DLC Meeting – September 18, 2025 – Minutes
DEAL LAKE COMMISSION
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 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 | 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 #25-044 – Resolution to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting,
August 21, 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 August 21, 2025 be and the same are hereby approved (Neptune does not vote).
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Ocean
Nays: None
Abstain: Neptune
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
Resolution #25-045 – Resolution to Approve Treasurer’s Report and Pay Bills of the Deal
Lake Commission – September 18, 2025
UPON MOTION of Asbury Park, seconded by Neptune, carried that the following Treasurer’s Report for September 18, 2025 be approved and the bills listed authorized for payment:
BALANCE ON HAND – PREVIOUS MONTH
Manasquan Bank $135,660.64
NJ Cash Management Fund 16,549.91
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $152,210.55
RECEIPTS:
Interest – Manasquan Bank, August 2025 $ 403.82
Interest – NJ Cash Management Fund, August 2025 59.84
TOTAL RECEIPTS $ 463.66
TOTAL AVAILABLE $152,674.21
DISBURSEMENTS:
2025 Appropriations:
JCP&L (7/24/25 – 8/24/25) $ 51.34
Verizon (7/24/25- 8/23/25) 40.07
The New Coaster, LLC – Legal Adver. (Inv. #11055) 46.31
Clean Waters Consulting, LLC (8/1/25-8/31/25) 525.00
Mastermix Audio Media, LLC – 3rd Qtr-25 Services,
Zoom, Tele Management 451.15
Leon S. Avakian, Inc. – General Eng. (Inv. #32733) 1,110.00
Richard Gartz – CFO Services (September 2025) 650.00
Jessie M. Joseph – Clerk Services (September 2025) 675.00
Extra Space Storage – Unit Rental, September 2025 152.81
Sub-Total $ 3,826.68
DLC – 22-02 Water Quality Improvement Grant:
LSA, Inc. – Water Quality Improvements (Inv. 32732) $ 9,305.00
Clean Waters Consulting, LLC (Tasks 6,7, 8, 10) 3,450.00
Freehold Soil Conservation 3,440.00
Sub-Toal Grants $ 16,195.00
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS FOR APPROVAL 9/18/2025 $ 20,021.68
TOTAL BALANCES $132,652.53
DETAIL OF BALANCES:
Manasquan Bank $116,042.78 NJ Cash Management Fund 16,609.75
TOTAL ON DEPOSIT $132,652.53
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal
OLD BUSINESS
- 319 (H) NJDEP Stormwater Management Grant for Seaview Square Mall –
Don Brockel, Commission Chairman, said the bids were opened on Tuesday, September 16th.
Peter Avakian, P.E., Commission Engineer gave a brief explanation of the bid results. He went on to say although we are awarding the project this evening, it is still subject to DEP approval.
Resolution #25-046 – Award of Bid for the Deal Lake Commission Water Quality
Improvement Grant to Precise Construction, Inc., Freehold, NJ
at a cost not to exceed $493,270.00
UPON MOTION of Neptune, seconded by Loch Arbour, carried that the following Resolution, be and the same is hereby adopted:
WHEREAS, the Deal Lake Commission authorized the Commission Engineer to advertise for the receipt of bids for the Deal Lake Commission Water Quality Improvements Grant in the Deal Lake Watershed on July 24, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Commission Engineer did duly advertise to receive bids for the Deal Lake Commission Water Quality Improvements Grant in the Deal Lake Watershed in The Coaster on August 28, 2025; and
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
WHEREAS, in connection herewith two (2) prospective bidders picked up the bid documents: Precise Construction, Inc., Freehold, NJ and Sewer Rat Trenchless Solutions, LLC, Ocean, NJ; and
WHEREAS, two (2) bids were received on September 16, 2025:
Precise Construction, Inc., Freehold, NJ $493,270.00
Sewer Rat Trenchless Solutions, LLC, Ocean, NJ $579,615.00
WHEREAS, the Commission Engineer has recommended that a contract for the Deal Lake Commission Water Quality Improvements Grant in the Deal Lake Watershed be awarded to Precise Construction, Inc., Freehold, NJ, as per their bid proposal for the Deal Lake Commission Water Quality Improvements Grant in the Deal Lake Watershed at a cost not to exceed $493,270.00, subject to the review and approval by NJDEP; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Deal Lake Commission that it does hereby award a contract to Precise Construction, Inc., Freehold, NJ, for the Deal Lake Commission Water Quality Improvements Grant in the Deal Lake Watershed at a cost not to exceed $493,270.00, subject to the review and approval by NJDEP; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the following:
- Precise Construction, Inc.
- NJDEP
- Peter R. Avakian, P.E., Deal Lake Commission Engineer
- Dr. Stephen Souza, Deal Lake Commission Environmental Consultant
- Deal Lake Commission Chief Financial Officer
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal
Carolyn Roarty, Borough of Interlaken Commissioner, will be working on a sign to post at the location of the project.
