Lake Riviera Resident Organizes Neighbors for Road Improvements
Laura Baldwin collected hundreds of signatures asking for attention to Lake Riviera's road conditions
Photos
Louise Baldwin and about 610 of her neighbors in Brick's Lake Riviera section want their roads improved.
Baldwin, a Spruce Drive resident, collected signatures from more than 600 residents of the Lake Riviera section, and this week prodded members of the township council to include improvement projects in the neighborhood in this year's capital improvement budget.
"The roads have greatly deteriorated even during the last two years," said Baldwin, who said she has lived in Brick for more than 25 years. "This problem is something we deal with, day in and day out. We cannot navigate those roads safely."
Lake Riviera's roads suffer from a number of issues, Baldwin said. The streets have potholes, but also dips and degraded areas that test the springs of residents' vehicles, she said. The dips are tough to catch on camera, "you have to drive over them," Baldwin said.
"Our roads need to be a priority," she told Council President Brian DeLuca at the governing body's June 21 meeting.
DeLuca said township officials are aware of the issues in Lake Riviera and are pursuing solutions. For issues such as potholes, he said, residents can call the township public works department and ask for them to be filled.
Large-scale repaving and improvements must be included in the township's capital budget, however. That budget has yet to be set for 2011, but DeLuca has said it will be introduced at a council meeting in the near future. So far this year, the council has announced that Thiele Road - a notoriously bumpy road in the Herbertsville section that serves as an entrance and egress to several developments - will be repaved.
There was no word on what roads would make the cut for improvements under the to-be-introduced 2011 capital spending plan, but Business Administrator Scott Pezarras said a commitment of about $7.6 million for road improvements is looking likely this year.
"Those roads in Lake Riviera are at the top of our list," said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.
Baldwin said help can't come soon enough for herself and her neighbors.
"We need the council’s help," she said.
NJ resident
6:26 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thank you for you attention to this matter. At this point, I am optimistic that the council wants to help us. The ball is in their court. Our community needs to get this done for our safety and to stop the excessive wear and tear on our vehicles. No one should have to navigate roads with the conditions we encounter every day. It just isn't safe.
Louise Baldwin
andy scro
7:23 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Lake Riviera resident. I would like to add that the speed bumps onbirch bark drive and lakeview drive at lafeyette are excessively high and should be trimmed down lower.
Allan
7:28 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Call the town about potholes? Have they seen our roads? Potholes are the least of our problems. The roads need to be paved - that should take care of the potholes, too.
localexpert
9:01 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thank you Louise for calling attention to this problem with our roads. Part of Lake Riviera was paved. Why those roads and not the rest?
GrandpaRocks
9:01 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Glad to read this. Bricktown now needs to make sure paving Lake Rivieras roads is on that upcoming Capital Budget list so it can be approved and make the cuts for this year. At that point I would agree with the mayor and the council that the roads in Lake Riviera are really a priority. Words are cheap. Actions count.
Jim
9:04 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Jim
I live on a dead end in Lake Riviera, I have called for the last 3yrs complaining that my road is in terrible shape and needs to be repaved, they told me "we will send someone out and that they would leave there card in my mailbox to prove they came by", guess what no card. Water just sits at the end of my driveway and is causing it lift and break apart. My kids cannot skateboard and can barely use their scooters because the road is so coarse and there are a lot of sunken patches from repairs. If they fall the road just rips there skin like a cheese grater from being so coarse. It is ridiculous that we pay the taxes we do and someone can even give you the time of day when you have a valid complaint. Maybe if I had a dock that needed to be dredged I would have better luck?
disgusted homeowner
5:59 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Bottom line here is we will continue to get LESS AND LESS for our tax dollars from ALL facets of local,state and the federal government. They want MORE OF OUR MONEY but we get LESS in return.
Concerned Brick Citizen
9:08 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
They better not pave any road before they complete ours in Breton Woods as promised by the Mayor and staff. Phase II is supposed to be completed this year. Our road has not been paved in well over 20 years. They better not bump our scheduled maintenance because of a petition. – Plus the waterfront residents on our street pay the highest taxes in Brick 12k through 32K. The township needs to take care of the people who pay the most first! - Deluca will be getting a letter of concern shortly!
