Light and High Bar Harbor), and they provide Mutual Aid to neighboring squads and the Mainland.  Today EMTs are most in need.  Drivers, as well as those certified in Professional rescuer CPR, can respond to calls.  In addition they have members who do administrative tasks, work on the building and equipment, and attend public events.  Summer members are accepted as well - there are a number of active members who spend some or all of the summer here and are great contributors.  BLFAS would like to specifically encourage new homeowners and residents, as well as people who may have relocated during the pandemic and/or are working from home, to volunteer.

    How would one volunteer?  You must be 16 years old to take the EMT class.  At 18, you can fully respond.  And to be a driver only you need to be over 21.  For further information call Mark Pojednic at (201) 320-0698. 

    The BLFAS gratefully receives a financial stipend from all the towns they serve, (Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, and Long Beach Township).  However, they rely mostly on donations from the public, which enables them to buy and own all of their equipment.

    A very important point:  The EMS/Ambulance service is NOT considered a mandatory service in the state of New Jersey.  Municipalities are only required to provide police and fire... NOT EMS,  and the BLFAS would like to encourage residents to lobby their state representatives to change that situation. As it is, these first responders feel very fortunate to have the strong support of the local governments of the communities they serve.

    Postmaster Dorothy Mathis Retires

    December 31, 2021, marked the end of Dorothy Mathis’ 18 years as Barnegat Light Postmaster. She began her career as a mail carrier in Manahawkin 34 years ago and came to our post office in 2003. Dorothy was honored by Mayor Kirk Larson and the Borough Council as well as the BLTA at the December 8th Council Meeting.

    In addition to being recognized for her history of service and dedication to Barnegat Light, Dorothy received pubic accolades for her “over and above” kindness and friendliness.  Famous for knowing everyone’s name and mailbox number, she kept treats for her human and canine customers. Rumor has it that Dorothy also conducted a pipeline for letters to the North Pole each December.

    During the height of the recent COVID pandemic our small post office was inundated with packages as residents turned to home delivery for many necessities. Dorothy handled it all with a smile and her usual good humor. She found time to personally deliver mail to ill residents, track errant packages, and even called to check on customers she hadn’t seen in awhile.

    In her retirement, Dorothy and her husband plan to do numerous road trips and have already been to Florida twice. A visit out west to Sonoma is planned for the fall. Our small town has been gifted by her service and wishes her well in her next adventures. Happy trails Dorothy!

    Sixty Years of the Mast and Me

    by Wendy Baker


    On the cold and cloudy night of February 12, 1963, the 95’ fishing vessel, Sea King brushed too close to the shore of Barnegat Light and ran aground. The shoals of Barnegat Inlet have long been the sight of shipwrecks but the Sea King’s beaching was unusual because weather conditions were not stormy.

    Early that day the Sea King left New York City towing a minesweeper, the Prescott, to Atlantic City where it would be reconditioned as a fishing vessel. Both ran aground after midnight between 10th and 12th Streets. The Prescott was easily towed back to sea and continued to Atlantic City but the Sea King, with a hole in its hull, remained marooned in the sand. After several months the owner gave up salvage attempts and abandoned the vessel. Over the next few years the ship remained on its side on the beach and slowly settled into the sand until only the mast and part of the hull remained visible. That is the time that my teenage self was introduced to the mast.

    Barnegat Light in the late 60s was frequently our group destination from Beach Haven Park because it was remote with no crowds yet followed the parental rule of “don’t leave the island”. Like a playground for big kids we climbed around the hull and challenged each other to hit the top of the mast with shells and driftwood when no one was looking. After a few years we moved on but the Sea King continued to settle in the sand where she remained for over a decade.

    By 1983 the beach had receded and as plans were put in place to save the lighthouse and build a new jetty the ship was submerged in water except for the mast. Water wrapped around her and the Sea King became a reef like home to scores of fish. An aerial view shows the whole of the ship but all that was visible to beachcombers was the mast.  It became a popular destination for our surf fishing expeditions and as the decade wore on there was a new challenge, “First one to swim to the mast and back gets the first shower”, yelled the children.

    Fast forward to the 90s when the jetty construction at Barnegat Inlet had reconfigured the profile of the beach and resulted in our now extensive dunes. By the end of the decade we had our first cottage in Barnegat Light and the mast was a rusty spear surrounded by encroaching sand dunes. During those ensuing years our grandchildren were challenged to, “Make it to the mast” either by beach or through the dunes of 12th Street. This challenge of an unaided hike remains to this day a rite of passage in our house.

    Late in the first decade of the new century my childhood dream of living full time on LBI was realized. We have watched year around as Super Storm Sandy and replenishment dredging changed the beach yet again. The constant evolving of our shoreline brought another receding of the dunes and the top of the Sea King mast is now once again in the water during high tide. She is rusty and hole pitted and looks unstable but her roots are deep and I expect she will be there for 60 more years of exploration. I do wonder though that perhaps if we could dig down through the decades of sand we would find her hull and a new challenge for my future great grandchildren!

    Resources: Shipwrecks Near Barnegat Inlet by David Seibold and Charles Adams III

    New Jersey Shipwrecks by Margaret Thomas Buchholz

    Addendums

    Tips on ways to conserve water...

    1.          Check your toilet for leaks.

     ***THIS IS THE BIGGEST WASTE OF WATER IN ALL HOMES! ***

    Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the coloring begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that may be wasting more than 100 gallons of water a day. If this happens, your flapper is likely bad and needs to be replaced.

