New Jersey Back Bays Coastal Storm Risk Management Study Released

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released the Interim Report for the New Jersey Back Bays Coastal Storm Risk Management Study. The objective of the study is to investigate problems and solutions to reduce damages from coastal flooding that affect population, critical infrastructure, property, and ecosystems.

The document describes the engineering, economic, social and environmental analyses conducted to date and provides an array of alternative plans.  These plans and future study analyses are expected to result in the selection of a recommended plan for the region while minimizing environmental, social and economic impacts.  Alternatives under consideration include structural solutions such as storm surge barriers, tide gates, levees, and floodwalls; non-structural solutions such as elevation of homes; and nature-based features such as marsh restoration and the creation of living shorelines.

At the request of the LBI Joint Council of Taxpayers (JCTA), we are sharing this information.  NBTA members can access the interim report and additional info from a March 14th Army Corps webinar at:

Army Corps and NJ Department of Environmental Protection news releases can be found at:

The formal comment period ends on April 1st, however comments will be accepted after that date.  

Comments by email: PDPA-NAP@usace.army.mil

Comments in writing:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Planning Division
Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square E.
Philadelphia PA 19107

Peter Trainor will be coordinating a response for the JCTA .  You can also forward your comments to him at: crabcake@comcast.net.

 

We Have to Get a Pumpkin? Already?

It’s hard to believe that Fall is upon us.  We hope you were able to enjoy time on our island with family and friends.  If you were on the beach on Friday, August 24th a few tracts north of the public beach access at 1065, you were treated to a great North Beach water show put on by a humpback whale and a few dozen dolphin.  The whale breached a number of times after circling a large bait school before eventually heading south.

However, if you didn’t see this firsthand, you can see happenings like this and other examples of our unique island by following “READINGS FROM THE NORTHSIDE”.  READINGS is a product of North Beach resident Jim Verhagen and in Jim’s own words:

“I take daily readings of the beach & ocean conditions on the North End of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. I do this primarily for the amusement of my family, but have created this blog to share my morning readings with you. Common readings include water temp, temp, wind, fly, wind fly (is the wind strong enough to blow the files away), shell report, umbrella wind (is the wind strong enough to blow your umbrella away), wildlife, pirate, and many more. I take requests.”

Jim’s passion for LBI is featured prominently in the first episode of Season 2 of ‘Just Beneath the Surface’ – a web series focusing on the sustainable tourism on Long Beach Island and the surrounding area.

A quick internet search for “Readings from the Northside” and “Just Beneath the Surface” leads to some wonderful information about our beautiful island and those who are proud to call it home.

 

 

Property Re-Valuation – October 2018 Update

At our July meeting, Mayor Mancini said later this year, the Township (LBT) will be conducting a re-valuation of all real property in LBT.  Appraisal Systems of Morristown, NJ was awarded the contract.  While the timing has not been finalized, the study could begin around November of this year and is expected to take 9 months to complete.  The last LBT property re-valuation was completed in 1996.

As of two weeks ago, the Township was still working on updating the tax maps.  The tax maps must be updated and approved by the State of New Jersey prior to proceeding.  Long Beach Township has therefore applied for an extension of the deadline for completion of the re-assessment. The Township has proposed to start and finish the re-assessment in 2019 and any changes as a result of the re-assessment would be effective in the 2020 tax year.  Ocean County has approved extension request and it is under review by the State. However, it is not known when the State will take any action. Stay tuned.

Up Coming Events

Mark Your Calendar

  • Our 2019 membership meetings are scheduled for Saturday, June 29th and Saturday, September 7th.  In an effort to increase attendance, our June 29th meeting will be a morning meeting.  Notices will be posted.
  • The current schedule of the Causeway Bridge construction calls for a 2022 completion date.
  • Roadwork re-aligning the Ship Bottom Circle has a 2020 completion date.

‘Shore Tax’ on Online Rentals Targets Rent-It-Yourself Homeowners

File Photo by: Ryan Morrill
Currently the law requires private homeowners renting out space for less than 90 consecutive days to register with the state and collect the taxes.

A new state tax on short-term rentals done through private owners and online marketplaces, set to go into effect Oct. 1, is facing enough opposition that some sources say its enforcement may be delayed – and amid discussions, a web page for required registration by private owners has been taken offline.

