By WILLIAM CLARK
Last week’s storm left damage on streets and basements throughout the area. Even the brand new pier in Ocean Grove was not spared.
At the Neptune Township Committee meeting this week Business Administrator Gina LaPlaca said the one of the pilings of the pier had cracked during the onslaught of rain and waves the beach took recently.
Although the pier was built and is owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, LaPlaca said the township was informed about concerns that people had.
In response, Avakian Engineers were asked to judge the extent of the cracks in the piling and assess the integrity of the pier moving forward.
Engineers “went out on Sunday evening to take a look and observed that one pile had cracked,” she said.
Although under no obligation to the township, Avakian “as a courtesy, Avakian was kind enough to provide an update to the township [on Monday]. They state that the pier is structurally stable and that a contractor is coming back to add support to that particular pile that’s been damaged.”
LaPlaca said that until repairs are made, Avakian will continue to monitor the pier to ensure it remains safe for use.
Mayor Keith Cafferty said the township will be reaching out to the state regarding what inspections were done on the six month old structure even though the pier is not under township ownership and jurisdiction.
Last week’s storm saw more than nine inches of rainfall in the area while beaches were pummeled with large waves.
The pier project, which was built with half a million dollars in funds from the American Treasure fundraiser, was completed earlier this year. Its shape has been a source of conflict due to it resembling a Christian cross.
Engineer Leon Avakian said during the dedication that the design of the pier was meant to safeguard it from the damaging effects of storms. Some of the features include a grated deck and rise in elevation as it reaches the ocean.