Berkeley Township section of Ocean County's barrier island officially annexed to Seaside Park
Homes, beaches, and businesses that started the day in Berkeley Township are now in Seaside Park.
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Seaside Park expanded on Monday to include a 10-block stretch of barrier island that used to call Berkeley Township home. The annexation became official at noon.
You won't see the “Entering Berkeley Township” sign anymore heading south on Central Avenue because all of this - now belongs to Seaside Park.
“Four-hundred full-time residents and 1,200 property owners; 25,000 people in the summertime and we're ready for the challenge,” said Seaside Park Councilman Jerry Rotonda.
Homes, beaches, and businesses that started the day in Berkeley Township are now in Seaside Park.
“From my end of it we should have a very smooth transition. The people of South Seaside are in very good hands, and they'll be very safe,” said Seaside Park Police Chief Bryan McKay.
One of the first orders of business was picking up the trash collection, meaning the actual cans. They belong to Berkeley Township.
Crews collected hundreds of bins from the homes, just one of many changes coming to the island.
The homes will add roughly 60% more ratables to Seaside Park’s tax base, meaning a potential drop in taxes of 8% to 10%. On the flip side, Berkeley Township Mayor John Bacchione tells News 12 roughly $20,000 worth of pre-season beach badge sales will have to be refunded. In a statement, he tells News 12 “I wish them luck. It's not uncommon, but it will set a precedent for New Jersey. We're here to help and will stay on the high road but be careful what you ask for.”
“We formed a liaison committee with Council President Wilk. We are really excited about the implementation and hopeful that there's no more litigation,” said Seaside Park Councilwoman Gina Condos.
That committee made up of three people from Berkeley Township and Seaside Park will hammer out the full cost of the annexation - roads, beaches, infrastructure - potentially tens of millions of dollars. But for now, it's time to say hi to the new neighbors.
“Welcome aboard, as we say here on the barrier island,” said Alex Condos of Seaside Park.
