Summer 2014 is here! The Harvey Cedars Taxpayers Association has been busy over the winter. Last month on Memorial Day weekend we c0-sponsored our Annual Town- Wide Yard Sale with the Borough. The number of participating households were in line with past year’s households and we generated a lot of visitors into town. As always, we encourage you to keep this endeavor in mind for next year. Clean out your storage areas and make someone else’s day- one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! We have worked all winter on the 3inHC BLVD Safety initiative. A few highlights are: * The HCTA and our lead Trustee, Mike Songer have reached out to various safety and engineering organizations who have implemented or studied “4 to 3 Lane” changes and other “safe street” measures. These organizations have provided us information and data showing the safety benefits from a lane change, and addressing concerns by businesses and first responders on traffic issues.
* Mike has researched (and debunked) the various arguments presented by the Freeholders and those against the lane change. For example, the studies show that response time for the fireman and police actually decreases with a 3 lane configuration due to the open center lane.
* We have sought documents from the County and the Township to better understand their opposition to the lane change.
The Borough has a few reminders concerning safety. Additionally, the HCTA forwards the following information. If you are riding your bike through HC- you must ride WITH traffic. Walkers/joggers must travel FACING traffic. Anyone under 16 MUST wear a helmet when riding a bike. Bike owners can register their bikes with the HCPD-remember to use a lock when parking your bike. Last summer, a number of bikes were stolen from street beach entrances. Remember, there is no skateboarding on the BLVD and drivers- be alert for many pedestrians on the BLVD- especially youngsters when driving on the BLVD. For further information, please download this Blvd Safety Flyer prepared by Trustee Bob Dana. HCTA President Phil Kunz spoke to HC Mayor Jon Oldham this week and has a few updates: The Mayor is attending the meeting to discuss the Rutgers/Ocean Blasting study. The last dune access easement court case is being heard and the Mayor is looking forward to putting this issue behind him. HC is still awaiting the Sandy reimbursement funds from the state of NJ. The Mayor is working on a plan to beautify the area around the municiple yard fence. A phased plan as well as a gifting or naming plan is being developed in order to fund the project. Please keep an eye out for more information. If interested in helping please reach out to the Borough. Speaking of the Ocean Blasting: BL hosting EMERGENCY TOWN HALL MEETING 5pm Wednesday, July 2 Barnegat Light Fire Company 10 West 10th Street Barnegat Light, NJ 08006 OCEAN BLASTING IMMINENT OFF BARNEGAT BAY Join scientists, commercial and recreational fishing leaders, divers, elected officials, marine mammal protectors and other citizens to who care about the health of New Jersey marine life. Learn about the harm and risks of ocean blasting! As we verify more information on this issue we will send out information Thanks to our membership chair, Saul Ellman, the HCTA enjoyed another successful member drive. If you know of an HC taxpayer that would like to join our organization- please visit our website at www.hctax.org for further information. In other HC news, the Borough has instituted a trailer parking ban- be aware of the rules. Except for boat trailers, no trailers are allowed to be left/parked on Harvey Cedars streets to right of ways from 6pm until 6am year round. From 4/1 to 11/1, boat trailers may be parked on a paved street adjacent to the boat owner’s property for 2 weeks if pre-registered with the HCPD. While we are talking about boating, a municipal seasonal fee has been established for commercial use of the municipal boat ramp. Permits and fee information can be obtained at the Office of the Borough Clerk. As always, Non-commercial use of the municipal boat ramp requires a current beach badge. FYI- while the water tower is being painted-interior and exterior- water will be provided to HC residents by Barnegat Light. There will not be any service disruptions. The HCTA supports the Harvey Cedars Activities Committee fireworks funds collection and we want to help them in this effort. The fireworks show is NOT supported by tax dollars, but individual donations. Please consider making a donation and sending a check to: HCAC, PO Box 3185, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008. Finally, we would like to share information about HC’s new emergency notification system. It is called ‘Code Red’ and as in the past, the borough can notify residents of emergencies via a recored phone message. Verizon land phones are automatically registered. If your loans line in not provided by Verizon, you must register to get any messages. You can also sign up your cell phones- which we encourage. To sign up, please look for the “CODE RED” banner on the HC website: www.harveycedars.org. You may also visit the HCPD webpage for the same purpose at: www.hcpolice.org. You may sign up as many phone lines as you wish. You will only be called in emergencies or for an important message. As with the HCTA, your information will NOT be shared. Please mark your calendar for the HCTA Annual Member Meeting to be held at 10am on Saturday, Aug 23 at the the Highpoint Volunteer Fire Dept on West 80th St. It’s an opportunity to hear from your Trustees about the projects/initiatives we have been working on this past year and what is ahead of us. Members will also enjoy a Borough update from our Mayor, Jon Oldham with a Q & A session near the end of the meeting. On behalf of your HCTA Trustees- we wish you a wonderful summer here in Harvey Cedars!
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