BAY HEAD — The borough council met on Monday, May 1 and adopted two ordinances that both assist pedestrians and give them an opportunity to safely travel through Bay Head. Public hearings were held for each measure and both were adopted unanimously.
The first ordinance amends the streets-and-sidewalks code to provide a pedestrian safety fund.
During the public hearing, Bay Head resident Richard Mcgoey asked the council what the fund was for and how much money was being put into it.
“If you are doing brand new construction or a significant addition or renovation…the borough engineer will evaluate if you need to put sidewalks in front of your home,” said Borough Administrator Frank Pannucci. “But if you live in an area where no one else has sidewalks in front of their home or where it won’t look right, the borough engineer will then say you can put into the pedestrian safety fund instead of putting the sidewalk in front of your home. That money can then be used for sidewalks…it comes in very handy.”
The next ordinance amended the vehicles-and-traffic code. The purpose of the change is to help alleviate problems created by motorized bikes and scooters and create rules and guidelines for those who use them.
Bay Head resident Shannon Curtis asked Councilwoman Jennifer Barnes-Gambert what the exact changes were being made to the rules.
“Section B4, the section about helmets was changed to say that minors aged 15 and 16 are not permitted to operate a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter unless they wear a protective helmet,” said Councilwoman Barned-Gambert. “Then in section B5, riding on sidewalks and walking paths, now reads that no person shall ride or operate a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter upon a sidewalk or walking path.”
Another ordinance was supposed to be introduced, amending the “Obstruction of Justice” municipal code. But Borough Attorney Jean Cipriani removed the item from the agenda, wishing to further review the ordinance.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
During the committee reports, Councilwoman Holly MacPherson discussed the new clocktower project that has begun in front of the municipal building. She said the tower needed to be fixed up and painted due to its old age. Two trees were also removed from the area, to allow room for expansion and were rehomed out by the tennis courts.
“We are rebuilding the clocktower area, which will be really nice for the summer,” said Ms. MacPherson. “We are building our garden planters and we will be replanting them…we are getting our pavers refurbished and our clock painted. It will be a really pretty area with four benches instead of two and we will have a nice shiny sign out there with all of our activities.”
She also touched on the summer calendar for Bay Head, which is filled with activities for the Mayors Wellness program, pickleball coaching sessions and the return of the Summer STEM camp.
During the public comment session, resident Britta Forsberg also expressed her excitement in the hopes of expanding the program to include sailing protocols and bay awareness.
“We have our summer STEM program for Save Barnegat Bay which is a nice science camp that the kids will be able to sign up for on Tuesdays,” said Ms. MacPherson. “We have a lot of events planned and we do need volunteers.”
The public works report was given by Councilwoman Diane Cornell and touched on the placing of more Memory Benches throughout the borough as well as road pavement projects being moved to the fall.
The next council meeting will take place on Monday, June 5 at 7 p.m.
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