Ocean County Tax Records

In an effort to increase government transparency, The Governors office recently launched a website that provides the public with data that makes it easier to understand New Jersey's public finances. Included on this website, www.YourMoney.NJ.Gov, is an interactive map that displays the Garden States' 3.1 million property tax assessment records.

With the new property tax feature, REALTORS® and consumers can check individual records in their town or community, jump from record to record and compare assessments and taxes from one town to another. Records detail the address, block and lot number, property class, owner name, value of land and buildings, and the prior year's taxes. The database will be updated annually.

In addition to property tax records, the Governor has made available performance budgeting data from 22 agencies, seven years of State spending and revenue data, 276,299 pension recipient records, data from nineteen independent authorities and purchasing data for 7,994 state vendors. Be sure to visit the website frequently to provide your feedback and view upcoming reports. From: http://www.njar.com/government_affairs/index.php

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Jersey Shore Ocean County Real Estate 

 

Help Save Ocean County's Pine Barrens

The Ocean County Pine Barrens are under threat from the southern pine beetle.

The survey estimated that southern pine beetle affected a record 14,100 acres in 2010. Since 2001, the beetle has affected 26,000 acres of South Jersey pine forests, or about 6 percent of the all pine trees.

Southern pine beetle adults bore into a tree's bark, and lay eggs within S-shaped galleries they create. As the beetles create their egg galleries, they chew up the cambial layer of the tree, which cuts off the tree's supply of water and nutrients. The eggs hatch into larvae which also feed on the cambial layer.

An infested tree's needles will rapidly turn from green to yellow to brown, in as little as two weeks following initial attack. Newly attacked trees also may have soft, popcorn-sized, yellow-white sap pitch tubes found on the tree trunk. The southern pine beetle prefers pitch pine, but will attack most pine species.

Research has indicated that an SPB outbreak occurred in southern NJ in 1939. There has not been another known outbreak in the Garden State until fall of 2001.
It is theorized that the late 1990's drought, interstate commerce and above average temperatures occurring in the Mid-Atlantic region have contributed to the SPB migrating northward to New Jersey. The forest environment under stress increased the susceptibility to SPB attack. After establishing a presence in the Garden State, the beetles, attracted to pheromones of other beetles and the scent of trees in stress, fly to infest new trees.

Preferred Hosts
The SPB's naturally ranges from Pennsylvania to Florida. The SPB attacks all species of pines, but prefers pitch, shortleaf, pond, and loblolly, which all occur in southern NJ. Initial SPB damage appears as yellow progressing to red and eventually brown within 1 to 2 months. Infested pine trees die within 3-4 months of initial attack.

Fire Danger
Needles falling off the branches land on understory vegetation creating a fuel ladder effect, which facilitates wildfires reaching the tree crowns. Trees that may still have dry dead needles on the branches could quickly erupt and wildfire could grow to conflagration proportions.

The Southern Pine Beetle(SPB) Dendroctonus frontalisis a forest pest that attacks stands of pine trees in New Jersey. The New Jersey Forest Service has seen a dramatic increase of SPB infestations in Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, and Cumberlands Counties in 2010.

Report a beetle sighting
Southern Regional office         Trenton office
(609) 625-1124                     (609) 292-2531

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Jersey Shore

 

Wild New Jersey

No, it's not an especially crazy episode of the locally-despised series The Jersey Shore, it's a new book chronicling author David Wheeler's travels through-out New Jersey's varied natural habitats.

Wheeler's New Jersey is a place where the fastest animal on earth dive-bombs him from the skies. A young black bear bounds up a mountain trail a few yards away. Poisonous snakes swirl at his feet. A thousand bats careen past his head in a pitch-black roost. Pods of dolphins swim right past him by the scores. Where? You may ask, in Wild New Jersey, of course.

Wheeler traversed mountains, valleys, beaches, forests, caves, rivers and marshlands via kayaks, pontoon boats, dogsleds, canoes and his own feet. Among his non-human companions were porcupines, bobcats, snapping turtles, beavers, Atlantic puffins and peregrine falcons...through-out the region's diverse wildlife and terrain - possibly the best kept secret in a state known for malls and diners, not nature.

The book looks at the different geographic regions of New Jersey: the Rugged Northwest, the Urban Northeast, the Jersey Shore, the Cape and Pines, and the Heartland, and includes maps and images taken by a variety of photographers.

