January 2026
OPENING
A meeting of the Ocean Grove Community Association (OGCA) was held on Saturday, January 24th, 2026 in the Camp Meeting Community Room, 28 Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove. The meeting was called to order by OGCA President Joyce Klein at 10:05 am. The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by recognition of special guests and announcements.
- Reminder to renew OGCA 2026 membership
- The OGCA March meeting may be in the evening – tentatively March 25 at 7 pm
- There are no significant updates on North End Redevelopment
- The Giving Committee on Winter Hiatus
- The Reading Buddy Program in Neptune Schools currently has 18 active volunteers
For the benefit of the membership, a Neptune police sergeant reviewed the township winter rules for snow removal. He reminded residents to keep their home and car doors locked, and to have adequate lighting around their homes. He also warned members to be aware of ongoing scams. Questions followed.
GUEST SPEAKER
Dell O’Hara, a prominent Ocean Grove historian, spoke on “How to Research the History of your Home”. She presented a detailed slide presentation with specific research instructions. She also informed us that the OG Historical Society website is an invaluable resource for on-line research. The slides from her presentation will be posted on the OGCA website. Many questions followed.
BUSINESS MEETING
President Joyce Klein provided information on the newly formed Neptune School Board Task Force of which she is a member. A meeting was held on January 13, 2026 (there had been one meeting in November 2025 prior to her joining the group.) She reported that there are more than 30 members on the Task Force, largely School representatives. She mentioned the impact of the schools on the tax levy, increases in certain objects of expense, desire to retain Special Needs students in District, and the intent to return the Early Learning Center to the State. She reported that the Neptune schools are operating considerably under capacity (45-60%); but that the inclusion of Neptune City students would not be practical because its school building requires considerable and very costly improvements. The next meeting of the Task Force will be sometime in March – Joyce will provide updates to OGCA following each Task Force meeting. She also emphasized the importance for members to attend school board meetings in person.
There is a link on the OGCA website to the Neptune schools website.
Committee Reports:
- A new OGCA initiative entitled “Legal Explainer” will often be a part of OGCA meetings where complex legal issues in town will be explored and explained. OGCA Board Member Robert Ingato made our first presentation, providing a detailed and informative presentation on “Why do homeowners have to pay real estate taxes on land if the Camp Meeting Association is the owner of the property?” Many questions ensued.
- Barbara Burns, chair of the Legal Committee, presented an update on the disposition of the legal ruling by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that there must be unrestricted beach access on Sunday mornings. It is unknown whether the CMA will appeal.
CLOSING
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 am. Respectfully submitted by Theresa Checki, Secretary of the OGCA.