NJ resident
9:26 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Concerned Brick Citizen - why would this be an "us vs. them?" I wish you all the road repairs in the world. That does not, however, make Lake Riv's roads any less of an issue. Instead of asking what it is you are not getting, maybe we should all work together for the improvement of this town. I would hope we all look out for one another - that is the Brick I moved to 29 years ago!
Louise Baldwin
Concerned Brick Citizen
10:10 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
I agree and you can see my expressed frustration. I was always one for total cooperation, but from past posts regarding the referendum question many citizens have waged war and pointed the finger at the waterfront property owners. They showed no compassion and didn’t care (about us) that our taxes were going to be unfairly increased many more times than theirs. Now these people who pay much less in taxes want their roads paved before mine? It just seems extremely unfair to me.
The results of the last election with the referendum question cemented an "us vs. them". The mayor even stated that waterfront home owners will not vote “YES”. Thank you MR. MAYOR! I wish everyone could understand that the Mayor and administration single handedly divided the community. I’m tired of the laziness of local citizens who don’t want to “get involved”. It is the “I don’t give a damn” attitude which is ruining our town. MY community is always LAST. The town will not even clean up Dock Road Beach. Dan Nee wanted to do a story about this beach, but finding people who want to participate has been a challenge. I’m frustrated because I learn about other projects being completed all around Brick, but for some reason Breton Woods is ranks at the bottom. The administration has forgotten that Breton Woods was once the seat of the town. The main post office was here, the A&P, gas station, firehouse and more.
Bobby Donofrio
9:51 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
The road by 7-11 in Lake Riviera is a total obstacle course in terrible shape.....who the heck puts a "speed table" by a driveway entrance to a store?? Fix that area and Arizona drive already...especially the turn coming off Shorrock!!
Mommyof3
9:55 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Phase II??? I'm waiting for Phase I!! Lived on my street for 15 years and its NEVER been paved! Heck, if a cop followed me home from Brick Blvd to my street in Lake Riviera I would get pulled over for careless driving and I'm only trying to advoid the pot holes and nasty dips! Sad to say, I really don't think the town will pave in our area. Remember, we were promised a new playground OVER 3 years ago and NOTHING was done yet!! The town people have had ENOUGH!! Since the end of school, I now have 6 houses for sale on JUST my street!! This town better wake up!!!!!!!
Kristin Gallitelli Miller
10:20 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Same thing with Birchwood Park, they never finished the speed bumps onn Sprucewood dr. and never finished paving the section either!
marion glinsman
10:31 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Same in Greenbriar I, we have been asking for YEARS and are told we are on a "list" only problem is the list is in somebody's head and keeps changing with their mood. When you enter GBI you have to be careful or you will be "shocked" .
OK so city hall got their 2% referendum passed now what?????
disgusted homeowner
6:03 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Don't think the citizens will ever see that money spent wisely !!! But rest assured, next APRIL this gang will be back for more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$......
NJ resident
10:38 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Concerned Brick Citizen: I do feel your pain. And, I understand high taxes. The residents of Brick are good people and need to stick together. Our property values throughtout the town are falling (like in other places). But, if we do not take care of the roads in this town, the values will not come back up. We can not allow the people to be divided. Then nothing gets done. Lord knows, there should be enough money to help take care of all our problems. By the way, I love the old pictures of your area, and remember the way things were repaired and kept up when I first moved here. The street sweeper came down my road every week - now I would guess it wouldn't be able to navigate the bumpy ride. I wish you well.
Louise Baldwin
Sue
11:04 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thank you Louise for spearheading this issue. The roads in Brick are deplorable. I live in the Herbertsville section of Brick.Thank you for bringing this important issue to the town council.Good for you!! One person can truly make a difference. Thank you Louise and for other concerned and grateful Brick residents. Sue
Lori Morrison
11:20 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Prior to the first lay-off of public works employees, the Town had a in house paving crew. My entire neighborhood was done by the Public works paving dept. Maybe its time for the Mayor to re-consider his decision to eliminate the paving crew and bring it back!
