Brant Beach Bulletin
February 7th, 2026
This issue covers many topics including the school tax issue, the BBTA Winter Speaker Series, new e-bike regulations, and the Township Commissioners Public Meeting.
❖ You’re invited to “Tides of Terror: The Hurricanes and Nor’easters That Shaped Our Island” Dramatic accounts and riveting photographs courtesy of Barnegat Light Museum Curator Reilly P. Sharp will reveal the scale of destruction from some of the Island’s most damaging storms, while also highlighting the resilience of Islanders over the centuries who have overcome Mother Nature’s wrath for the chance to live by and with the ocean in all its beauty, bounties, and fury.
BBTA and BBYC members are invited to join us for this exciting and informative talk at 10am on Saturday, February 14th at the Brant Beach Yacht Club Sailing Center at 6106 Bayview Avenue.
The first thirty minutes will feature refreshments and socializing with your neighbors, followed by a one-hour presentation. This free event is open only to BBTA and BBYC members. No registration is required. Families are welcome.
Upcoming topics in this speaker series include “Ellen Low, Barnegat Lighthouse Keeper” on March 7, and “Boating with Safety and Confidence” on April 11.
❖ Regional school taxes: Interest in the Southern Regional School District (SRSD) school tax situation has been reignited island-wide by a recent NJ Supreme Court decision.
LBI taxpayers fund 80% of SRSD’s budget with only 8% of the students and LBI has only three seats on the nine-seat school board, which seems out of balance given our financial contribution.
Because of the increased attention this situation is receiving, the Joint Council of Taxpayers Associations of LBI (JCTA) has urged all of the LBI mayors to commission a non-binding feasibility study that would explore all options around changing the island’s relationship with SRSD. As reported in the Sandpaper, Mayor Mancini has expressed his support for the study, while some other mayors on LBI currently do not.
Sandpaper writer Gina Scala’s article “JCTA Renews Funding Talk for Southern” appears in the February 4th issue on page 24 and page 34. In addition, the full JCTA press release outlining the united position of the eleven LBI taxpayer associations will be emailed to all BBTA members.
BBTA will keep you informed of any developments.
❖ Snow Plowing: Our Public Works crews did a commendable job of clearing the roads after the recent major storm, but also plowed in the driveways of some winter residents who had left their porch lights on to signal occupancy. Many homeowners, especially older and disabled residents, called for and received follow-up service. A new DPW “action” phone number is planned.
Commissioner Meehan indicated that while the Township will try to avoid plowing across driveways of occupied homes (as indicated by lights), their first priority is to clear the roads, then to clear fire hydrants, and then to respond to calls for follow-up service. Commissioner Meehan also stated that the Township will endeavor to clear the build up from plowing on the street in front of driveways, but it cannot clear driveways on private property.
❖ Tough new e-bike rules: New Jersey now requires a license to ride all forms of e-bikes, including pedal-assist bikes. Riders must be at least 15 years old and meet specific requirements including passing tests and obtaining registration and insurance. The license requirements for those without a standard driver license include 6 points of ID, a written test, a vision test, a permit process, and a road test. Those aged 14 or under may not operate an e-bike. Riders have six months to comply.
❖ Single digits on Sunday! Low temps plus high winds equal frozen pipe risks. Are you registered with Watersmart to be notified of high water usage? Have you filed a Homeowner Emergency Contact Form?
❖ Beach erosion: In some areas of Brant Beach, the high tide now touches the dune. Contact your representatives in Washington Senator Cory Booker, Senator Andy Kim, and Congressman Jeff Van Drew to press for Federal beach replenishment funding to be restored.
❖ NJ REAL (Resilient Environments And Landscapes) took effect on January 20, increasing the required elevation for new buildings by 4 feet. Rumor has it that the construction office was very crowded the day before. Here’s BBTA’s FAQ on the new rules.
❖ Action on the old Kubel’s Too property included a Township designation as “an area in need of rehabilitation”, which the current owners objected to. The property has been approved for a restaurant, bar, liquor store and apartment, and is up for sale. The liquor license is active and would be part of the sale.
❖ Register for the Philadelphia Flower Show trip hosted by the Township Recreation Department on March 4 here.
❖ The Municipal Building is closed on Monday, February 9 and Monday, February 16 for Lincoln’s birthday and Presidents Day, respectively.
COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
Representatives from the Brant Beach Taxpayers Association including Pete Potochney, Mike Fahner, Georgia Glasser, Donn O’Brien, and Ben Tonti attended the February 2 Long Beach Township Commissioners’ Meeting.
All Township owners and residents are welcome to speak at the monthly Commissioners’ Meeting, which is held at 4pm on the first Monday of the month.
Ordinances
❖ Proposed on First Reading.
26-02: Allows the Township to increase next year’s budget by up to 3.5%, which is 1% above the state cap of 2.5%. This ordinance is passed annually as a precaution and has never been invoked.
❖ Passed on Second Reading None.
26-01: “An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Annual Salaries, Designating Holidays and Providing for Overtime Compensation of Certain Officers and Employees of the Township of Long Beach, County of Ocean, New Jersey.” This is the 2026 version of this annually required ordinance. If you enjoy 14 pages of salary lists and municipal minutiae, click here. Did you know that ice cream trucks pay $5000 and the Bayview Park food vendor pays $3000?
Useful Links
Commissioners Meetings: View agendas and minutes.
Township Land Use Board: View agendas, applications, and memorializations. BBTA will inform you of any commercial properties in Brant Beach that come before the Land Use Board.
LBI Board of Education: View general information, agendas, and minutes.
LBT Field Station for Marine Education and Research: LBT Marine Field Station
Thank you for your continued support of the Brant Beach Taxpayers Association.