Among the state's attractions Wheeler lists are "world-class" bird migrations along The Jersey Shore, scenic marshes around Trenton and Hamilton, and "rugged and dramatic wilderness" in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The area known as the Pine Barrens is particularly intriguing to Wheeler, who calls the region "the last true wilderness on the eastern seaboard" and lived for a time in Toms River, just outside of the 1.1 million-acre tract of forest.

Wild New Jersey invites readers along Wheeler's whirlwind year-long tour of the most ecologically diverse state for its size in America. Along with the expert guidance of charismatic wildlife biologists and local conservationists, he explores mountains, valleys, beaches, pine barrens, caves, rivers, marshlands, and more-breathtaking landscapes and the state's Noah's Ark of fascinating creatures.

This isn't your ordinary ride on the Jersey Turnpike. Fasten your seat-belts and join Wheeler as he, kayaks through the Meadowlands under the watchful eye of the Empire State Building, pans for cretaceous fossils in a hidden brook once home to mastodons and giant sloths, rides a fishing boat in the frigid snows of winter on a high-seas quest for Atlantic puffins, trudges through the eerie darkness of a bog on a mysterious night hike, dogsleds across the windswept alpine slopes in the haunts of the porcupine and bobcat.

With Wheeler's compelling narrative, in-depth background details, and eye for revealing the offbeat, you can count this as the first nature book to paint the extraordinary picture of New Jersey's unlikely wilderness in all its glory. Come along for all the adventure and insight in Wild New Jersey!

Karl Hess, Keller Willams Realty Jersey Shore

Stafford Twp Mayor Removed From Office

Stafford Township has ousted its mayor, saying he no longer lives in town.

The Township Council voted to declare the mayor's office vacated, saying it has proof Mayor John McMenamin actually lives in Surf City on Long Beach Island.

McMenamin insists he still lives in Stafford, saying the Surf City house is a second home. He's undecided whether to fight the move in court.

Council President Stan Rutkowski will serve as the acting mayor. The council has 30 days to appoint a new mayor for the rest of the unexpired term. Voters will select a full-term mayor in November.

Karl Hess, Stafford Twp Real Estate

LBI "Welcomes Summer"

It has been a long winter, and the business organizations on and around Long Beach Island have been planning the first offical Opening of the Beach and Welcoming of  Summer on May 21 beginning at 1030am at the 17th Street Beach entrance in Ship Bottom.

Families and beach goers have their choice of activities happening in the morning; which  will kick off with a free LBI Surf Fishing Clinic on the 17th Street Beach hosted by Oceanside Bait and Tackle at 1030am, as well as a " Welcome the Summer Breeze" Kite Contest sponsored by The Breeze FM  Radio Station.

Look for events happening throughout the day at Long Beach Islsnd Foundation of Arts & Sciences Green Business Panel will be hosting a live broadcast featuring enviormentally minded businesses, Sidewalk Sales in Ship Bottom, Anniversary of the Sneakbox at Tuckerton Seaport  and other activities throughout the region.  For information contact the Southern Ocean County Chamber Of Commerce at visitLBIregion.

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Karl Hess, Long Beach Island Real Estate, Jersey Shore

Manahawkin Easter Egg Hunt - Eggstravaganza!

Sunday, April 17 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Doc Cramer Ballfields - Manahawkin Easter Egg Hunt - Eggstravaganza!

Families are invited to hop on by to enjoy an afternoon of eggceptional fun

There is no need to rush, there is not a timed hunt, eggs will be scattered throughout the ballfields from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Did you know? 

The Romans believed that "All life comes from an egg." Ancient Christians considered eggs to be "the seed of life" symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia eggs were dyed for spring festivals. In medieval Europe, beautifully decorated eggs were given as gifts. Today hundreds of novel methods of decorating Easter eggs have been invented, and during the week of Easter about 30 million more eggs are sold compared to any other week of the year.

Traditionally the game is associated with Easter and Easter eggs (Easter egg hunt), but it has also been popular with spring time birthday parties.

Eggs are placed with varying degree of concealment, to accommodate children of varying ages. In South German folk traditions it was customary to add extra obstacles to the game by placing them into hard-to reach places among nettles or thorns.

When the hunt is over, prizes may be given out for various achievements, such as the largest number of eggs collected, for the largest or smallest egg, for the most eggs of a specific color, consolation prizes, booby prizes, etc.

NJ Flounder Regulations Approved; Sea Bass Season Delayed

The 2011 summer flounder regulations approved last Thursday by the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Commission increased the bag limit by two fish and lengthened the season to 142 days of fishing. Anglers can now keep eight fish at 18 inches and fish from May 7 to Sept. 25. Last year's regs were six fish at 18 inches with a season that started later, May 29, and ended sooner, Sept. 6.

