Three Months After Sandy, Camp Osborn Residents Wondering What's Next
Joyful memories shared of years gone by
Next to the images of the Seaside Heights roller coaster and the Mantoloking breach, one of the iconic images of Superstorm Sandy was more than 60 homes burning to the ground in Brick Township.
That neighborhood – which many describe as one of the last vestiges of middle class living near the Jersey Shore oceanfront – fell victim to natural gas fires during the storm. Due to the breach in Mantoloking, which formed an inlet at the base of the Mantoloking Bridge, firefighters could not reach the township's barrier island section to fight it.
"Seeing a fire and not being able to do anything about it, that's so tough," said Council President Bob Moore, himself a volunteer firefighter, after the storm.
Three months later, what's left of the burnt-out homes are still there, now fenced off from Route 35, where traffic has returned and things are slowly getting back to normal.
"In my 61 years in the Camp Osborn area, we had a feeling of our own 'small town' element to it," said Betty Ann Fuller, a year-round resident of the neighborhood. "We had the bread man, milk man, balloon man - you name it, we never had to leave our street. And we walked to church in Normandy Beach."
Before she evacuated the neighborhood the day before Sandy hit, Fuller turned her home security camera to face Route 35 so she could keep track of flooding remotely on her smartphone. For the most part, she said, things looked okay. But then the camera feed went blank.
"As a full time resident, I lost everything, literally everything," she said.
The neighborhood's unique nature could pose issues in rebuilding. The land is divided between three entities: residents of the Osborn Sea-Bay Condominium Association, residents of the Camp Osborn Condominium Association and a land-lease section owned by an individual, Bob Osborn, a descendant of the family for which the neighborhood is named.
Residents of the two associations own the land on which their houses stood, while residents of the latter section lease their land from Osborn.
In a world of new flood standards, building codes and elevation requirements, it has become clearer and clearer to residents that the mix of 1950s bungalows and rebuilt – but grandfathered-in – year-round homes probably would not be able to be reconstructed as it was.
That has left residents not only dealing with rebuilding their homes – but an entire community, from scratch.
"Most of the residents think it's the responsibility of the town to tell us what to do, but the town has been very receptive to us, and asking us about our ideas," said Matt Presutti, who serves on the Osborn Sea-Bay board.
Presutti said he has met with township officials, including Township Planner Mike Fowler and Assistant Planner Tara Paxton.
"The message, to some extent, was to stop thinking about it in terms of blocks. We have to think of it as sort of a blank slate."
But before the "slate" can even be blank, the debris from all of the neighborhood's homes must be removed. For that task, the township will most likely take charge due to the unique safety hazards in play. Residents are waiting for the township council to pass a resolution that will allow the municipal government to go on private property.
The expenditure to raze what's left of the neighborhood will be covered under FEMA reimbursements, township officials have said.
In the absence of the option of rebuilding the neighborhood as it was, residents need to come together and examine the possibilities available, said Presutti.
Townhomes are an idea, for example, but some residents may resist giving up their own small houses.
"I don't think anybody really wants an Ocean Club clone, but at the same time, it's going to be awfully hard," said Presutti. "You can't get 6 people in a room to agree, so how are you going to get 60 to agree?"
"It may take an extra season because people may have to compromise on what their hopes and dreams are," he said. "To build consensus, you start small."
Meghan Presutti, Matt's wife, said several members of her family owned homes in the community. Brick officials have allowed homeowners to access their properties at certain times, which has been "therapeutic," she said.
Amongst the wreckage was the small red wagon in which her children used to ride around.
"There were a lot of small miracles that happened," she said. ""It's hard, because it was so great; so many multi-generational families were here."
"Brick has been great," said Meghan Presutti, who complimented members of the township administration for the time they've spend helping residents. "They want to have open dialogue with us and communicate with us."
Fuller, who's moved multiple times since the storm struck, wants to get home eventually – but she also wants to remember her long-time neighborhood as it always was.
"I'm sure there is a lot of PTSD and sadness in the neighborhood," she said. "I wish it would all go back in time to the happier times, bringing that cup of coffee to the dune and watching the water, watching the fishermen or surfers, and simply smelling the fresh salt air."
But then, there are things that are even more important.
"We should be grateful that none of us were injured," said Fuller. "It made me happy one day at a coffee shop to pay for the coffee of a state trooper who was in line behind me. It was the least I could do."
BytheC42
11:43 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
My heart goes out to you all.
JohP
11:43 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
It really upsets me to see what our coastline STILL looks like & how so many people are suffering & the domino affect this has caused in so many towns & neighborhoods.
