DLC Meeting – December 4, 2025 – Minutes
DEAL LAKE COMMISSION
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 2025
The Regular Meeting of the Deal Lake Commission was held in the Borough of Interlaken Municipal Building, 100 Grassmere Avenue and via teleconference using the Zoom Meeting Platform. The Commission Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. After the Salute to the Flag, the Commission Clerk announced that the notice requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act C.231, P.L. 1975, were met by transmitting the notice to the Commission’s official newspaper on February 6, 2025, posting where required and filing a copy of the notice with the Commission Clerk. The Deal Lake Commission meeting will be audio and video taped and will be shown on APTV, Optimum 77 and throughout Monmouth County on FIOS 28.
ROLL CALL
| PRESENT | ABSENT | |
| Allenhurst | x | |
| Asbury Park (J. Toher) | x | |
| Deal (B. Coffey) | x | |
| Interlaken (C. Roarty) | x | |
| Loch Arbour (M. Fernicola) | x | |
| Neptune (E. Houghtaling) | x | |
| Ocean (D. Brockel) | x |
OTHERS PRESENT:
Dr. Stephen Souza, Commission Environmental Consultant
Peter Avakian, P.E., Commission Engineer
Paul Fernicola, Esq., Commission Attorney
Jessie M. Joseph, Commission Clerk
Resolution #25-051 – Resolution to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting,
October 16, 2025
UPON MOTION of Asbury Park, seconded by Interlaken, carried that the following Resolution be and the same is hereby adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Deal Lake Commission held on October 16, 2025 be and the same are hereby approved.
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst
Resolution #25-052 – Resolution to Approve Treasurer’s Report and Pay Bills of the Deal
Lake Commission – December 4, 2025
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 2025
UPON MOTION of Interlaken, seconded by Ocean, carried that the following Treasurer’s Report for December 4, 2025 be approved and the bills listed authorized for payment:
BALANCE ON HAND – PREVIOUS MONTH
Manasquan Bank $105,230.29
NJ Cash Management Fund 16,667.07
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $121,897.36
RECEIPTS:
Village of Loch Arbour – 2025 Goose Remediation $ 343.00
Township of Ocean – 2025 Goose Remediation 1,806.53
Borough of Deal – 2025 Goose Remediation 160.07
Borough of Allenhurst – 2025 Goose Remediation 251.54
Township of Neptune – 2025 Goose Remediation 91.47
Borough of Interlaken – 2025 Goose Remediation 914.69
Lakes 22-057 Stormwater Grant – Advance #1 200,340.00
Interest – Manasquan Bank, October & November 2025 571.51
Interest – NJ Cash Management Fund, October &
November 2025 111.31
TOTAL RECEIPTS $204,590.12
TOTAL AVAILABLE $326,487.48
DISBURSEMENTS:
2025 Appropriations:
JCP&L (9/25/25 – 11/24/25) $ 13.29
Verizon (9/24/25- 11/23/25) 80.30
The New Coaster, LLC – Legal Adver. (Inv. #11320) 378.00
Clean Waters Consulting, LLC (10/1/25-10/31/25) 350.00
Leon S. Avakian, Inc. – General Eng. (Inv. #33329) 370.00
Donald Brockel (Lake Supplies for Clean-Up &
Weather Station) 452.12
Richard Gartz – CFO Services (November &
December 2025) 1,300.00
Jessie M. Joseph – Clerk Services (November &
December 2025) 1,350.00
Jessie M. Joseph, 2026 Lake Lowering Permit (NJDEP) 2.00
Paul V. Fernicola & Associates, LLC – Legal Services 1,265.90
Extra Space Storage – Unit Rental, November &
December 2025 305.62
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 2025
Sub-Total $ 5,867.23
DLC – 22-02 Water Quality Improvement Grant:
LSA, Inc. – Water Quality Improvements (Inv. 33328 $ 5,136.25
Clean Waters Consulting, LLC (Task 8) 1,200.00
Freehold Soil Conservation District (Inspection Fees –
Fees Paid 10/24/25) 1,180.00
Sub-Total Grants $ 7,516.25
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS FOR APPROVAL 12/4/2025 $ 13,383.48
TOTAL BALANCES $313,104.00
DETAIL OF BALANCES:
Manasquan Bank $296,325.62 NJ Cash Management Fund 16,778.38
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $313,104.00
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst
OLD BUSINESS
- 319 (H) NJDEP Stormwater Management Grant for Seaview Square Mall – Don Brockel, Commission Chairman, announced that the DEP has issued a stop work order for the project.
Peter Avakian, Commission Engineer, gave a brief summary of the project status. He explained that NJDEP will not accept the Vortechs units we proposed in our original grant agreement, that they approved. He said we have successfully used these units for our previous projects. Also, NJDEP will not allow us to use the US Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey of Monmouth County to classify the soils for the rain gardens. They are requiring that we take soil borings to provide a more reliable representation of the soils at the site. Lastly, they are requesting revisions to the rain garden maintenance plan to clarify corrective maintenance procedures and frequencies. They are requesting project completion by July 31st and DEP will do their review between July 31st to October 31st. They are basically asking us to redesign the project. We are not fighting with them; we are looking at alternatives to get the project done.
Dr. Stephen Souza, Commission Environmental Consultant, said a memo was sent to DEP explaining in detail, that the stormwater regs are specific to new development and redevelopment which this is neither. Those regulations have no bearing on what we had
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 2025
proposed to do or what we are doing. They have acknowledged that and they basically dug their heels in and they have a list of approved MTD’s which are tied back to the new stormwater regulations. It’s a circular argument. The other issues can be addressed in a few hours. The big thing is we have these structures that cost a lot of money. The supplier will not begin construction on them unless they are prepaid and we’re at an impasse with DEP.
