Mantoloking Borough Super Storm Sandy Update Posted

Mantoloking has published their November 26, 2013 council meetings power point presentation Super Storm Sandy Update #18 on their web-site. After reviewing the presentation it is evident that Mantoloking is making progress towards a full recovery. Sediment removal from the Bay continues and is expected to be completed by mid December.All remaining damaged properties are expected to be removed by the end of the year and the Rt 35 project is expected to be completed by May of 2014. Unfortunately The Borough Hall building has to be demolished and Ocean County has agreed to assist Mantoloking with this project. The new building committee should have an action plan in place by the end of the year.

The borough has signed a contract with the DEP for 40 Million dollars for continuation of the sheet metal revetment program which needs to be completed prior to the army corp of engineers commencing their dune replenishment project in June of 2014. The council also announced that the firehouse has been temporarily relocated to Bay and Herbert Street and once the water pump station work is completed on Downer Ave the Firemen will be able to go home. View the Power Point Presentation Here.

TAKE ACTION TODAY Support Critical Delays to Flood Insurance Rate Hikes SEND THIS PRE-WRITTEN LETTER

Support Critical Delays to Flood Insurance Rate Hikes

Last week, the National Association of REALTORS^® issued a Call for Action to build support for the “Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act.”

It is critical that you take action and tell your representatives in Washington that you support legislation to halt flood insurance rate increases for four years until FEMA can complete its mandatory flood insurance affordability study. This legislation has a direct impact on New Jersey - the flood insurance rate increases are pricing families out of their homes and are making it difficult for new families to purchase properties requiring flood insurance in order to obtain a mortgage. The delay is vital for those living in or selling real estate in flood prone areas, from those along the Jersey Shore to those in areas near rivers and lakes in the Garden State.

Following the bill's introduction in Congress, many members of Congress have publicly stated their opposition to the bill, raising concerns for REALTORS^® whose communities and businesses are directly impacted by the rate increases. Worse, FEMA's administrator has also publicly opposed delaying the rate increases.

With this opposition from officials in Washington, it is more important than ever that you support the REALTORS^® Call For Action and tell Congress that FEMA must first conduct its mandated affordability study before imposing unrealistic rate increases on millions of American citizens, creating severe economic hardships for property owners and harming the still-recovering real estate market.

Click here to send a pre-written letter to your representatives in Washington in support of the "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act."

If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact NJAR^®'s Government Affairs Department at (732) 494-5616.

Howell to buy out homeowners in flood-prone Moors Landing

HOWELL — Several homes in the Moors Landing development that were badly damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and superstorm Sandy in 2012 are being purchased by Howell. The homes will be demolished, and the property on which they stood will remain as open space.
Read The Full Article Here Tri-Town News

One Year After The Storm

Many victims of Superstorm Sandy have still not recovered financially — and for some, the damage will be permanent.

Read The Full Story Here

NJ Seeks To Shift Federal Sandy Funds, "Public Comment" Closes Tomorrow

 

A little late on posting  this but public comment ends tomorrow so it's important to get this out there.

N.J. seeks to shift federal Sandy funds. The Department of Community affairs seeks to transfer160 million in federal money from funds designated for grants and forgivable loans to small businesses.

View the amendment here.

Highlights:
The program would add $110 million to the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation, and Mitigation (RREM) Program to allow between 800 to 1,100 Sandy-impacted families currently on the waitlist to receive a RREM grant. This grant provides up to $150,000 to help homeowners impacted by Sandy repair or rebuild their home. The program, which closed its application period on August 1, 2013, has previously reserved funding for approximately 4,300 homeowners, but more than 8,700 households remain on the program’s waitlist.

The reallocation would also add $35 million to the Homeowner Resettlement Program to provide each of the more than 2,100 Sandy-impacted families on the program’s waitlist with a $10,000 grant to incentivize them to stay in their home community rather than relocating. With this funding reallocation, every eligible applicant who applied to the program before the August 1 deadline will now receive a Resettlement award.
The change would also set aside $15 million to support the demolition of unsafe Sandy-damaged structures in order to alleviate blight and address threats to public health and welfare.

