By PETE WALTON
Bradley Beach is scrapping plans to ban swimming at its beaches when no lifeguards are present.
Managers at the joint insurance fund in which the borough participates had suggested that the municipality could take the action to reduce its legal exposure.
But Borough Attorney Marguerite Schaffer said that Bradley Beach can remain in the joint insurance fund and will not see its premiums increase if it continues its present policy.
Though it has not yet been specified in its ordinances, the borough currently tells would-be ocean bathers that they swim at their own risk when guards are not present.
Schaffer and borough officials will craft a revised update to the beach ordinance for future consideration.
At its meeting earlier this week, the Borough Council gave its consent to a state plan designating a 56-foot loading zone on Main Street across from Riley Park.
Main Street in the borough is New Jersey Route 71 and is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Transportation.
Parking will be permitted in the loading zone after 6 p.m. with a two-hour limit. The loading zone restriction begins at 8 a.m. daily.
Mayor Gary Engelstad said he will ask the DOT to meet with local officials to discuss the borough’s downtown parking crunch.
The council heard a presentation from the borough’s Memorial Day Committee, which is ending its two-year relationship with Spark Market Solutions of Red Bank.
Schaffer will work with the committee to formulate a request for proposals from companies interested in working with the borough on its Memorial Day events.
The committee wants potential bidders to propose a package of two events covering Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Committee member George Bachar said the Memorial Day events have provided $234,600 for borough organizations since 2008.
Part of the proceeds from the 2018 event will help fund the purchase of multi-use bags which can be used when the borough’s plastic bag ban goes into effect on Jan. 1.
The council tabled approval of a 10-year agreement with Cross River Fiber of Morristown for further consideration after objections were raised by several residents.
The proposed agreement does not provide for any compensation to the borough in exchange for access to the public right-of-way.
Engelstad appointed the dissenting members of the public to an informal committee which will work with Schaffer to improve the proposed agreement.
The council approved a change order for recent improvements at Riley Park, decreasing the cost of the project by $7,470.
