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TOWNSHIP EYEING UP PURCHASE OF ANCHOR REEF MARINA
Plans Call For Boat Slips, Other Public Access To Barnegat Bay
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo This plot of land is among the last pieces of undeveloped waterfront property in Toms River. |
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A waterfront park in Toms River is proposed for the five-acre plot of land at the former Anchor Reef Marina site, located at the southwest foot of the Seaside Bridge.
Plans for development of the property are under study by township officials who say that the purchase of the land for open space is part of the 10-year master plan developed by the Township Planning Board.
"The land has tremendous potential," said Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, a planning board member, at the board's reorganization meeting on Wednesday.
Kelaher called the waterfront property, "a great acquisition for the township."
Township acquisition of the property is now a step closer with the passage of a resolution on December 27 by the Township Council authorizing Toms River's legal department to prepare a contract for the purchase of the property, located at 3397 Route 37 East.
The site includes the bay waterfront and lagoon that runs down to the propeller shop on Route 37.
The restaurant building, widely known as Nick the Greek, and its adjacent parking lot are not part of the deal. Officials said that building has recently been purchased by owners of a local restaurant, Café Italia.
Councilwoman Maria Maruca, who represents Ward 1 in Toms River, which includes the former Anchor Reef Marina, said Wednesday the plan has not been finalized, adding, "We are researching the possibility of purchasing the land as a component of our redevelopment plan."
Maruca has called the site a beautiful piece of property. "The waterfront is spectacular. It needs to be used to its best potential."
The township's 10-year master plan promotes, among other things, a Category One designation for Toms River and supports the Anchor Reef Marina acquisition and development of boat ramps.
At his reappointment as township planner on Wednesday, Jay Lynch agreed that the site is in need of revamping, adding that a review under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act) would be necessary.
"It's subject to CAFRA ruling. We will have to see what CAFRA says," said Lynch.
The Coastal Review Act governs waterfront permits for docks, piers, pipelines, bulkheads, marinas, cables and dredging.
Purchase of the land was stalled with the property in bankruptcy. The Anchor Reef Marina site was previously owned by real estate mogul Solomon Dwek.
Township officials have expressed interest in securing the area for open space and saving it from commercial or residential development. Officials say the site is one of the best remaining open parcels of land on the waterfront.
"We don't want a residential development there," said Councilman Peter V. Cassano.
Over the past year, council President Gregory McGuckin has fielded questions at many council meetings from residents concerned the property would fall into the hands of developers.
"We are watching the bankruptcy proceedings," McGuckin told residents several months ago, saying that the township would be the first in line to apply for ownership.
"I would love to get that corner on the bay in public ownership," he told residents in April, adding that the council has been in touch with the Trust for Public Land, a non-profit that acts as a facilitator between funding sources and towns and counties. Although he admitted that the land would be expensive, he said that he would like to see a public marina there to bring ratables to the town.
The Anchor Reef Marina site is included in the Trust for Public Land's "Century Plan," a list of the top 100 sites to be preserved in the Barnegat Bay.
Cost of the parcel would be "more than $1 million and less than $7 million" according to a report from the Trust for Public Land project.
Councilman Brian Kubiel said on Wednesday, "We will attempt to seek funds from grant sources or other funding sources," adding that the property has potential, "for a waterfront park and marina."
In March, Save Barnegat Bay and the Sierra Club of Ocean County presented a petition with 2,719 names to the Township Council calling for Anchor Reef Marina to be conserved as a waterfront park. They also toured the site.
"To allow any portion of this site to be lost to further waterfront residential or commercial uses would truly be a tragedy," Helen Henderson, project manager, said at the site with fellow conservationists.
"This is about the bay. Let's share the bay with everybody," said Frank Kenny, the trustee for Save Barnegat Bay.
The environmental advocacy group, now in its 16th year, has vowed to assist the township in the search for other funding sources and part of the organization's lobby for public waterfront access for fishing, crabbing, picnicking, playgrounds, a boat launch and transient boat slips.
"Once you build on it, it's gone forever," said Margit Meissner-Jackson, the conservation chair for the Sierra Club of Ocean County. "Nobody is going to tear down condominiums to build a park."
Former Mayor Paul C. Brush, whose Citizen's Advisory Committee made up of 40 volunteers helped create the master plan, said that aside from boat slips and a boat launch, he would like to see a nautical type shop on the property or a seashore type of facility.
"It is really the last spot in town on the bay where you have the opportunity for boat slips and boat ramps," he said.
Reorganization of the Township Planning Board included the appointments of Robert Giles, chairman; Dennis Filippone, vice-chairman; Len Colica, secretary; and recording secretary, Lucia Lynch.
In a letter read by Kelaher, former board chairman Sal Mattia resigned from his post. Mattia, formerly of Toms River resident, has moved to Seaside Park.
Attorney Guy Ryan will act as planning board attorney until May 1, when attorney Thomas Gannon will resume the post.
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