Lifeguards Hired Late In Season

LAKEHURST – Despite only a few weeks left in the summer season, Borough officials were pleased to note the hiring of two lifeguards during the latest council meeting.

Patrick McKay and Evan Palmer were unanimously hired through a resolution during the council meeting. Councilman Robert McCarthy has been promoting the need for lifeguards at Horicon Lake since before the summer season. Officially, no swimming was permitted but the lake has been open and now the lifeguard chair will be occupied for the duration of the season.

Mayor Harry Robbins answered a resident’s question stating “the lake is open. It has been used and no tickets have been given out by the police. The police didn’t hassle people. The lake is open.”

Ordinances And Resolutions

Other resolutions passed included the contract renewal for Web Site Maintenance, the awarding of a contract for the 2024 New Jersey Department of Transportation funded Rose and Pine Street project and the appointment of special law enforcement officer III Michael Roth.

Officials also moved to authorize a Community Development Block Grant concerning improvements to Orange Street.

Approved ordinances on second reading concerned amending regulations on stormwater control in Pineland areas, Pinelands comprehensive plan and design and performance standards, water quality entitled land development. The second ordinance also amended borough code pertaining to stormwater control in accordance to updated Pinelands Commission regulations.

Property Matter

Joanne Edgar asked to be placed on the night’s agenda to discuss a property/parking matter that has impacted her life recently. Borough officials and professional staff heard her story but couldn’t help much other than to advise to her to consult with an attorney on the issue.

Edgar said “I’ve lived here in Lakehurst for 32 years. The people behind me purchased the property (on 500 Union Avenue) and they informed me they want to put up a six-foot-fence. That would go down my side of the driveway and would stop me from parking on my side of my property.”

She showed Mayor Harry Robbins and Borough Attorney Ian Goldman a copy of the map showing Lakeshore Drive.

“As I see it now it is not a road,” the attorney said noting that this property didn’t fall into the jurisdiction of the borough.

Edgar explained this issue has caused her neighbors to block her driveway. “There was no sidewalk or curbs when I moved in here.”

“You will need to speak to an attorney. There is nothing we can do about it,” Goldman said. He added that it was unclear “why the easement is there if it is a paper street. If there is some further digging I’m sure you will be able to learn that but we are not in a position to do anything.”

Goldman explained it was a paper street, which is a street that only exists on maps but isn’t an actual road. “There are paper streets all over the place. That is the property owner’s responsibility.”

Mayor Robbins says that he and the members of the council sympathized with her concerning the situation but that there was nothing the municipality could do. “Everyone at this table sympathizes with her position. Legally, we can’t event say grandfather clause.”

“Maybe your neighbor has made a mistake about the fence. This is not a conversation any of us should be having. We’re getting into legality and that is getting very linear,” Goldman added. “This is her responsibility. We’ll dig a deeper hole if we keep discussing it.”

Food Trucks And Fire Pits

The Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department will be presenting a special event called Food Trucks and Fire Pits from 5 to 8 p.m. on September 7 at Lake Horicon. The family friendly event will feature games for all ages, smores for sale, family activities, a 50/50 raffle and music. Attendees are urged to bring their own chairs.