Leading a charge for revision and clarification of the law is Duane Watlington, founder of VRLBI (Vacation Rentals Long Beach Island).

Watlington was interviewed Tuesday morning by News 12 New Jersey television, saying the 11.6 percent levy on transient rentals could hurt tourism and “cut out a significant amount of vacationers’ budget” that they could spend locally.

First, it should be made clear that shore rentals where the keys are provided through a Realtor are exempt.

The new law is PL 2018, Chapter 49, based on Assembly Bill 1753 and Senate Bill 749, which imposes the state sales and use tax (6.625 percent) and hotel and motel occupancy fee (5 percent) on transient accommodations and authorizing municipal taxes and fees on transient accommodations.

The intent of earlier “Airbnb” legislation was to tax online bookings, but it was not to include private homeowners. However, the version that passed on July 1 does, Watlington noted last week.

It requires private homeowners renting out space for less than 90 consecutive days to register with the state and collect the taxes.

The way the law is written, a “private residential property” is included in the taxation unless a key or access to a keyless locking mechanism are provided by a licensed real estate broker.

Also, the law requires registration with the state Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services if the private homeowners rent the accommodation themselves.

VRLBI is a listing website that does not do bookings, so it is not included in the law, but sites like Airbnb and VRBO are affected and would have to collect the new tax from customers.

Watlington said that by contacting legislators on behalf of his company and clients, “we’re not mad at the Realtors,” but the goal is to find a solution whereby the affected homeowners don’t have to pay a tax.

“In a free market, if you as an owner want to rent your house out on your own and take care of all the leases and collecting payments, you have every right to do so; you shouldn’t feel forced to now have to use a Realtor so you can save your guests almost 12 percent in sales tax,” he said.

“My big beef is that I want the ‘for rent by owners to be treated the same way as those who choose to use a Realtor. What is the reason that renting through a Realtor makes you tax-exempt?” He feels the state is “unevenly applying the tax statute by doing that.”

After meeting with state Assembly Deputy Speaker Wayne D’Angelo in his home district of Middlesex-Mercer Sept. 18, Watlington feels “our voices are being heard.”

The New Jersey Division of Taxation has removed an interpretation of the law, he said Monday. “They put out a taxpayer bulletin, TB 81, that had all the instructions to follow the law, and they took that down last Tuesday. The link to register is not active anymore, either, even if you wanted to register.”

D’Angelo’s “office has agreed to take on getting a clarification from the state of New Jersey Division of Taxation with regards to their interpretation of the bill,” Watlington announced. “He’s also trying to get a delay in the starting of enforcement of it for later in the year or early next year so we can sort out the clarification.”

State Sen. Robert W. Singer (R-30th), deputy minority leader, was quoted this week as saying the rule is “still under discussion.”

Channel 12 news also stated it was told by legislators the law might not go to enforcement because of backlash and vagueness surrounding it.

At any rate, the discussion around the law is occurring daily this week as Oct. 1 approaches.

If those reading this are scratching their heads, they can join a slew of others at all levels.

The law passed July 1 “in the hectic final hours of the budget negotiations,” a columnist for the Star-Ledger described. That seasoned writer added that the law is “so convoluted that it took me two pots of coffee and several hours on the phone with legislators to figure it out.”

In major media, the law has been tagged the “shore tax.” Until days ago, as the Oct. 1 start date neared, many people hadn’t heard about it. “Most of the public doesn’t know about it,” Watlington said last week.

Meanwhile, if the law does not change, for-rent-by-owner cases might be able to use a loophole whereby the lessee can pick up the keys or key code from an offsite New Jersey licensed real estate broker and avoid the tax.

“A lot of forward-thinking agents are saying, ‘we’ll do a key service so people cannot have to collect this tax,’” Watlington said last week. He mentioned Roberta Brackman of Pacesetter Realty in North Beach Haven and Manahawkin at the forefront of this solution.

Brackman told The SandPaper Tuesday, “When we first read this law it became clear that it was not going to be good for our Island. Those who rent homes here would have significantly less money available to spend on enjoying our Island and supporting Island businesses after paying this tax.”

She continued, “In an effort to offer homeowners an option that might allow them not to have to charge the tax to their tenants (at least by the letter of the law as it its currently written), we added to our traditional vacation rental services and decided to offer homeowners certain property management services, including a key distribution service. For this service alone we are charging homeowners a nominal fee of $25 per key distributed.”

