Officials uncertain how to proceed, trying to determine number involved
PETERSBURG — Upper Township is eagerly awaiting its next beach replenishment project for the Strathmere section, where erosion has taken its toll on the northern part of the island.
In the meantime, the state wants timber piling exposed just north of Williams Avenue cut or removed and is asking for payment up front to do so.
Upper Township is set to get 586,000 cubic yards of sand with as much as 205,743 cubic yards in options as part of the Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet project.
According to an email from the state Department of Environmental Protection, Upper Township’s share of the cost is estimated at $1.45 million — about $1.3 million for the renourishment and $150,000 for additional work of cutting the timber groins.
That number is subject to change depending on bid prices and the work awarded. The state is in the process of drafting an aid agreement and will send provide it as soon as possible, the email stated.
Bid opening is scheduled for July 12 and the contract is expected to be awarded Aug. 1.
“The contract award was pushed back almost a month; however, with the environmental restrictions on the beaches and in the borrow areas (nesting birds and migratory fish), the renourishment would not have been able to start until mid to late August either way,” the email states.
Township Administrator Gary DeMarzo said May 22 that the state wants the township to pay to have the piling removed but contends that they would be covered by sand during the replenishment so there is no need to cut them.
“There’s a cost increase but it might be covered when we do the beach replenishment,” he said.
“Not might be, it will be,” Mayor Jay Newman replied, characterizing the piling as “stubs.”
Committeeman Curtis Corson said some of the piling are on state park property and the township should not have to pay for work on that portion of the project.
“I would like to know what our share is on just the ones on township property,” he said.
Committeeman Victor Nappen asked if the piling pose an obvious danger.
Corson said lifeguards marked them with a buoy last year and likely would do so again.
“Obviously if they are on township property, we assume liability if they are buried and get exposed again and a surfer hits them or something,” he said.
Newman said he feels it is quite a lot of money and would serve no purpose.
“If the beach goes up to how high that dune line is or elevates it, they are going to be covered by 4 to 5 feet of sand,” he said. “I don’t see the need to take those out,”
DeMarzo said no work would be done until after August anyway, so they would remain throughout this summer.
“It’s not like we’re spending $90,000 and it will be done tomorrow,” he said. “I advocate that we wait.”
Corson said they have time to try to determine how many are actually the township’s responsibility.
Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes said it’s hard to make a decision when the township’s financial obligation is not clear.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