Elisa Hahn
11:31 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Bravo Louise. Thank you for spearheading this issue. We have lived in Brick for over 20 years and have never seen any roadwork done in Lake Riviera except for a few potholes refilled a few times over. The road issues have caused accidents in the past with thousand of dollars in damages that weren't covered by insurance. For the amount of money we all pay in taxes we shouldn't be dealing with this.
You Sillypeople
11:38 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
I wish my road in Herbertsville looked as good as the one in the photo!
Denny D
11:42 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
I knew some of the guys that were on the paving crew when they did Essex Drive. They did a great job. I wonder what happened to them. I believe the lead man was a lifelong resident of Brick. That means he was proud to be doing good things for his town.
Concerned Brick Citizen
12:14 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Louise, I agree 100%. I'm not a bad guy just a concerned individual. We “ALL” need to contribute equally. This means we all get on the cases of our highly paid Township employees. They need "earn" their lofty salaries and health benefits. I would gladly work for half the average township salary as long as I could receive the wonderful health benefits. I can also guarantee that I would be a much more effective worker. It is time for a change. The township employees need to know that there are people willing to do their jobs for less. -- I'm one of them.
NJ resident
12:28 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Concerned Brick Citizen - I don't think this is a township employee problem. They do what they are told to do. They take the orders, not give them. But, I am glad you are concerned enough to voice your opinion. That is one way we can all make changes.
Louise Baldwin
disgusted homeowner
6:06 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
The "Rhinestone Cowboy" who runs public works is a big part of the problem. He never returns phone calls. Robert Russo did a much better job but he was pushed, no shoved out the door !!!!!!!!
Mickey
12:45 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
"NJ Resident"...another way we can make a change is to vote this entire group out...replace them with other Republicans, Democrats or Independents, it doesn't really matter.....but they need to be voted out
Mrs Schultz
2:51 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
I have been a resident of Brick town for the past 30 years, so sad to say that the roads in Lakeriveria are by far the most dangerous to drive on. This has to be adressed promptly, the situation is now to the point of an emergency, and I am so relieved this problem is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Bonnie
3:57 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Andy, I agree speed bumps too big.
Allen, the town can only do so much. Maybe you should apply for some volunteer work.
Localexpert: If you were at the meeting Tuesday night you would know the answer to your own question Watch it on channel 20 when it's on!
GrandpaRocks, the townn is putting Lake Riviera at the top of their list. If you were at the meeting you would know that already. The resident who spoke did a wonderful job, and I don't even live in lake riveria. I do live in brick 34+ years and my development also needs paving, but there is only so much that can be done with one administration and with all the bad press about this administration, I really don't know why most of you still live here. I love this town and this administration! Maybe people should all come out of their homes and stick together and help as a group. We are stronger in numbers. Go to the Meetings, find out and voice your opinion there not on this site! I can assure you GrandpaRocks you will like the results you will be getting in Lake Riveria! Hope to see your positive comments posted soon!
Jim, take your kids to Drumpooint school to skateboard where it is safe.
Concerned Brick Citizen , why should you be so special just because you pay higher taxes? Move off the water like the rest of us.
NJ RESIDENT: HIP HIP HORRY FOR YOU....I AGREE....AND YES THIS IS ME SHOUTING !!!!!!!!!
Concerned Brick Citizen
6:12 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Bonnie, Thank you for your wonderful response... YES, my house is for sale... at a very reasonable price versus what you see for sale on the water. So as you would say, moving off of the water just like the rest of us. The reason I think I'm special is because I'm now paying what I call VIP TAXES! I'm paying TOP NOTCH, TOP SHELF, FIRST CLASS, so I expect first class service. Anyone in my shoes would expect the same. I'm charitable, but not "THAT" charitable. The coach passengers or the average Brick tax payer will just have to wait until "we are" served first... My family has been here since the 1940's so you know my roots are deep. It makes me sick to see what is going on today. My neighborhood does not get what I call the "first response" which other township communities seem to always get. THERE ARE FAVORITES like Princeton Ave. Lake Riviera was plowed out before I was. Four days before I could exit! Bonnie if what you say is true... WHAT MAKES LAKE RIVIERA SO SPECIAL? WHY SHOOUD THEY GO TO THE TOP OF THE PAVING LIST? -- And yes I'm shouting.
