The Coaster

By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Neptune City officials promised to move forward with the redevelopment of Steiner Avenue during their reorganization meeting Jan. 1.

Mayor Thomas Arnone also pledged to continue the productive upgrading of the borough.

“It takes time to accomplish,” he acknowledged.“We’re looking forward to 2009 being an eventful year.”

He noted the ongoing construction at the Shark River Plaza, which is one of the gateways to the community and the planned removal of the Golden Star Diner as welcome activities.

A small strip mall is planned at the diner site on Route 35.

Arnone also said the council will be working on continuing renovations to buildings on Third Avenue, and pointed to the new facade of the Post Office as an example.

He also said they are looking at improving the front of the Community Center.

The mayor also affirmed that he and the council will pursue redevelopment plans for the Steiner Avenue corridor.

“We are continuing the process,” he said. “We took a set back but we’re still moving forward.”

Arnone said a meeting is planned for the redevelopment team including himself, Borough Attorney Mark Aikins, Redevelopment Attorney Paul Fernicola and PRC Group, the planners for the original redevelopment project, who have agreed to stay on.

“They are sticking by us through some of these setbacks,” Arnone said.

In July a county judge ruled in favor of plaintiff Park Steel, which argued that the area is not blighted.

Arnone also said the plans for the demolition of East Coast Ice should be completed no later than March, although he is hoping to have the project completed in February. He said the $37,500 costs for the demolition will be reimbursed to the borough through a state grant.

Also at the meeting, James O’Connell was sworn in as the new Fire Chief, with Robert Reynolds taking over as assistant chief.

Danielle Pappas was sworn in as Captain of the First Aid squad for the third year in a row after members changed the by-laws to allow her to stay on.

“I love it – everybody wants me to keep on,” she said.

Previously the by-laws stipulated captains could only serve for two consecutive years, but the new change eliminated term limits.

Pappas, who works as a front end coordinator at Wegmans, has served a total of eight years as captain. She said her main focus will be on repairs to the First Aid building which she said needs major repairs.

Pappas said the building had been repaired in the past but the walls were not sealed properly allowing water and moisture to seep in. She estimated repairs may be as high as $30,000, but without them the building will fall apart.

“We’re going to lose the building,” she said.

A chicken and rib fund-raiser has been set for Feb. 21 at the first aid building.

Tickets for the event are $15.

Pappas said 2008 was a good year for the squad which added two new EMTs and purchased all new radios.

Also the borough fire department donated several oxygen masks for pets to the squad.

Mayor Arnone also said he will be looking into sharing services with other communities as a cost saving measure including the possibility of sharing police dispatch services.

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