- Shoreline Protection/Education – No Update.
- 2025 Goose Report Weed Treatment – Mr. Brockel sent the report out to the Commissioners and it is posted on our website.
- New 319(H) Grant – Revision of the Watershed Plan – No Update.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
- Deal Lake Fall Clean-Up – Mr. Brockel said the Fall Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday, October 25th from 9 am to Noon. The main location is the Asbury Park Boat Ramp but there will be five or 6 other locations as well. We will start lowering the lake on October 19th.
Resolution #25-047 – Authorizing the Deal Lake Commission to Advertise the 2025 Deal
Lake Fall Clean-Up
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Neptune, carried that the following Resolution be and the same is hereby adopted:
WHEREAS, the Deal Lake Commission sponsors an annual fall clean-up to remove accumulated debris and trash from the watershed; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 2025 Fall Clean-Up be scheduled for October 25, 2025 from 9:00 AM to Noon and the Commission Clerk, is hereby directed to place ads in The Coaster to include information noted above and alerting the residents of the lake lowering with regard to the October 25, 2025 Clean-Up and the blowing of leaves in the lake in an amount not to exceed $400.00.
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal
Jeannie Toher, City of Asbury Park Commissioner, asked the Commission Clerk if the DLC QR Code could be placed in the ad.
Resolution #24-048 – Authorizing the Commission Chairman to Purchase Supplies for the
2025 Deal Lake Fall Clean-Up
UPON MOTION of Neptune, seconded by Interlaken, carried that the following Resolution be and the same is hereby adopted:
WHEREAS, there exists a need to purchase supplies, from time to time, for the clean-ups that are sponsored by the Deal Lake Commission; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Deal Lake Commission that it hereby authorizes the Chairman of the Deal Lake Commission or his designee, to purchase supplies for the 2025 Deal Lake Fall Clean-Up in an amount not to exceed $500.00.
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
RECORDED VOTE:
Ayes: Asbury Park, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune, Ocean
Nays: None
Absent: Allenhurst, Deal
- Boy Scouts and NJNG Clean Water Day Clean- Up – October 11th – Mr. Brockel wanted to remind everyone of the Boy Scout Clean-Up on October 11th. They will be focused mostly in Interlaken.
- Asbury Park Oil Spill – Mr. Brockel sent another e-mail to the DEP and there is still no response.
- Asbury Avenue (County) Storm Drain Plan – Mr. Brockel received a call today from the County and they will be coming out next week to fix the curbing between Oxonia and Asbury Ave.
NEW BUSINESS
- Ocean Township Shade Tree Collaboration – Patty Cronheim, was at the meeting representing the Ocean Township Shade Tree Commission. She went on speak about the DEP Grant Ocean Township received to hire an expert to help with their Community Forestry Management Plan. She is looking for input from the DLC on some of their priorities regarding trees. The meeting that took place was recorded and is on the Ocean Township website www.oceantwp.org.
- Newsletter – Mr. Brockel thanked Jeannie Toher for the work she did on the newsletter.
- Sheriff’s Office Presentation: Scott Nielson from the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management, was at the meeting to explain the Realtime Water Level / Weather Station. The County is looking to install additional sensors and they feel Deal Lake would be ideal. It would give water height data in real time. It is strictly run a solar power. The initial cost is approximately $11,000.00 plus an annual fee.
Margot Fernicola, Village of Loch Arbour Commissioner, asked if this would help with flooding.
Mr. Nielson said this does not predict flooding.
There was more discussion on the weather station and the DLC will revisit the subject next year.
Ms. Toher asked if all 2025 Assessments have been paid.
She was told everyone except for the City of Asbury Park
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
UPON MOTION of Ocean, seconded by Interlaken, moved that the meeting be opened to the public
Jay Boyd, W. Allenhurst, asked where was the oil spill.
Mr. Brockel explained it is located on Memorial Drive in Asbury Park. Luckily it was by one of the MTD’s the DLC installed over there.
There were no other public comments at this time and UPON MOTION of Neptune, seconded by Interlaken, carried that the public hearing be closed.
COMMISSIONER’S LAST WORD
- Carolyn Roarty, Borough of Interlaken Commissioner, wanted to mention an article she read on the Urban Coast Institute, talking about Dr. Adolf, CLoNet and testing on Deal Lake.
- Eric Houghtaling, Township of Neptune Commissioner, congratulated the DLC on the Grant.
- Jeannie Toher, City of Asbury Park Commissioner, wanted to double check that the next DLC meeting is October 16th.
- Margot Fernicola, Village of Loch Arbour Commissioner, reminded everyone that the Clean Ocean Beach Sweep is October 18th from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Also pointed out that there is a tremendous amount of litter in Loch Arbour.
There being no further business and UPON MOTION Neptune, seconded by Interlaken, carried that the meeting be finally adjourned at 8:10 PM.
_____________________________
Jessie M. Joseph, RMC
Commission Clerk