    2. Water your lawn or garden for less time

    If  you have a garden, many of us water for 20 minutes in each zone.  Consider reducing watering cycles to either 6-7 minutes once a day or (2) 3-4 minute cycles 2x a day. Landscapers will tell you that if you start this practice in the spring, your plants will grow deeper roots and won’t need watering longer or multiple times per day. Also, avoid watering on windy days when much of your water may be carried off to the streets and sidewalks.

    3.  Don’t water your garden in the rain.

    Too many of us don’t have a rain gauge, so turn off your watering system if it’s raining!

    4. Stop using your toilet as a wastebasket

    Every cotton face cleaner, tissue or cigarette butt you flush away wastes five to seven gallons of water.

    5. Put a plastic bottle in your toilet tank

    If you have an older toilet, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles in the bottom of a one liter bottle to weigh it down. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and put it in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanism. In an average home, the bottle may save five gallons or more of water every day without harming the efficiency of the toilet. If your tank is big enough, you may even be able to put in two bottles.

    6. Take shorter showers

    A typical shower uses five to ten gallons of water a minute! Consider cutting your 30 minute shower down to 10-15 minutes. 

    7. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors

    Your hardware or plumbing supply store stocks inexpensive shower heads or flow restrictors that will cut your shower flow to about three gallons a minute instead of five to ten. They are easy to install, and your showers will still be cleansing and refreshing.

    8. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth

    Before brushing, wet your brush and fill a glass for rinsing your mouth.

    9. Turn off the water while shaving

    Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of warm water in which to rinse your razor.

    10. Check faucets and pipes for leaks

    Even a small drip can waste 50 or more gallons of water a day.

    11. Use your dishwasher for full loads only

    Running your dishwasher less often saves water and money.

    12. Use your washing machine only for full loads only

    Your automatic washer uses 30 to 35 gallons per cycle.

    13. Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables

    Rinse your vegetables instead in a bowl or sink full of clean water.

    14. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator

    This puts a stop to the wasteful practice of running tap water to cool it for drinking.

    15. If you wash dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing

    If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you have only one sink, first gather all your washed dishes in a dish rack, then rinse them quickly with a spray device or a pan of water.

    16. Check faucets and pipes for leaks

    Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An inexpensive washer is usually enough to stop them.

    17. Water during the cool parts of the day

    Early morning is better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus.

    18. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants.

    Mulch slows the evaporation of moisture.

    19. Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and steps instead of your hose, which wastes hundreds of gallons of water.

    20. Don't run the hose while washing your car

    Soap down your car with a pail of soapy water. Use a hose only to rinse it off.

    (To return to newsletter, click here.)


    Borough Hall Information

    Recycling keeps tons of materials out of the landfills while protecting natural resources and lessening pollutants that go into the air and water.  Recycling creates revenue.  The greater the tonnage the more we earn.  In addition, if recyclables are kept out of the solid waste stream, the town pays less in tipping fees at the landfill.  All bottles, cans, newspapers, cardboard, junk mail and magazines can be placed in ONE bin marked with the town's recycling stickers.  NO plastic bags.  If the can contains a plastic bag, the entire contents of the can will be placed in the trash.  Guidelines and recycling schedule can be found on the borough's website, www.Barnegatlight.org.  Recycling stickers are available at Borough Hall.  Homeowners please be sure that your tenants have the recycling schedule and guidelines along with the proper amount of marked cans.

    What's New?  New Jersey has made a commitment to reduce plastic pollution across the state.  First is "Skip the Straw," which began on November 4, 2021.  It mandates that food service businesses can only provide customers with single-use plastic straws upon request.  Second is "Bag up NJ," which begins on May 4 and bans the sale or use of single-use plastic carry-out bags from stores and food service businesses, and bans the use of single-use paper carryout bags at stores that are equal to or larger than 2500 square feet and also bans the use of polystyrene foam and food service products.  More information at www.nj.gov/dep/get-past-plastic. 

    Dog licensing.  Please come to The Borough Hall to get your dog licensed if you have not already done so.  NJ law requires dogs 7 months of age or older to be licensed by January 31st of each year or a late fee may be imposed.

    Smile.  You are at one of the most beautiful and friendly towns at the Jersey Shore.

    (To return to newsletter, click here.)


    For Summer Fun Everyday

    • ·      Enjoy the ocean and bay beach (25th street).  Friendly capable lifeguards cover our swimming areas.
    • ·      Handicapped access ramps and parking spaces are located at the 9th and 29th beach street ends.
    • ·      Trouble accessing the beach?  Call Borough Hall (609) 494-9196 to reserve a Beach Wheels chair.
    • ·      Play tennis free with a season beach badge or $10 an hour without a badge.  Get out your racket and make reservations at 11th street badge booth.
    • ·      Play pickleball with badge purchased at 11th street badge booth or Borough Hall.
    • ·      Get a book from the BLTA Little Library (front of post office) or Borough Hall community room.
    • ·      Cruise on evening boat ride or take an ecocruise around the bay.  Parasail.
    • ·      Fish in local waters, go day or night fishing on party or charter boats, rent a boat at a livery.
    • ·      Shop.  Support local businesses for unique gifts.  Save gas money.
    • ·      Eat.  Several food establishments have yummy food for dining and takeout.

    (To return to newsletter, click here.)