Brant Beach Bulletin – February 17 2024
This issue covers Township topics and includes the first in a series of articles spotlighting Brant Beach businesses. This month, we highlight The Barrel Surf Café.
Representatives from the Brant Beach Taxpayers Association including Pete Potochney, Mike F., Georgia Glasser and Ben Tonti attended the February 5 Commissioner’s Meeting.
❖ LBI BEACH REPLENISHMENT UPDATE #2. Last month, the Township reported that LBI’s beach replenishment had been moved up to, potentially, the fall. This month, it looks like the schedule has accelerated further. The Army Corps of Engineers now expects to request bids in March with contract award projected as early as April. That means work could begin in the summer. The Township has no information yet on the actual work schedule or locations since that will be determined as part of contract award. The Township will provide scheduling information as soon as it becomes available.
❖ RUSTY WATER. While the Township announces when it conducts routine hydrant flushing, occasionally an event like a water main break can cause homeowners to experience unexpected rusty water. Commissioner Meehan indicated the Township would endeavor to use Nixle to alert homeowners whenever this happens in the future. Sign up for Nixle alerts here.
❖ 2024 TOWNSHIP PROJECTS. Mayor Mancini clarified that the parking spaces being added to the north side of the 68th street municipal building will accommodate Township vehicles which will, in turn, free up additional parking.
❖ TOWNSHIP OFFICES are closed Monday, February 19 for Presidents’ Day.
❖ Ordinances proposed first reading
24-05 This ordinance establishes landscaping fees, requires construction permits for some plantings, and revises upward the distance plantings must be from public roadways.
23-04 This ordinance clarifies parking space requirements for new construction. Essentially, each required space must have adequate ingress and egress to the street.
23-06 This ordinance updates the regulations for business and mercantile licenses.
24-02 and 24-03 These are bond authorizations in the amounts of $235,000 and $965,000, respectively, for equipment for the Water & Sewer and Public Works Departments.
❖ Ordinance passed second reading
24-01 The State of New Jersey requires that all jobs in every municipality in the state must have an established salary range and each employee’s salary must fall within the appropriate range. In addition, all municipalities are annually required to pass an ordinance that states these ranges and includes any adjustments. This ordinance fulfills that requirement and includes salary ranges for all Township employees.
Spotlight on our Brant Beach businesses:
The Barrel Surf Cafe
Part of the joy of owning a home in Brant Beach is the sense of belonging when you see the same neighbors at the beach each day or are greeted by familiar faces when you enter a local business.
One of our best local-vibe eateries is the Barrel Surf Café, located at 58th and the Boulevard, owned by Connor Devaney. Long time residents remember the Brant Beach Village General Store, with its penny candy, root beer on tap, old-timey décor, and sometimes stern shopkeeper. The location was sold, renovated and operated as the Island Market before Connor took the opportunity to open it in 2023 with a different twist.
The neighborhood needed a place to grab breakfast or lunch when heading out for a day on the boat or coming off the beach at noon. Many lifeguards and surfers gather each morning at the outside tables. (“Barrel” refers to the shape of the perfect wave.) It’s a short walk from the Brant Beach Yacht Club, where Connor spent his childhood summers and where his grandfather was Commodore in 1974.
Connor is a lifelong islander, attending the Beach Haven Elementary School and Southern Regional before heading to college on a golf scholarship. He entered the restaurant business at 16, busing tables at Panzone’s in Beach Haven and later working all aspects at Steve Depietro’s Blue Water Café and California Grill.
After college and several years of traveling and surfing around the globe, Connor returned to the island and, with brother-in-law Jordan Farias, started the Barrel Mobile Bar, a fleet of custom-built cocktail bars on wheels popular at weddings and private events. Connor recently married Sarah Farias, who owns the 506 Boutique in Surf City and is about to open a second store in St. Augustine, Florida. They have a Cape Cod in North Beach but are frequently found at one of the homes of the extended Devaney and Farias families. This winter, they are in St. Augustine getting the new 506 store ready.
With the Café entering its second year, Connor plans to up his game with the Café’s coffee and espresso offerings, expand the menu, and stay open until 5 or 6pm for folks who want to pick up dinner. They will continue to offer prepared dinners from Rosetti’s Italian Market in Medford.
The Barrel Surf Café will open on weekends starting in early May, expanding to seven days a week in the summer. Stop by and say hi to our island boy Connor, who grew up and stayed local!
Thank you for being a part of
The Brant Beach Taxpayers Association