At the same meeting that approved the fluke rules, it was decided that New Jersey's sea bass season will start start June 4, instead of the expected May 22. The Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP) has been an integral part of New Jersey's striped bass management since 1990. It is a popular program with the fishing community and provides valuable data for assessing stock status and fishing trends.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife (Division) initiated the program in 1990 to allow the harvest of an additional striped bass for New Jersey recreational anglers. Although the program has been modified throughout the years, the main goal of the SBBP is to allow anglers to participate in the management process while enjoying their favorite recreational pastime.

 Karl Hess, Jersey Shore Homes

Jersey Shore Beach Ranked Among Best in the World

Cape May has been ranked as the ninth best beach in the world, according to the 2011 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Beach awards.

The ranking is based on reviews from users of TripAdvisor, one of the largest travel websites in the world. Award winners were determined based on the most highly rated beach destinations by travelers in TripAdvisor reviews. Unlike any other honors, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

Top 10 in world

1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos 2. Boracay, Philippines 3. Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba 4. Negril, Jamaica 5. Tulum, Mexico 6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 7. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman 8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 9. Cape May, New Jersey 10. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Top 10 in U.S.

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 2. Cape May, New Jersey 3. Panama City Beach, Florida 4. Miami Beach, Florida 5. Sanibel Island, Florida 6. Clearwater, Florida 7. Honolulu, Hawaii 8. Captiva Island, Florida 9. Poipu, Hawaii 10. Siesta Key, Florida

Cape May also recently named one of the Top Ten Small Towns in America.

Ocean County is also home to many popular beaches such as Point Pleasant Beach, Lavallette, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Surf City, Harvey Cedars and Barnegat Light.

Ocean County offers forty miles of barrier beaches which form Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor Bay, offering ample watersports. In addition to being the northeast gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens, Ocean County is also home to several state parks:

• Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
• Island Beach State Park
• Double Trouble State Park
• Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
• Jackson State Forest
• Forked River State Marina

The Jersey Shore; home to some of the worlds best beaches.

Karl Hess, Ocean County Real Estate, Keller Williams Jersey Shore

OCC Gets New Sailing Center

Mill Creek County Park in Berkely will be the site for the new Ocean County College Sailing Center. 

The college will spend $850,000 on the project; the proposal includes a 1,400-square-foot sailing boat house, a 1,456-square-foot boat storage building, and a floating dock that Wilkins said would allow them to roll the boats right into the water for practice, then roll them back into the storage facility afterward - is a great feeling.

The OCC sailing club is open to all full time OCC students. NO experience is necessary to join! 

Students learn how to sail and then learn how to race.  OCC has an intercollegiate sailing team that sails against the top four-year schools in the nation. The college is committed to providing a first class sailing experience and training ground for our future skippers and crew members in Ocean County.

OCC has acquired 18 new 420s from generous donations from the surrounding community. They have a intercollegiate team that competes in the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association. They host both a spring and fall regatta in which eighteen schools compete and sail in regattas every weekend in the fall and six weekends in late spring.  

They currently sail three days a week at the Toms River Yacht Club on the Toms River. In April of 2010 the OCC sailing team qualified and sailed in the MAISA Championship regatta and came in first in three regattas.

For more information about the Sailing Program at Ocean County College, contact the Sailing Program Manager, at 732.255.0348.

Karl Hess, Berkeley Twp Real Estate, Keller Williams Jersey Shore

Beach Access Rules for The Jersey Shore

There's been an ongoing point of contention between Jersey Shore beach town homeowners and tourists who come to the The Jersey Shore to enjoy some of America's best beaches. 

For instance, In Mantoloking, beachgoers can only park their cars on public streets for two hours. That's two hours - max - within the entire 24-hour day.

In parts of Long Beach Island like the Loveladies section of Long Beach Township, many streets dead-end into private driveways with signs warning "Private drive. No public beach access."

And in many places, you can't even eat on the beach or find a bathroom within walking distance.

All of this has worked to keep "outsiders" away, because only local residents who live near the beach - and can walk home to eat or answer nature's call - can effectively use that beach.

New Jersey is trying a new way to address the problem. Instead of imposing a uniform standard that all shore towns must meet, it is letting individual shore communities decide what level of access is right for them, although those decisions must be approved by the state.

The new rules ask - but don't require - coastal towns to adopt a public access plan spelling out exactly where the public can get to the beach. The new beach access rules will let seaside towns propose their own plans for accommodating the public with parking and restrooms, and state Department of Environmental Protection says the agency is already in discussions with "challenging'' towns where public access has been a problem.