Mr. Brockel said he has spoken to Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Margie Donlon and they sent a letter to the DEP.
There was more discussion on the project.
- Shoreline Protection/Education – Jeannie Toher, City of Asbury Park Commissioner, sent a letter to DEP to set-up a meeting and is waiting for a response.
- New 319(H) Grant – Revision of Watershed Plan – Mr. Brockel said we did not get the grant.
- 2025 Deal Lake Fall Clean-Up October 25th – Mr. Brockel reported there were at least 160 people that turned out for the clean-up. Over a ton of material was removed and we took a lot of stuff out after because we had the storm right afterwards and everything floated down to the flume.
- Asbury Park Oil Spill – No Update.
- Asbury Avenue (County) Storm Drain Plan – No action yet.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution #25-053 – Approve the Proposed Budget and Assessments for 2026
UPON MOTION of Interlaken, seconded by Neptune, carried, that the following Budget for the year 2026 be and the same is hereby approved as proposed and the Clerk be directed to notify constituent municipalities of their 2026 assessments (no change from 2025):
| REVENUES: | 2026 |
| Allenhurst | $ 2,750.00 |
| Asbury Park | 11,000.00 |
| Deal | 1,750.00 |
| Interlaken | 10,000.00 |
| Loch Arbour | 3,750.00 |
| Neptune | 1,000.00 |
| Ocean | 19,750.00 |
| Surplus Applied | 29,000.00 |
| TOTAL REVENUES ANTICIPATED FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS | $79,000.00 |
| EXPENDITURES: | |
| 401 – Administration (Clerk) | $ 8,200.00 |
| 402 – Postage | 300.00 |
| 403 – Supplies | 750.00 |
| 404 – Advertising | 1,000.00 |
| 410 – Administration (CFO) | 7,800.00 |
| 411 – Legal Fees | 3,000.00 |
| 413 – Insurance | 4,500.00 |
| 420 – Engineering | 8,500.00 |
| 430 – Audit Fees | 2,250.00 |
| LAKE MAINTENANCE: | |
| 442 – Environmental Consultant | 7,000.00 |
| 443 – General Lake Maintenance | 29,700.00 |
| OTHER: | |
| 450 – Special Projects including website
Hosting/maintenance/virtual meeting expense |
4,500.00 |
| 470 – Utility Expenses | 1,500.00 |
| Sub-total Operating Expenditures | $79,000.00 |
| TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $79,000.00 |
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst
- JCP&L Public Scoping Hearing – Mr. Brockel said JCP&L wants to purchase a lot from Ocean Township which is Green Acres and they will be holding a Public Hearing on it. It’s right on the lake and they will be putting a giant metal pole at that location.
- Mr. Brockel reported that Ocean Township will be doing work on the sewer lines and if you see smoke coming out of the sewers do not worry, it is okay.
- Mr. Brockel received a memo from Dave Brown, Township Manager for Ocean Township, letting him know the dredging at Fireman’s Pond has been delayed.
Mr. Avakian gave a brief explanation of the two problems they ran into that need to be fixed prior to the dredging beginning.
- Jason Robinson, is part of the NJ Watershed Ambassador Program and he is the ambassador for the Monmouth and he came to the meeting to introduce himself to the Commission. He
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 2025
explained that they are a program that works with communities and agencies and provides free educational outreach to the public and communities to foster stewardship of the watershed. He said they work with these agencies for projects such as rain barrel workshops, rain gardens, tree plantings, and he wanted to offer his services and maybe partner with the Commission on a project.
COMMISSIONER’S LAST WORD
- Margot Fernicola, Village of Loch Arbour Commissioner, reported on the following:
- Pleased to announce that Melanie Nowlin, will be back as the Alternate to the Deal Lake Commission for Loch Abour in 2026.
- The sewers are being vacuumed in Loch Arbour.
- There is no sand at Ocean Place.
- Carolyn Roarty, Borough of Interlaken Commissioner, said the clean-up on the 25th was one of the best group of volunteers we’ve ever had. Kudos to the Monmouth University team for organizing that. Wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
- Eric Houghtaling, Township of Neptune Commissioner, congratulations on a terrific clean-up. Wished everyone a Happy Holiday and Great New Year.
- Bobbi Coffey, Borough of Deal Commissioner, the Town Meeting for Deal is tomorrow morning at 9:00 am.
- Jeannie Toher, City of Asbury Park Commissioner, is happy we are involving Senator Gopal and the Assemblywomen to help with the Grant.
- Don Brockel, Commission Chairman and Township of Ocean Commissioner, spoke about the grant and he hopes that everything will work out. This was a milestone project.
Mr. Avakian said in the next month he will sit down with Stephen Myer from his office and Dr. Souza and to go over the list of the units approved by DEP and see if there are any that would work for us.
PUBLIC HEARING
UPON MOTION of Asbury Park, seconded by Neptune, moved that the meeting be opened to the public
Bob Jazorowski, Township of Ocean, announced that the Deal Lake Watershed Alliance will be holding a Walk Through Wanamassa on January 10th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, meeting at the parking lot by the Firehouse.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 2025
Michael from Wanamassa, wanted to thank Don for being so responsive to his e-mails regarding the drainage problems they are having on his street and the dredging.
Jack Mueller, asked when the next Clean-up will be.
Mr. Brockel said either March 28th or April 4th. Keep looking on the DLC website for an update.
There were no other public comments at this time and UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, carried that the public hearing be closed.
UPON MOTION of Asbury Park, seconded by Loch Arbour, moved to go into Closed Session for the following:
C1. Contract Negotiation
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst
There being no further business and UPON MOTION Interlaken, seconded by Ocean, carried that the meeting be finally adjourned at 7:55 PM.
_____________________________
Jessie M. Joseph, RMC
Commission Clerk