I remember after Katrina, there was a big story about why it took so long to get these people help, because they Didn't declare a " state of emergency" quick enough, Well like him or not Chris Christie Did, to avoid these types of delays & its happening anyway... I also recall may people claiming our President ( Bush) at the time for being racist & NOT liking black people & that why that area had to wait for help..... Well the table has turned, & FACT is Katrina hit areas got funds a lot quicker then the east coast areas Even With us declaring State of Emergency ...
Just something to think about
clamdigger
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
it's only been 3 months, how much did you expect to get done in this amount of time?
Betty Ann Fuller
4:45 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thank you so much, Dan.
Part Timer
4:45 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013
My flood certificate reads that the top of my first floor ( joists ) is 2.5 feet above grade. It does not have the mean sea level for my property which I believe is 7 ft above sea level making my home 9.5 feet abouve sea level but 1.5 feet below ABFE.
Am I doing this correctly...
Keep Calm and Carry On
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Usually Flood elevation certificates tell you your level above mean high sea level not grade. If your lowest floor level is listed as 2.5 it probably means the crawl floor is 2.5 above sea level not grade. It then should read “next highest floor” or “finished floor” and give you that number. That would be you first floor elevation. In addition, if it is not a very old certificate it should have lowest and highest adjacent grade. If it a Flood Elevation Certificate your present flood zone and elevation is on it.
You can check both your old existing BFE online and your new ABFE. The old ones are harder to figure out, the maps are not as user friendly, but they are online also.
Bob Short
4:19 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
as someone wrote before: take the value of your home. take the cost of the repairs. look at the current property tax and add your current flood insurance rate together. Now add the cost if you have to raise your home, then in 5 years, your property taxes will be $10,000 + flood insurance of $10,000 at some point then you'll be paying $1667.oo a month just in Taxes and Insurance - if your over 65 with medicare and supplimental (buddy you gotta have that) your looking at another $1000.00 a month? already your $2667.oo per month out of pocket? can you afford that ? (don't tell us, just think) Then when it comes to sell your home, what type of buyer will buy your home with $1667 a month in expensis + all the othermisc. when a few houses dowwn, most likely be a ban new home going up in 5 yrs for the same price..
Fella, I feel for you, what do you do.? repair, hold, rent it out, sell it or walk away - as a Sandy Victim, I know people in Brick are doing that now.? It's a tough decision for everyone. I feel for all of you's out there. sincerly.!
type writer
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
It does resemble the movie scene of a burnt out Tara plantation in the movie Gone With the Wind.
Bob Short
4:19 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Oh My !!!
Missing Brick
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
^^^ I believe you are doing it correctly. For example, i'm at 7.4' and the new min elevation is 9'. This means from sea level. Then mechanicals need to be even a bit higher if I remember. The number on the elevation certificate at my home is definitely not how much it is "above grade" but rather above sea level...or else I'd be about 4.5.
Regardless though, I have to raise to pay the lower premiums in the future. Once you start raising, it is just more metal and cement to go higher. The main thing is getting the all there.
Missing Brick
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
(expense-wise I mean.) Esthetics and codes are an entirely different ball of wax.
Adele Leonard
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
My heart goes out to all of you and hope that one day again you have that wonderful little neighbor!
SoylentGreen
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Bring in the bulldozers
Dainty
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
We are willing to come in with volunteers and help anyone that needs it. From what I saw Oceanside there isnt much we can do, but Bayside looked better. Let me know
https://www.facebook.com/SandyTomsRiverHelpWantedNeeded
joan*
Sandy - Weekday Warriors on Facebook*
KC
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I say a little prayer for you all. Also please consider what may be the new normal in making rebuilding plans. The storm last night was a scary reminder of three months ago. God Bless.
Tom Elder
2:21 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Elder St was named after my great grand parents! Some talks were to redevelop and possibly loose a street or two.
Understanding the fact that our Camp was unique and many families have generations of history here and changes will have to happen to be compliant! I am sure so many stories will be remembered and always talked about which happen in this unique place.
The late afternoon 10 mile hikes (it felt like),really a couple hundred feet,up over the large dunes dragging chairs ,boards,coolers,umbrellas and being able to let your little ones run ahead down the sand and gravel roads and not worry to the shower or outside hoses will never be the same!
I hope we never see asphalt !
Don Smith
4:19 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Tom, it would be great to have a memorial to the original history of the camp when we are done. My family goes back to 1938' there and I was born in February so likely I had my beginning there. Oh, Mom was staying in a Sullivan Cabin when she met Dad. It would be cool to list the Osborns involved in the early camp the preserved it's nature.
