Bradley Beach Moves Forward On Grant for Lakeside Park
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
The Bradley Beach Borough Council has agreed to move forward on a grant application for improvements to Lake Terrace Park.
Major improvements include replacing raised and damaged sidewalks along Lake Terrace, Madison Avenue and Fletcher Lake Boulevard and installing a sprinkler system in the open play area.
Janet MacInnes, who had previously donated money for improvements to the park, attended Tuesday’s meeting and said she would be willing to donate more funds if the project does in fact move forward.
MacInnes said when she donated money after the death of her husband six years ago she requested the park be dedicated to him.
Watson MacInnes was a long time member of the Fire and First Aid in the borough. He worked with the borough engineer to design and make suggestions for the improvements.
The borough has collected $20,000 for Lake Terrace Park and will apply for $20,000 for the matching grant.
The borough discussed the proposed improvements which total $54,700.
Other improvements include additional tables and benches, a new walkway, replacement of damaged etching around play equipment and handicapped accessible ramps.
MacInnes said she wanted three flag poles erected in the park, one for the American Flag, one for the Fire Department Flag and one for the First Aid Squad.
MacInnes also said she may be willing to help pay for maintenance costs for the park when it is completed.
The grant application deadline is Sept. 17.
Council President Lori Marchak-Ortiz reported on beach revenues and said the borough brought in $61,000 more than anticipated, with $992,000.
The number of day trippers declined this season to 98,000, but Marchak-Ortiz said the implementation of unisex badges for the first time did not negatively impact sales.
“The unisex badges did not hurt us one bit,” she said.
The council president also commended the lifeguards for their bravery rescuing swimmers in last week’s turbulent seas.
Council also approved a request from Anne Beckert, director of A Chance to Dance, to rent the recreation center for lessons.
Beckert had been working as a borough employee at $25 per hour but will now be paid per student.
Council agreed to allow Beckert to rent the recreation center for $100 per each six week session, over a period of six months.
Mayor Julie Schreck thanked borough lifeguards for their hard work in rescuing numerous swimmers following Tropical Storm Hanna.
“It was very stressful and very dangerous. It’s thankless and difficult, and I respect it.”
Schreck said she knows people sometimes become belligerent with lifeguards making their jobs even more difficult.
“The same people who cursed at the lifeguards at 4 o’clock were being pulled out of the water at 5:30.”
Allan Quixley, chairman of the Fletcher Lake Committee, said he and others from the borough have made an appeal to the county regarding changing the recently issued FEMA maps.
Quixley said because of the work done at the lake and the new storm scepters and outfall pipe, flooding will be reduced and some residents who may have needed flood insurance in the past, may not need it now.
Schreck also reported that she has taken the emergency warning siren out of use following complaints from residents.
“People were coming to me in tears and in rage,” she said. “They feel like they can’t live in their own homes.”
The siren’s volume had been reduced by 50 percent over the past month, but Schreck said it is still not acceptable to residents living near by.
The mayor said most of the calls coming through were first aid calls.
Schreck said the siren should be tested weekly and could still be used for major emergency events.
Councilman Norman Goldfarb reported that open recreation has opened at the Rec Center from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students must register to attend.
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