I'm tired of being beaten down by this community which shows no compassion or fairness... I do believe in equality, but I need to know that I'm not continually being over looked based on what part of town I reside. If that is the case my taxes need to be adjusted fairly.
disgusted homeowner
6:12 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
You love this administration???? UHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
steve
5:37 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
How can I sign the petition?
NJ resident
8:02 am on Friday, June 24, 2011
I am listed. Steve, at this point I really do think the council and mayor are trying to help us. Thanks for your interest. Louise Baldwin
disgusted homeowner
6:57 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
If Bonnie makes another supportive statement of this administration, my gall bladder will burst!!!!!!!! Stop drinking the Kool Aid dear..................
disgusted homeowner
6:58 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
And if i paid the taxes that CBC and other waterfront folks pay, I too would be demanding my money's worth.
Michele
7:03 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Michele
The roads in Lake Riviera are terrible and need to be repaved without a doubt. My taxes have gone up and I feel that the residents of Lake Riviera deserve to have the roads repaved and not just have the pot holes filled, and by the way whoever is fixing the pot holes is doing a Horrible job. Lake Riviera residents need to stick together in order to get the job done!!!
Allan
7:38 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
To Concerned Brick Citizen and Disgusted Homewoner, Check NJ statutes. All property tax payers are created equal when it comes to services. As it should be.
Concerned Brick Citizen
11:51 am on Friday, June 24, 2011
Allan I agree... as it should be. But I've stated this in the past. I'm being charge $4 for that $1 burger. Where is the equality? Why should I foot the bill for twenty children when I have none, while my lower tax paying neighbor pays for one when they have two children and others three and four? -- But to get to the point about all property tax payers are created equal when it comes to services. The township has not provided the equal services across the board, so they are in violation of the NJ statues. To be totally fair, if everyone receives the same services everyone should pay the same for said services. NJ is just wrong. Many are fleeing to avoid high taxes and who can blame them. There are other places where you get more bang for your buck.
Alice Tulecki
9:48 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thanks Allan for the info “NJ Statutes” notes ALL PROPERTY TAX PAYERS ARE CREATED EQUAL WHEN IT COMES TO SERVICES. (A) Concerned Citizen if you are willing to pay $4.00 for a $1.00 burger that’s on you; personally I would not pay the price. Equality I understand to be “ALL THINGS EQUAL”. (B) If one lives in a four room home, on property 75X100 with grass, trees, flowers, driveway, flag pole etc.; facing a street in front of the home with traffic in both directions all the while, the back of the home is facing another home; how is it “EQUAL” if you are living in ten room home, on property 200X250 with a 2 car garage and paved driveway, all the trimming on the house, lawn, many extras; facing a body of water with perhaps a dock as part of your backyard while the front has traffic flowing in both directions. HOW is this EQUAL? The value of the four room property against the 10 room property is not of equal value. The larger portion of the pie will pay more. Thus services should not be based on cost paid but on the equality for unit price shared by all. (C) I equally agreed it appears unfair that those of us who have no children are footing a share for those that do. I reconcile this to myself as “SOMEONE PAID” for us – so I see this as paying forward for my grandchildren.
Alice Tulecki
9:49 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
(D) The township has not provided the equal services across the board, so they are in violation of the NJ statues. Since there seems to be a statute than perhaps this is an issue you can carry the “TORCH FOR” going forward to make “BRICK” the first to stop the discrimination! (E) I am a Jersey GIRL through and through; I complain all the time about N.J. stuff. I have resolved that this is where I am comfortable and enjoy vacationing else where, and returning home. I have left the state and lived in California for 10 years approximately. I understand the grass is greener on the other side; having been there the grass is NOT greener!
