DLC Meeting – May 15, 2025 – Minutes
DEAL LAKE COMMISSION
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
MAY 15, 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 (Alt. T. Mauro) | 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:
Peter Avakian, Commission Engineer
Dr. Stephen Souza, Commission Environmental Consultant
Jessie M. Joseph, Commission Clerk
Resolution #25-032 – Resolution to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting,
April 24, 2025
UPON MOTION of Neptune, 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 April 24, 2025 be and the same are hereby approved (Deal does not vote).
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Abstain: Deal
Absent: None
Resolution #25-033 – Resolution to Approve Treasurer’s Report and Pay Bills of the Deal
Lake Commission – May 15, 2025
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
May 15, 2025
UPON MOTION of Asbury Park, seconded by Neptune, carried that the following Treasurer’s Report for April 24, 2025 be approved and the bills listed authorized for payment:
BALANCE ON HAND – PREVIOUS MONTH
Manasquan Bank $174,918.23
NJ Cash Management Fund 16,317.15
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $191,235.38
RECEIPTS:
Interest – Manasquan Bank, April 2025 $ 405.04
Interest – NJ Cash Management Fund, April 2025 56.96
TOTAL RECEIPTS $ 462.00
TOTAL AVAILABLE $191,697.38
DISBURSEMENTS:
2025 Appropriations:
JCP&L (3/25/25 – 4/25/25) $ 45.00
Verizon (3/24/25- 4/23/25) 40.01
The New Coaster, LLC – Legal Advertising (Inv. #10369) 20.58
Clean Waters Consulting, LLC (4/1/25-4/30/25) 525.00
Leon S. Avakian, Inc. – General Engineering
(Invoices #30999, 31281) 2,590.00
Richard Gartz – CFO Services (May 2025) 650.00
Jessie M. Joseph – Clerk Services (May 2025) 675.00
Donald Brockel (Team Viewer) 318.60
Sub-Total 4,864.19
DLC – 22-02 Water Quality Improvement Grant:
LSA, Inc. – Water Quality Improvements (Inv. 31000) $ 4,742.50
LSA, Inc. – Water Quality Improvements (Inv. 31282) 1,110.00
Sub-Total Grants $ 5,852.50
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS FOR APPROVAL 5/15/2025 $ 10,716.69
TOTAL BALANCES $180,980.69
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
MAY 15, 2025
DETAIL OF BALANCES:
Manasquan Bank $164,606.58
NJ Cash Management Fund 16,374.11
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $180,980.69
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: None
OLD BUSINESS
- NJDEP Stormwater Management Grant for Seaview Square Mall – Don Brockel, Commission Chairman, read from the e-mail received today stating the latest updates to the agreement that were holding up the execution of the agreement have been resolved. They are moving the agreement forward for final execution. We should be receiving an automatic message from the DEP in the SAGE system as soon as the agreement is fully executed.
Peter Avakian, Commission Engineer, explained that typically the DEP does not allow for the design work to begin until the agreement is signed by both parties. The DEP allowed us to start, which we did. We have completed the field survey of Seaview Square Mall loop road and finalizing the bid specs. He went on to once again explain what the project will entail and how it will control the stormwater and drainage coming from the Seaview Square Mall area.
- Shoreline Protection/Education – Jeannie Toher, City of Asbury Park Commissioner, read from a prepared statement explaining that the last time we had a meeting with NJDEP Code Enforcement people was 2022 to discuss our concerns about the lack of enforcement. She has been trying to reach them to set up a meeting and just this week she received an e-mail saying they would like to meet and the names of our contacts. Mr. Brockel, Ms. Toher and Dr. Souza (DLC Environmental Consultant), will be meeting with the people in charge of the Deal Lake region.
Dr. Souza, also explained that we now have two people we will be able to contact. He went on to say we have developed materials and distributed it to the towns and lakefront property owners informing them about some of the limitations they have in terms of clearing vegetation within 50 feet of the edge of the lake. Prior to our meeting with the DEP, we will be putting together an agenda that will have our points laid out ahead of time, so they will be able to understand our problems, issues and where we need their help.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
MAY 15, 2025
Mr. Brockel thanked Ms. Toher for sending out the Guide to Lakefront Homeowners to the Commissioners in digital form so they can distribute it to their municipalities and hopefully put it on their websites as well as distributing it to their construction departments.
- 2025 Weed Treatment – Jessie Joseph, Commissioner Clerk, sent back the signed Proposal to Lake Management Sciences.
Dr. Souza said Lake Management Sciences will be securing all of the permits and using NJDEP and EPA approved aquatic herbicides. He went on to explain the process. The first part is for them to come out towards the end of the month to make a visual assessment. If a treatment is needed, they will try and time it towards the end of June. It will be done on an as needed basis.
- 2025 Goose Management – Mr. Brockel said it is going well. People are calling in when they see a nest. He stressed to the public if you see a nest to call it in or contact one your DLC Commissioner.
