Boaters are no longer able to launch their vessels from trailers at the Glenwood Place boat ramp, a move that has angered one township councilman.
The mud ramp at the relatively secluded end of Glenwood Place – a street off Mantoloking Road – has served as a free launching place into the Metedeconk River for decades, but is now blocked off by a guardrail.
Closing the ramp was an "asinine" and "ludicrous" thing for the township's administration to do, Councilman Dan Toth said this week.
"To take away a public access point is a slap in the face to the taxpayers and the residents of this town because we are such a waterfront community," said Toth, adding that members of his family own a good deal of the property around the ramp and have never been bothered by people using it.
Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said the closure came after multiple complaints from neighboring residents and marina owners, who told township officials that boaters were urinating and defecating in the grass adjacent to the ramp and ignoring a No Wake zone from the ramp to the main channel of the Metedeconk to the east.
"Nobody living across from that boat ramp should have to see people squatting to go to the bathroom," said Acropolis, adding that there were also complaints about garbage being dumped near the ramp as well as people "coming in and out at all hours."
"The town just doesn't go out and do things for no reason," he said. "Nobody went by there one day and said, 'hey let's close this boat ramp.' But you cannot legislate good behavior."
Toth said he also took issue with a sign being erected at the site directing boaters to use the ramp at Traders Cove Marina, which carries a fee for users.
"People are hurting, and we're taking away public access points for them to enjoy the water," he said.
The daily ramp fee at Traders Cove is $10 for a "round trip" pass, which entitles a boater to launch and retrieve a boat. A season ramp pass is available for $100.
For boaters looking for no-cost alternatives, a free ramp is available off Beach Boulevard in Point Pleasant Borough, just south of the New Jersey State Police barracks near the Lovelandtown Bridge. Boats there are launched into the Point Pleasant Canal.
There is also a free, sand-covered launch area at the end of Bay Avenue in Point Boro, where boats can be launched into Barnegat Bay, though parking there is limited.
Yes a kayak will fit - but you can carry a kayak up and dpwn mountains. We are talking about small boats and jet skis too - kind of hard to lift them over or around the Mayor's barrier.
Mr. Nee please check into this imposter saying they are me!
With all due respect, Art, I feel your comments about Councilman Toth are just plain wrong. I find him to be a politician who tries to act in the best interest of the town and the people in it, and the only “spanking” that I witnessed him receiving was when he indicated during a council meeting a few years ago that putting the Ocean Ice Palace purchase on a referendum for township residents to vote on might be a good idea. Then-councilwoman Scaturro called his comments unconscionable. As far as him being childish, that is to me, nonsense. Take a look at Mayor Acropolis's conduct this year alone for proof of what childish conduct is. I know that you like the mayor (so did I at one point), but the proof about both of them is online at the township's website under council meeting videos. Just because Councilman Toth does not blindly follow the lead of Brick Republicans does not make him a bad person or a bad politician. On the contrary, it is refreshing to me. For the past few months I've been reading your accusation that Councilman Toth decided to be a Democrat. Where is your proof at? I feel that anyone who comments on an elected officials conduct should, in the interests of fairness, provide proof of it. He is still listed as a Republican. And if Councilman Toth decides to run for mayor I feel no one should “try to stop him”, as you stated you would. Whoever is Brick's next mayor should be left up to the voters on election day, pure and simple.
Thank you for being a voice of reason.
http://signon.org/sign/reopen-the-glenwood-place?source=c.em.mt&r_by=276627 Please sign, email friends, post to facebook... Get the word out.
http://signon.org/sign/reopen-the-glenwood-place?source=c.em.mt&r_by=276627 Please sign, email friends, post to facebook... Get the word out.