Brokernj
8:03 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
The picture in this article is what I see a lot of in the Lake. Looks like a BTMUA road opening and a bad patch job when they closed it. Maybe the town should first be talking to the MUA about re-placing the past raod opening patches
Concerned Brick Citizen
2:03 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Dear Alice, exactly… I’m well aware how properties are assessed. I’m not saying that a person who lives in a 4 room house pay the same as a 10 room, etc. I’ve been trying to figure out why certain areas of Brick are cared for much more than others. Believe me I’ve been carrying that torch for change. I do live in a very nice house, but far from 10 rooms. There are non-waterfront home in my neighborhood that are newer, which are the similar in size with larger properties yet they pay about a quarter of the taxes. We all stare at the same street yet these homes are privilege with a water view. The Brick tax office states that neighborhoods do reflect on the assessed tax value. Yet where I live is labeled by the real-estate community is undesirable. From my highly taxed house on the street side I look at illegal objects in the roadway and unkempt properties. Believe me I’ve been on code enforcement as well as town council, but I have yet to see any changes.
The other “FACT” can be found at datauniverse.com. Non-waterfront homes, in Brick, on average sell well over their assessed value versus waterfront properties. Many waterfront properties have sold under the assessed value. This data tells us that waterfront homeowners are over assessed. Inland properties need to be assessed at a higher rate, but they are not. Why? My property is currently on the market below the assessed rate and still no takers. Why? It should sell quickly. Something is wrong here?
Concerned Brick Citizen
2:20 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
I wanted to add that very rarely has a non-waterfront property owner has expressed any compassion or shown support toward waterfront property owners. Isn’t that a form of discrimination? We are not all wealthy and many of us have been here for generations. There is no “Rent control” on or deeds. The discrimination against us needs to end also. I’m tired of all the posters on here who don’t feel sorry for us and feel we should pull the weight for the rest of Brick. – It is important to understand our plight and it is easy to point fingers.
disgusted homeowner
6:18 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2011
@Concerned Brick Citizen, as you know I am a very frquent poster, whose family came here 70 yrs. ago from rural upstate NY. I will stick up for your position on taxation as if I was paying the taxes you are I would want my bang for my buck so to speak. I heard a similar position from many owners, not just waterfront who are in fact paying double or triple my $4300 tax bill. The delivery of services by the township is going strictly downhill in my opinion, and Trenton shares some of the blame. My home is probably in thew bottom third of township assessments, almost $100k under the township average. My dead end street was plowed 2 days after the christmas blizzard, but why others waited 4 or more is shameful and certainly if you are one of them, you have a very legitimate gripe. There is a tremendous unfairness in the revaluations when they are done, and anyone who feels it doesn't reflect their true value should APPEAL,APPEAL, AND FILE MORE APPEALS with the OC BOard of Taxation before 4/1/2012 !!! just as i did in 2010.
Concerned Brick Citizen
1:48 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Disgusted homeowner, unfortunately I was one of those who needed to wait almost 4-days to be plowed out. I don’t take what is going on in this town lightly. Yes, I filed a tax appeal and WON! Everyone one who owns a waterfront property needs to do the same. Period! You are a fool if you don't. In today’s Asbury Park Press 6/28/11 there is an article on page B4 “Town Revalues Property – Lost tax appeals force Howell to reassess”. 1,500 property owners appealed costing the town $700,000, Yes! $700,000 in revenue. – Ummm… who is going to pay for it? Who is going to make up my thousands in over assessed taxes along with the other property owners who won their appeals in Brick? Dan Nee needs to do a story on lost tax dollars. Like I stated before the statistics are out there at datauniverse.com. The homes which appear to be under assessed are the non-waterfront properties. Just review the recent sale prices versus the assessment. Those number should be near equal. Who is going to make up the difference? As a waterfront property owner I’m tired of pulling the financial weight for the rest of the township. The playing field needs to be level. I’m now glad others now other Brick tax payers will pick up my bill for my over assessed taxes.
But to keep with this story. My street needs to be paved as well as the road in Lake Riviera. But the township better not do them and skip me!
disgusted homeowner
5:47 pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2011
I truly believe so many only glance at their tax bill and feel they can't "fight city hall". The taxpayers, and all property owners, really need to be educated in the art of filing a successful appeal. Especially when the experts are telling us NJ property values may drop ANOTHER 20 PERCENT over the next year or two. Why pay taxes on a home assessed at $350k when it's only worth $300k??? Folks need to wake up and find their way the the Ocean County Board of Taxation office at 118 Washington St. in Toms River(second floor) and get an appeal package !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!