Ms. Toher once again explained the procedure.
- Ms. Toher asked if all Towns have signed and returned the Amendment to the DLC Agreement.
The Commissioner Clerk reported the second agreement should be going out shortly. Asbury Park has not returned the original DLC Agreement or the First Amendment. Asbury Park’s 2025 Assessment is still outstanding.
- Mr. Brockel wanted to compliment the Asbury Park Sewer Authority and Road Department for the great job they did in stopping the flow of sewerage into the lake that was spotted during our clean-up. The leak was shut down to a trickle within two hours from when it was found and a total shut down within twelve hours. The discharge has been repaired and Deal Lake has been given the okay for swimming and fishing.
NEW BUSINESS
- Mr. Brockel has been in contact with the County requesting they revisit the water testing for e. coli at various locations along the lake, especially by the bridges. He is hoping they will start testing the water monthly during the summer months.
- Mr. Brockel updated the Commissioners on the remediation of a major oil spill that occurred on Deal Lake a few years ago because of back-to-back storms. The source of the oil leak was found and remediated. They did a great job remediating the spill but the DEP was supposed to look at the lake to see what effects if any, it had on the lake. He reached out to DEP but has not heard back. He will continue to reach out to them.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
MAY 15, 2025
- Mr. Brockel reported on the following questions and comments from the public that were received on the DLC website:
- Duck nest found in Asbury Park Rain Garden by City Hall, what should they do.
Answer: Let the ducks hatch.
- Received a scathing e-mail about the condition of the shoreline and realized they were referring to Sunset Lake. After a visit to Sunset Lake, he contacted the Sunset Lake Commission and they are all over it. They are holding their clean-up on June 7th.
- NJDEP Fish & Wildlife has stocked the lake with 6,215 Northern Pike.
- Trees that have fallen in the lake.
Answer: If it’s a navigation issue it should be remove otherwise leave it. It’s great for fish, turtle and bird habitat. Trees in the lake aren’t a bad thing.
- New 319(H) Grant – There is a new grant and we have two weeks to put it together. Dr. Souza explained the basics of the grant. There are limited projects the DEP will fund and given the problems we just had with bacteria contamination, we will be putting together a watershed management plan. We do have a plan but it is over fifteen years old. Our goal will be to update our plan with additional emphasis placed on problems associated with bacteria contamination of the lake from various sources.
- Mr. Brockel announced the kick-off of CLONET on June 23rd at Monmouth University from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It is going to highlight the results from community and Monmouth University samplings. The link will be placed on the DLC website.
- Ms. Toher reported that she was contacted by the Environmental Shade Tree Commission in Asbury Park and the Shark River Coalition, asking that we help support the petition that’s up to the Governor to support the NJ Real Rules. She proceeded to show where the petition is located on the DLC website. She asked Dr. Souza to give a brief explanation of the Real Rules.
Mr. Avakian said the DLC should be very careful on what they agree to support because these regulations have a very negative impact on our coastal communities. He went on to say Allenhurst, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour are all going to have their flood hazard elevations elevated so significantly, that the properties that are currently above the flood hazard area, will no longer be and they may not be able to get flood hazard insurance.
Mr. Brockel said we should remove the petition from our website until we can talk about it more.
PUBLIC HEARING
UPON MOTION of Neptune, seconded by Asbury Park, moved that the meeting be opened to the public.
Bob Jaserowicz, Ocean Township, announced the Watershed Alliance Paddle will be held on May 24th at 9:00 AM starting at the Asbury Park Boat Ramp.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
MAY 15, 2025
Ms. Toher said the Monmouth County Park System is now doing paddles on three lakes and Deal Lake is one of them
There being no further comments and UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Allenhurst, carried that the public hearing be closed.
Mr. Avakian announced that the Borough of Interlaken has changed their meeting date to June 19th which is the same night as the Deal Lake Commission’s meeting.
After a brief discussion and UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Asbury Park it was decided to move the next regular Meeting of the Deal Lake Commission to Wednesday, June 18th at 7:00 PM.
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
COMMISSIONER’S LAST WORD
Carolyn Roarty, Borough of Interlaken Commissioner, with all of the construction going on in Town, she is going to speak with the Council in Interlaken about making silt fences part of the construction permit process.
Mr. Avakian said the Borough could adopt an ordinance requiring soil erosion control on every property.
Margot Fernicola, Village of Loch Arbour Commissioner, keeps reminding the residents that what they do at their homes effects the lake and the ocean.
Tony Mauro, Borough of Allenhurst Alternate Commissioner, is very pleased with the continuing great work the DLC is doing.
Eric Houghtling, Township of Neptune Commissioner, complimented Don and Peter on the Seaview Square Mall project.
There being no further business and UPON MOTION Neptune, seconded by Allenhurst, carried that the meeting be finally adjourned at 8:00 PM.
_____________________________
Jessie M. Joseph, RMC
Commission Clerk