Watlington sent a notification to VRLBI’s 800-plus vacation homeowners asking them to contact legislators in their home and vacation district. Also, he said he is working with the local chamber of commerce to ask for a more favorable interpretation from the Division of Taxation.

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Lori Pepenella is also second vice president of the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association. She told The SandPaper last week that “we have been monitoring the bill since its introduction, and have been keeping Southern Ocean Chamber members informed.”

mariascandale@thesandpaper.net

Lotus Project Presents Free 10-Session ‘Series of Self’

For 10 Participants, October to March in Surf City

This fall, the Lotus Project introduces a new series of workshops called Series of Self, created by family therapist Meghan Delaney, in collaboration with LBI Community Yoga.

The Lotus Project is a nonprofit charitable organization that offers a voice through creative expression for individuals loving a person struggling with substance use disorder. Chief among its principles are self-care, wellness, comfort and empowerment.

The 10-workshop journey of self-discovery begins Oct. 10 with “Breaking the Stigma” of mental illness with an art wellness activity. It will continue on select Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Yoga Bohemia (609-389-9306) in Surf City: Oct. 24, Nov. 7 and 28, Dec. 5 and 19, Jan. 9 and 23, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 6.

Participants will gain a healthier sense of self through art, yoga and mindfulness. The Series of Self will focus on core values, forgiveness, boundaries, compassion, self-love, self-respect and self-care. The series is free for any women or men needing support and encouragement for a peaceful mindset. Space is limited to 10 people. Attendance at all 10 workshops is not required but strongly encouraged.

“The creation of this series is serendipitous,” according to Lotus Project founder Amy Carreño. It honors the memory of Surf City’s Jennifer Bryceland, an avid supporter of local art and yoga, whose suicide this summer shocked and saddened the communities in which she played a vital part. That, combined with other recent suicides of public figures such as Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, inspired the idea that “we need to provide a safe outlet for people struggling with their sense of self.” Series of Self grew out of a conversation had by Carreño, Delaney and Liz Law of LBI Community Yoga.

“Being back in this area, I have realized two things: there are so many incredible people around and there is a shortage of mental health services and peer support for mental health,” Delaney said. “My goal is to get this community to start talking about the importance of their own mental health. This series will support you in looking inwards in hopes of bringing understanding and healing.”  —V.F.

Huge Harvey Cedars Award

In a decision that could have far-reaching implications for beach replenishment efforts along the Jersey shore, a state appeals court panel Monday upheld a hefty award for a Harvey Cedars couple who contended that building dunes to restore the beach diminished the value of their oceanfront home. The $375,000 jury award to Harvey and Phyllis Karan is the largest of all the cases where beachfront property owners clashed with officials in the affluent Ocean County borough on Long Beach Island and likely could mean trouble for future beach replenishment projects, experts said. “There is a very strong likelihood this will end beach replenishment as we know it in the state,” said Lawrence Shapiro, the Ocean Township attorney representing Harvey Cedars. “People will see a money grab. People may say `I’m not going to give an easement because I could get money.’” In dire need of wider beaches for storm protection, Harvey Cedars joined with the state Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a $25 million beach replenishment project that built 22-foot high dunes on the oceanfront in 2009 and 2010. As part of the project, Harvey Cedars was required to obtain 82 easements from the oceanfront homeowners. Shapiro said the borough had trouble getting most of the easements after offering homeowners $300 each. The borough moved to condemn 15 of the easements, prompting three unresolved court cases, Shapiro said. About five of the condemnation cases settled for a “substantial” amount, in the range of $150,000 to $160,000, Shapiro and Mayor Jonathan Oldham said. The Karans said they lost value in their home, which is assessed at $1.7 million, because the dunes block most of their “formerly spectacular ocean view.” They wanted $500,000; the borough’s real estate expert, as he did in the other cases, said the loss was worth $300. Harvey Cedars, a town with 337 year-round residents and a $2.9 million budget, set aside $1.1 million for its share of the beach replenishment project but would be on the hook for another $500,000 to pay for the easements, Shapiro said. In the Loveladies and North Beach sections of town, where the lots are bigger than those in Harvey Cedars, jury awards in those cases would likely be higher than the Karans’, he said. Trenton Times 3/27/2012