Pier Pressure in Avalon Manor: Water’s Scarce, Deadlines Near

COURT HOUSE – The crowd in the room for Middle Township Committee’s Aug. 3 meeting was far greater than the usual group of regulars who show up. By the time all rose for the pledge to the flag, over 40 residents had taken seats, drawn by the prospect of a public discussion of the township’s plans for the fishing pier in Avalon Manor.
The pier, which has been owned by the township since 2004, is deteriorating rapidly. Business Administrator Constance Mahon reminded all that the municipality is responsible first and foremost for the safety of citizens and visitors who frequent the pier.
“Something has to be done,” she said.  With this plan, we are trying to make “lemonade from a lemon.” 
Mahon began the public discussion with a brief presentation of the township’s concept plan for the pier. The pier, a remnant of the former road to Avalon, would be demolished, the bulkhead rebuilt, and a new pier would be built to replace the old one.
The new pier would go out the same distance but would have a dogleg to the left added which, in concept, would provide more area for fishermen. The width of the pier would be reduced from 50 feet to 25. 
The concept plan also stressed that the pier would be compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. This effort not only would allow the pier to be used comfortably by the disabled, but it is an essential component of the funding strategy for the project.
The township hopes to fund the almost $1-million project with two grants, one from the county Open Space program and another from a Small Cities program. A part of the township’s effort to seek Small City funding is the commitment to making the pier ADA compliant.
Mayor Timothy Donohue indicated that public support was important in the grant process and, for the most part, support is what he got. 
Those at the meeting did not express opposition to the plan, many welcomed it; but they voiced concerns that they hope would be addressed.
For a number of residents, concerns were about the impact of a more attractive pier on the community.
“This will bring more visitors,” many pointed out as they prefaced their worries about limited parking, speeding on the only access road, and vandalism at the pier. The need for additional security was a repeated theme along with the increased need for what Mahon called “traffic calming measures.”
She promised residents these concerns would be considered if the plan goes forward beyond the concept level. The township had not wanted to invest in more detailed planning until receiving word on its grant applications.
For the old-time fisherman, a different concern was front and center. “That dogleg going off to the left,” said Jim Chandler, “there’s no water there anymore. How are you going to fish with no water?”
Concerns were expressed about a large barge belonging to the neighboring marina and planted on a high mound of sand in the area where the conceptual plan’s picture rendering showed open bay water.
Dredging is also a significant issue if the project is to achieve the water depth necessary for successful fishing.
Donohue pointed out that the pier has been a problem “since I’ve been in office. Fix it, repair it, we need to do something.”
Both he and Mahon said the township has a good chance of getting the grant funding. Despite generally positive reactions to the pier project, residents did give the township a number of issues to consider if planning moves beyond the conceptual stage.
Of all the comments, the most basic was the complaint “There’s no water there.”
Dealing with that problem may involve more state agencies and the marina operator. One proposed solution was “take the pier further out into the channel.” 
Like so many of the other comments, the feasibility of such a proposal could not be assessed until more detailed planning is done. For now the emphasis is on meeting the fast-approaching deadlines for grant submissions.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.