Spring message from the Strathmere Improvement Association

In this issue: Signs of Spring (Summer?); New Firehouse Look; Twisties' Progress; Bayview Drive Reconstruction;
SFEC Legislative Forum; Beachcam; Schiavo Library; School Budget Election; Trash Rules; SIA Planning

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To all Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors, Hello! This is our first newsletter since we sent out Christmas and Holiday greetings, so we'll try to bring you up to date on the signs here of Spring...

Yesterday (Wednesday, April 7), the temperature in Strathmere shot up to 81! Then in mid-afternoon the wind shifted to the south (off the 47-degree ocean) and by dinnertime the temperature had dropped back down below 60. Today at lunchtime it's not yet gone back above 60.

If you have not visited Strathmere since the winter snowstorms, please note that the snow, ice and wind brought down many service wires to homes. Rather than repair these, both Verizon and Comcast have simply cut the wires at pole and house, so when you return you may not have (landline) telephone and/or cable service.
The trailers are returning to the Ocean Beach Trailer Resort:

Mildred's is now open on weekends:

and the Deauville will go back to a seven-day schedule at the beginning of May (they are now closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

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Next, our Firehouse has a "new look". Here's both an old and a new view...

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Work on Twisties continues, despite an unbelievable amount of high water on Bayview Drive this winter. The bar, the house (kitchen) and the shed have all been moved back onto new pilings. Pilings have been driven for the handicapped ramp in the front and south side (they've been cut down lower than this picture shows) and for the fire door exit on the north side. Finally, pilings are also in for the raised deck in front of the bar. The gray primer color will be painted the traditional red. Twisties is planning to open the week before Memorial Day.

Speaking of Bayview Drive, we continue to hear resident concerns about the resurfacing project by Upper Township. We had an e-mail discussion with Township Engineer Paul Dietrich to learn the latest thinking.

First of all, this project is now in a holding pattern as are all major capital projects as a result of current budget constraints. It is possible the Township will "bond" this work instead of putting it in the regular budget, but the timeline is unclear.

Second, it looks like instead of beginning at the boat ramp end of Bayview, the reconstruction will probably start with the portion between Tecumseh and Webster, where drainage problems are the worst.

Third, it is unclear just how much the road can be raised, but it will only be several inches at most . It will depend upon how much grading will be required at side streets and with property owners' driveways.

Finally, the street reconstruction will not require homeowners to do anything like add new sidewalks at existing homes; that is only required with new home construction.

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On March 13, the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club www.strathmerefishing.org/  held its annual Legislative Forum on fishing issues at the Firehouse. There was a great turnout despite the flood tides that day.
Shown below, left to right, are Congressman Frank LoBiondo, Assemblyman Nelson Albano, Assemblyman Matt Milam, State Senator Jeff Van Drew, Captain Adam Nowalsky, Chairman of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) of New Jersey and Captain Tony Bogan, Member of Executive Committee of the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund (SSFFF).

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Ed Tettemer has asked us to let you know that the beach webcam on the "Octagon" is back up and running after a few weeks of technical difficulties. Also, there's a new birdhouse worth keeping an eye on (and he would love to see someone move into it). Visit http://www.strathmere.tv/

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Over the winter, the Schiavo Library -  http://www.strathmerelibrary.org/  has about doubled the number of books available for your pleasure. Stop in at the library to see!

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The School Budget Election will be held on Tuesday, April 20. The Upper Township School Board is proposing a tax increase of 4% (the maximum permitted by the State) and is also proposing construction of a new school. A 4% increase would mean a $454 annual increase for a home assessed at $1 million (going from school taxes of $11,350 to $11,804).

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Trash Regulations for Upper Township may be found here: www.uppertownship.com/Road_Dept/bulk_trash_2010.html  With the availability of all this information on the Internet, we are trying to come up with some abbreviated version that will save printing costs and actually be useful on your Strathmere refrigerator!

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The SIA Officers will hold a planning session for the coming year on April 24. If you have ideas you think we should consider, or would like to volunteer to chair a committee targeting some area that needs improvement, please let us know before then by responding to this e-mail message.


Please note that all previous SIA newsletters may be found at: http://strathmere.blogspot.com/search/label/Strathmere%20Improvement%20Association
Please contat the SIA directly at - sia6@comcast.net

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The Strathmere Improvement Association includes all owners in Strathmere and Whale Beach and many visitors. It was founded over 50 years ago as a community organization with the simple objective of making Strathmere a better place. We are proud of the organization's many accomplishments over the years.

Once again, thanks for your continuing support!

Butch Vandegrift - President
Ken Weaver - Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Debbie Vandegrift - Secretary