March 2025
OPENING
The March meeting of the OGCA was held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 in the Camp Meeting Association Community Room at 28 Pilgrim Pathway in Ocean Grove.
The meeting was called to order by Joyce Klein, President, at 10:03 am and she led the Pledge of Allegiance.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Our first speaker was Master Gardner, Kevin Akey, a retired teacher and an Agricultural Associate in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers. He detailed the Rutgers Master Gardners of Monmouth County Annual Plant Sale set for May 16 and 17. Then he provided an in depth presentation of steps to get ready for working on your Spring gardening and much information on pruning, mulching, cutting plantings back. Kevin answered numerous membership questions. Go to our Bulletin Board to see the hand-out document Kevin provided with his presentation.
Then Ramona Bannayan of the OG Beautification Project provided a brief history of the group and its focus over the past 31 years. She detailed its key events for 2025 and she offered a special thanks to all who contribute to Beautification projects.
BUSINESS MEETING
President Joyce Klein advised of two big changes in the Neptune Township administration:
- The contract for Township Clerk Gabriella Siboni was not renewed and a new Clerk – William Bray – will be approved at the March 26th Township Committee meeting.
- Township Business Administrator Gina Laplaca resigned at the last Township Committee meeting and the Township is currently searching for a new Administrator.
Joyce made these announcements:
- Because of elevator repairs at the Municipal Building, through the end of May Township Committee meetings will be held at the Neptune Senior Center. Livestreaming will not be available.
- Saturday March 29 – parade to honor Vietnam Veterans.
- Saturday April 12 – Bird walk along Ocean Pathway and onto the beach 10am to noon.
- Tuesday April 15 – Sock Hop to honor Neptune’s Home Town Heroes at the American Legion Post 346 on Gully Road.
Committee Reports:
- Green Committee – Chair Philip Orton provided an update on looming Increases to our electrical rates. He discussed the research and preparation he is doing to add solar electric panels to his house and he invited members interested in solar panels to join him in that effort. Questions followed.
- Legal Affairs Committee –
- Chair Barbara Burns provided an update on the Neptune Planning Board’s approval of the NE Redevelopment Site Plan with the exception of two of the ten houses on Spray Avenue. Those houses are currently located in a part of the plan that is not zoned for single homes, and that issue will have to be resolved by the Township Committee. The effort by a private legal team to challenge inconsistencies between the Redevelopment Plan and the Site Plan is ongoing and may result in an appeal to a Superior Court. More to come – many questions followed.
- Committee member Robert Ingato advised that the two electric vehicle Fast Charging stations located in the South parking lot of the Jersey Shore Arts Center may be turned on soon. He has been working with JSAC and Neptune Township, and an agreement to approve those charging stations looks positive and we may see resolution in April.
The meeting adjourned at 11:50am. Respectfully submitted by Theresa Checki, OGCA Secretary.