Organic Farm Market to Open Wednesdays at Giamano’s
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Residents of Bradley Beach will soon be able to start buying fresh organic produce on Main Street.
At its Tuesday night meeting, Borough Council approved Steffan Mannos request to operate a Jersey Fresh Organic Farm Market in the parking lot of his Main Street restaurant, Giamanos.
The market will be open every Wednesday through Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in June.
Manno said he purchases produce from the company that will be providing the fruits and vegetables and said a refrigeration truck would be at the site.
He will have more than enough not to run out, Manno said. He has a refrigeration truck.
Manno said the market will be similar to the West End Farmers Market in Long Branch.
He hopes to sell fresh flowers and plants, baked goods and cheeses and Italian bread.
Councilwoman Julie Schreck discussed the removal of a stage in Riley Park that was used last summer for concerts.
Police Chief Leonard Guida said the stage was taken down because children were skateboarding on it and it was being damaged and presented a hazard.
Council discussed entering an interlocal agreement with Wall Township to share a stage for special events.
A lengthy discussion also took place regarding whether or not Main Street should be closed to traffic during concerts in the park.
The next concert is set for June 14, featuring the Belmonts, Larry Chance and the Earls. It begins at 7 p.m.
Guida said he is opposed to closing the street.
Its not necessary, he said.
Tourism director Ray Tutela said safety and crowd control are the issues.
She said she would not want to see a mother with small children pushing a stroller have one of the children run into the street if they are attracted by the music.
Tutela said she spoke to businesses across the street from Riley Park who enjoyed the concerts and were in favor of the street being closed.
They loved it, they made money, she said.
Schreck said she was in favor of closing the street.
It was a nice community event, she said of last years concert.
Sean Ryan, owner of Fins restaurant on Main Street, asked council to install two 15 minute parking spaces in front of his store for unloading supplies.
Council President Thomas Volante, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Mayor Stephen Schueler, said allowing a loading zone for one business would open the possibility of all businesses asking for one.
Its a good idea for you, but if we give it to you, other stores will want the same thing.
Chief Guida added, We need loading zones in town, but we dont have the room.
Ryan said he understood councils position but said he brought it up to open a discussion of the issue.
Because Main Street is a state road the Department of Transportation would have to investigate and approve changes to the parking regulations.
Council also approved a request by the Bradley Beach Environmental Commission to have the department of public works excavate a site at the elementary school to install a rain garden.
Public Works Supervisor Richard Bianchi said his department will have to remove some asphalt and soil from the area.
Rain gardens are constructed to absorb and manage storm water and filter it before it ends up in public waterways.
The project will not start until school is let out for the summer.
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