The BERKELEY Times Vol. 29 - No. 20
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Berkeley’s $100M Idea To Stop Flooding
November 4, 2023
New Book Provides Haunting Surprises About New Jersey
BREAKING NEWS @
Photo courtesy Waterways Commission jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 9
Community News Pages 10-14
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
This photo shows how tidal flooding is impacting shore communities. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The township is looking into federal funding to elevate a number of roads to prevent the flooding that seems to be happening more and more every year. It used to be that only low-lying areas would flood consistently. Locals tried to avoid these spots, but the people living on these roads would be inconvenienced every time there was a heavy rain. Some areas are close to the Toms River
or the Barnegat Bay, so they were prone to flooding from high tides. The town would respond by fixing problem spots when they could, but the flooding has become so common that perhaps a larger solution is needed. One particular area of contention is Bayview Avenue, Councilman James Byrnes said. The long road is surrounded by marsh and it floods frequently. “Every time it rains, we put a barricade up and
we lose an emergency route,” he said. This could compound issues. If a hurricane causes an evacuation, one of the main roads becomes flooded. He spoke to one of the congressmen that serves Berkeley, Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd), who told him that if Berkeley put a plan together, he would look for funding. “It could be a $100 million project,” Byrnes said. That’s why it would be a federal
cost rather than anything funded locally. Byrnes also said that County Commissioner Gary Quinn, a former mayor of Lacey, said his town might partner on it. Berkeley benefits from a volunteer Waterways Advisory Commission whose members inform the governing body on such things as if the lagoons are navigable. They have compiled an extensive report on the flooding. It’s co-chair, William McGrath, is a
(Flooding - See Page 4)
Photo courtesy Allen Sircy The cover of author Allen Sircy’s new book, “Ghost Stories & Graveyard Tales: New Jersey” is ready for some Halloween reading. By Bob Vosseller JERSEY SHORE – Don’t call author Allen Sircy a “ghost writer.” He is better known as an American “Hauntstorian” and he knows just how spooky the Garden State is. His new book, “Ghost Stories & Graveyard Tales: New Jersey” delves into the eerie and
enigmatic and it takes readers on a supernatural odyssey through the mysterious and haunted history of the Garden State, uncovering chilling stories and legends that defy explanation. The book isn’t just about ghosts however. The author maintains (Ghost Stories - See Page 5)
Retail To Be Allowed At Industrial Park
Photo courtesy Berkeley Township The buildings at the Berkeley Industrial Park will have limited retail capacity.
By Stephanie Faughnan BERKELEY – In a significant development for the Berkeley Industrial Park, restrictions that once prohibited any form of retail sales within the complex have been lifted.
The decision, approved by the local planning board, now grants tenants in the industrial park the opportunity to allocate up to twenty percent of their floor space for retail sales. This means that businesses that are approved
Quinn Hopping Funeral Home BURIALS | ENTOMBMENTS | CREMATIONS PRE-PLANNING without OBLIGATION Sara G. Toland, Manager • N.J. Lic. No. 4906
26 Mule Road, Toms River | 732-240-3800 | Quinn-HoppingFH.com
for permitted use in the zone can now also sell retail items, such as flooring, cabinets, plumbing supplies, and other wholesale goods. “We have worked extremely hard to attract development in our industrial park,” said
Mayor Carmen Amato. “After decades of failed tries, we now have a viable business park that has already attracted business. We are extremely proud of this.” Speaking on behalf of Berkeley Industrial Park at the planning board’s
October 19 meeting, Attorney Greg Hock highlighted the evolution of the circumstances leading to the application. “As part of the preliminary site plan approval that was granted in this case, there was some (Retail - See Page 5)
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