Lauren
4:19 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
The ones I feel for the most are my kids. I was lucky enough to spend ever summer there since childhood. My kids are 7 and 9 and were so used to all the freedom they had there. Groups of kids between 4 and 15 years old could be seen playing manhunt with their flashlights at night or playing whiffleball on the dunes at sundown. Their biggest worry was wondering if they could get ice cream from the truck or if they could stay out a little later that night.
The bonds they share with their "beach friends" are already as strong as the bond I've had with my "beach friends" since childhood. Some of my best friends are from the camp. My family has been there since 1956 and we miss it terribly.
My family has been there since 1956.....I don't want bigger
Don Smith
4:19 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
For the record for those reading this the facts are that 120 homes burned. Eye witnesses saw transformers located above homes explode and burn then fall onto the homes. Fire could not be started by gas with the winds we had that night.
Bob Short
4:19 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
I read an a article on the Patch before; someone had an idea about rebuilding this location. This would be a great spot to re-develop.. If someone wants to build condos, villa shops. Give the residents first pick and "something" afforadble or a tax write off to replace those lost. The developer can build 60 to 100 units on that lot easily. A 3-4 story unit would be perfect; there's something similar to it in Long Branch - Villas.
Don Smith
12:06 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Why not let the camp come back with 100 modern well built units?
Lauren
4:19 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
My family has had a home there since 1956. We are all heartbroken that our "happy place" is gone. The ones I feel for most are my kids. They had so much freedom while there....groups of kids from 4 to 15 years old playing manhunt at night or whiffleball games on the dunes at sundown. Their biggest worries were when the ice-cream truck was coming or wondering if the could stay out a little bit later at night. The bonds they have built with their "beach friends" are already almost as strong as the bonds I share with mine. When I was a child, I met some of my best friends at the camp and it breaks my heart that I will not being seeing them everyday this summer. I too, hope we never see asphalt!
Don Smith
12:06 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
We will be back! We know what we had and we know how to build it back according to the beach community code. My home was compliant and high enough. Transformer fire got us all.
Camilla Johnsen
12:06 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
JJ
As a charter member of the Ocean Club, formerly The Thunderbird, we feel so bad about what happened to the people who lived at Camp Osborn. The people who lived there were always having a great time. Many of our 9 grandchildren played and surfed with the kids from CO. I remember one of our grandsons caught a fish and one of the grandfathers from Camp Osborne went back to his house and came back wtih a fish knife and fileted the fish so my wife could cook it. That night all of our grandsons ate the best fish dinner of their lives. We are praying that everyone can get back to Camp Osborne.
Don Smith
11:12 am on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
A you know we had a big dune and while the fire burned us the hardening of the ocean face of the Thunderbird contributed to the demise of our dunes. Do you know when the put the bulkhead in front of your place and who authorized it?
Freddy
12:06 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
This is so horrible. After all the years of going down the shore it hurts to see landmarks and neighborhoods gone let along the sadness of the families that lost it all. Amazingly enough after all my time spent at the ocean club this past year was the year I played volley ball at camp osbornes beach court every day during the round robin tournaments. I will miss seeing all of the great people and families I met this past year. hang in there and know that we all be waiting to see you on the beach again. You know your a beach family when your 6 year old son cries while watching what happened from the storm on the news during the days following the storm. I asked him if he was ok and he said no all my memories are gone. I think we all just need to get down the shore this summer and put our money into the businesses so that it truly has its best shot at surviving this first new summer.
Sue
5:40 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Erroneous flood zone maps, overkill house-raising mandates and exorbitant annual insurance costs... FEMA wants NJ to bail it out of its Katrina debt!
Join our fight -- come to a 1-hour meeting Sat. March 9th, 3 PM, at Silverton First Aid Squad, 86 Maine St., Toms River (all towns welcome).
Info at StopFemaNow.com and
Facebook.com/StopFemaNow.
Save our Shore Communities!
Martin
3:51 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
200+ people attended our meeting! Our protest movement is growing! Get up to speed about what FEMA is doing to your property value.
Pay $50,000 to $150,000 to raise your house, or pay up to $30,000 a year for flood insurance... That's the choice FEMA gives you if you're in its expanding flood zones. It's based on erroneous "advisory" maps. Approx. 20% of US is impacted by FEMA's onerous new mandates.
The 2012 Biggert-Waters Act must be corrected by Congress -- or tens of thousands of NJ homes will be abandoned or foreclosed upon because of FEMA's unaffordable "over-kill" requirements.
Information is at Facebook.com/StopFemaNow. "Like" us to get updates.
Don Smith
10:35 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Everyone needs to appeal property values along the coast. Sandy has taken structure values to zero and that is given but the land it's self is not worth what is once was worth. Tax man needs to come clean on this issue.