Councilman Refutes Opposition’s Claims About Beach Drive Sidewalk Project

VILLAS – The April 12 Lower Township Council meeting featured Ward 1 Councilman Thomas Conrad seeking to set the record straight on some statements made at the last meeting regarding the Beach Drive sidewalk project. 
Those statements, he feels, were incorrectly made by residents opposing the controversial project. Conrad cited someone who asserted that the newly-constructed beach access points were causing more sand loss problems than if the access points had not been constructed.
Conrad said that he made two surveys of those access points last week. “I saw not one point that had an issue with sand,” he added. He noted that there were instances of wind-blown sand accumulations in areas where the dunes were high, and not at the access points.
Conrad also criticized the residents and organizations that were opposed to the sidewalk project because, according to him, the plans for the project have been maintained in the clerk’s office for public inspection since 2013. “Not one person” has viewed those plans, he stated.
“There are no piers, lights, lifeguard stations, amusement rides or parking areas in the plan, and there never were such plans,” he said. Conrad repeated that the project is a safety initiative and is designed to safeguard pedestrians, bikers, and motorists. Also, it is to strengthen the dunes to protect the coastline into the future. Conrad cited many residents and groups who “use rumors, falsehoods and fear” to misrepresent the facts about this project.
Township Administrator James Ridgway added that there were complaints that the residents were not given the required notifications about this project before proceeding.
Ridgway stated that no written notice to neighbors in the immediate area is required at the time of the grant application; the required public notice was published in the Star and Wave to satisfy notification requirements.
Councilman David Perry stated that he had received many calls and personal thank-you comments from residents for “having the courage to do this (project) before something happens.”
Speed Limits
A discussion about the speed limits on Bayshore Road between Townbank and Breakwater roads produced a serious criticism of county speed zones.
One side of Bayshore has a 50 mph speed, while the same road going the opposite direction has a 35 mph limit. The council promised to work with freeholders to rectify the speed problem in the area of Roseanne Avenue and Bayshore Road.