A court decision blocks the DEP from directly withholding beach replenishment funds from problem towns. But the new rules still have three fairly strong sanctions:

--Towns that refuse to comply with access rules would not be allowed to get state Green Acres funds and aid for open space or recreation.

--Access problems will result in towns being ranked lower in eligibility for beach replenishment projects ... a way for the DEP to work around the Avalon ruling's ban on direct withholding.

--The DEP can hold back a town's general permit for beach maintenance. This is probably the biggest stick, Martin said, because towns need those permits for routine beach grooming and sand cleanup.

Hopefully, these new rules will allow more people to enjoy The Jersey Shore beaches, and not just the locals...and I am a "local."

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Realty Jersey Shore

Beach Access Rules for The Jersey Shore

There's been an ongoing point of contention between Jersey Shore beach town homeowners and tourists who come to the The Jersey Shore to enjoy some of America's best beaches. 

For instance, In Mantoloking, beachgoers can only park their cars on public streets for two hours. That's two hours - max - within the entire 24-hour day.

In parts of Long Beach Island like the Loveladies section of Long Beach Township, many streets dead-end into private driveways with signs warning "Private drive. No public beach access."

And in many places, you can't even eat on the beach or find a bathroom within walking distance.

All of this has worked to keep "outsiders" away, because only local residents who live near the beach - and can walk home to eat or answer nature's call - can effectively use that beach.

New Jersey is trying a new way to address the problem. Instead of imposing a uniform standard that all shore towns must meet, it is letting individual shore communities decide what level of access is right for them, although those decisions must be approved by the state.

The new rules ask - but don't require - coastal towns to adopt a public access plan spelling out exactly where the public can get to the beach. The new beach access rules will let seaside towns propose their own plans for accommodating the public with parking and restrooms, and state Department of Environmental Protection says the agency is already in discussions with "challenging'' towns where public access has been a problem.

A court decision blocks the DEP from directly withholding beach replenishment funds from problem towns. But the new rules still have three fairly strong sanctions:

--Towns that refuse to comply with access rules would not be allowed to get state Green Acres funds and aid for open space or recreation.

--Access problems will result in towns being ranked lower in eligibility for beach replenishment projects ... a way for the DEP to work around the Avalon ruling's ban on direct withholding.

--The DEP can hold back a town's general permit for beach maintenance. This is probably the biggest stick, Martin said, because towns need those permits for routine beach grooming and sand cleanup.

Hopefully, these new rules will allow more people to enjoy The Jersey Shore beaches, and not just the locals...and I am a "local."

Karl Hess, Keller Williams Realty Jersey Shore

Turkey Loses at Playing Chicken

Police in Manahawkin shot and killed a wild turkey that authorities say was "wreaking havoc" in traffic.

Stafford Township animal control officers told The Press of Atlantic City the bird has been in the township for months. However, it recently moved from residential areas to busy Route 72.

Efforts to trap it were unsuccessful.

Police told the newspaper the turkey caused a motor vehicle accident when a car jammed on its brakes and was rear ended by another on Wednesday.

So why was the turkey shot? The police suspected it of fowl play...I apologize in advance for the bad joke, I couldn't help myself!

Karl Hess, Stafford Twp Real Estate

Saltwater Fishing Registration Required

Under federal law, most New Jersey saltwater recreational anglers are required to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), before they go fishing in 2011. The Saltwater Angler Registry is part of an improved data program to help protect the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing.

A $15 fee for the federal registry became effective on January 1, 2011. Anglers who registered in 2010 should check the expiration date on their registration cards - registration is valid for one year from date of issue.

Anyone age 16 and older must have a valid license (there are some exceptions) to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey with handline, rod and line, or longbow and arrow. This includes privately owned lakes and other waters. New Jersey does not require a general saltwater fishing license but there are a limited number of saltwater licenses and permits required.

Things are still up in the air regarding many of the regulations for saltwater fishing in 2011. For the first time, anglers will have to register with the state in order to fish. It still is not known when the state will be ready to start taking registrations.

Fishing licenses may be obtained from license agents or online. Duplicate licenses for the current year are also available. For more information contact the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.

When you purchase a fishing license, you're helping to protect, preserve and enhance the sport of fishing for today and for generations to come. License fees help pay for fishery and hatchery management, habitat development and protection, endangered species programs, fishing and conservation education, lake maps and other publications, and many other valuable programs.

Karl Hess, Jersey Shore Realtor