HIGH BAR HARBOR TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
WWW.HIGHBARHARBOR.COM
P.O. BOX 581 BARNEGAT LIGHT NJ, 08006
HIGH BAR HARBOR TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
WWW.HIGHBARHARBOR.COM
P.O. BOX 581 BARNEGAT LIGHT NJ, 08006
HBHTA ANNUAL MEETING
Our meeting was held on June 30,2007 at the Barnegat Light firehouse.
Our guests, Mayor Diane Gove, Commissioner Robert Palmer and Commissioner Ralph Bayard addressed the following issues:
*Long Beach Township Beaches
*Water Conservation
*Recycling
*The Township website is being improved www.longbeachtownship.com
*TV channel 22 and Radio station 1670 are also a good source for Township information.
Treasurer Ken Hook reported we are in pretty good financial shape. Ken suggested that if residents see areas in the community where improvements might be made contact our officers and trustees.
Randy Waterfield, chairman of the nominating Committee, then introduced the slate of new officers for the next three year term. President- Laura Preidel, Vice President- Ron Chafee, Treasurer- Susan Saltstein, and Secretary- Lynn Maier.
President King then introduced our new officers and thanked all outgoing officers Vice President Len Dileo, Treasurer Ken Hook and Secretary Dick Doyle for their conscientious work. President King then received a standing ovation for the wonderful job he has done for the past six years.
The meeting was followed by a “social hour”with over 100 people in attendance a fun time was had by all.
ANNUAL BOAT PARADE
The annual boat parade was canceled this year due to the weather (high winds).
We are hoping to have better weather and a great turnout next year. Suggestions for boat themes are welcome.
TRUSTEES MEETING
A meeting of your officers and trustees was held on September 7 with the following accomplishments:
* Laura Preidel our new President will be working on our current website to make it more interactive www.highbarharbor.com
*Keeping our Bay clean and safe
* Reclam the bay
*School Taxes
*High Bar Harbor flags and t-shirts . Only a few flags remain, and we would like input on a new High Bar Harbor t-shirt. Call or email Laura Preidel for a flag and t-shirt ideas 609-731-6211 laurap@pruzack.com
*Boating safety and boating classes.
SAVE THE BAY
Our Bay is sick the problem is nitrogen. For decades, increasing amounts of the basic chemical have been accumulating here, setting off a cascade of change. Nitrogen is a key component of fertilizer, and it has the same effect in water that it does on land: it makes plants grow. In the bay, it causes algae blooms so thick that they shade and kill the sea grass beds below. Grass drives the bay's ecosystem, everything from crabs to flounder. Shellfish have declined precipitously. There are ways we can help keep the bay clean.
*Don't throw your fish scraps in the lagoons or bay.
*Don't throw waste of any kind in lagoons and the bay, and pick up after your pets.
*Don't feed the ducks or geese.
*Check all chemicals you use for cleaning and lawn maintenance.
* Don't forget our street water drains out to the bay.
To read more on this important issue go to http://go.philly.com/earth
RECLAM THE BAY SUBMITTED BY STANLEY HAVILAND
One activity that is underway to help the ailing bay is called ReClam the Bay (RCTB). You may have seen their Giant Clams around the island. This group is raising baby clams and oysters that will be distributed around the bay. Clams are filter feeders. They feed on the elements found in bay water by processing water through their bodies. An adult clam will process about 10 gallons a day! Clams improve the water quality by removing nitrogen, as well as lowering bacterial counts and diminishing algae blooms. They filter silt from the water, which lowers turbidity and allows better light penetration. This helps oxygenate deeper water and can improve eelgrass survival. The clams are being raised at six locations around the bay. Locally, there is a nursery (referred to as Upwellers, since the water flows from the bottom of the container and out the top) next to the boat launch in Barnegat Light (looks like an unfinished hot tub). On Mondays, around 1:30 P.M., the upwellers are removed and the clams and upwellers are given a good cleaning. Several of our HBH neighbors are volunteers. Feel free to stop by, this activity continues through November at which time the clams will be distributed in protected areas of the bay where they will continue to do their good work.
JOINT TAX PAYERS MEETING
Ken King and I attended the Joint taxpayers meeting on October 1, 2007
Here is an important issue that came up.
*The state is discussing Shared Services and Consolidation of Schools which could increase our property taxes, known as COMMITTEE PUBLIC LAW 18A CHAPTER 63 To learn more go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/PL07/63_.HTM
BOATING SAFTEY TIPS
*Don't let your kids dangle their legs over your boat.
* Don't tie up to the bay markers.
* Watch your speed
*Make sure your boat meets all safety requirements.
* Make sure you are properly licensed and your boat registered.
Southern Regional offers a boating class and other interesting classes. For information call 609-597-9481 or go to www.srsd.net
Have a great autumn and let me know if you have any suggestions at laurap@pruzack.com or 609-731-6211
Laura Preidel, President