The Action Plan substantial amendment can be viewed in English and Spanish at http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/sandyrecovery/action/ on the DCA website.

Written comments on the amendment will be accepted by email to sandy.recovery@dca.state.nj.us   until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2013.

 

 

Congresswoman vows big changes to flood insurance.

Watch this video
Congresswoman Waters vows big changes
to flood insurance!
 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Waters blames FEMA for not doing the job the Biggert-Waters Act intended them to do, failing when it comes to flood maps and an affordability study.
The Congresswoman's new legislation " The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act would delay flood insurance rate increases for 4 years and send FEMA back to the drawing board.

Senator Cory Booker and Senator Menendez grilling HUD Secretary Donovan and FEMA's Fugate at congressional hearing on Hurricane Sandy Recovery.

10/22/13 $57 million Sandy Housing and Rental Assistance Program, "The Working Families Living Expenses Voucher Program

Sandy Living Expenses Voucher Program Delivers Relief To

New Jersey’s Working Families

Christie Administration Announces Assistance Program For Homeowners And Renters


The Christie Administration today announced a new $57 million Sandy Housing and Rental Assistance Program, "The Working Families Living Expenses Voucher Program." The program will provide housing stability for individuals and families impacted by Superstorm Sandy and ensure that affected households have items essential for health and safety when they return to their home.

This voucher program provides temporary relief by offering support to working families who are financially strained due to the costs associated with recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

 Maintaining temporary housing while their primary residence is repaired/rebuilt;

 Maintaining a primary residence for the household to return to when repairs and reconstruction are completed; and

 Homeowners and renters who are under or unemployed due to the storm and in need of additional help to stabilize their finances may also benefit.

Funding for this program is being distributed to all of New Jersey’s 21 counties for qualifying Sandy-impacted families and individuals through a federal Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) to the state Department of Human Services (DHS).

Funds will be distributed through the county Boards of Social Services or other agencies in the form of direct payments to billing agencies or vouchers to select vendors for eligible residents. Capped at $15,000 in direct payments or vouchers per household, the program provides up to six months of housing and related assistance.

Allowable expenses include:

 Retroactive and Current rent/mortgage payments

 Retroactive and Current utility payments

 Beds and Cribs

 Bed Linens and Towels

 Dressers

 Dining furniture

 Washing machines and dryers

 Refrigerators

 Couches

 Dinnerware

 Lighting

 Stoves

 Microwaves

 Air Conditioners

 Pots and Pans

 Hot Water heaters

In order to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the program, residents may be asked to bring any of the following items for review:

 FEMA/DCA Registration

 Mortgage statement/lease agreement

 State issued driver’s license

 Utility bills

 Bank Account statement

　
 Income Tax Return

 Birth certificate/Voter ID/Legal Permanent Resident Card

 Guardianship papers, if applicable

People interested in applying for the program can visit www.NJ211.org or call 211 to find out where to apply.

Link 

The Jersey Shore on This Old House

"This Old House" 

 Covering the recovery at the Jersey Shore. Mantoloking, Bay Head, Point Pleasant and Manasquan, Seaside Heights and more... 

Episode 1 October 3, 2013    
After The Storm

Episode 2 October 10, 2013   
 Drastic Measures

Episode 3 October 17, 2013    
Getting To Work 

Episode 4 October 24, 2013   
Built For Speed 

Episode 5  October 31, 2013 
Lines in The Sand This Old House

Where does your flood insurance money go?

 

What you should know about where your flood insurance money goes.....

 

Thanks to a link on the Stop FEMA now facebook page I read the testimony of;

 

Mark Davey

CEO of Fidelity National Property and Casualty Insurance Group.

The largest provider of flood insurance through the NFIP

 

Mark Appeared BEFORE THE SENATE BANKING, HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

CONCERNING THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM. Below you will find a link to the complete testimony but I wanted to point out a few things that only the first page revealed.

 

 

 

The actual risk is 100% underwritten by the Federal Government through the National Flood

Insurance Program.

 

Insurance companies are responsible for all marketing, policy quotation, sale, issuance and servicing, in addition to all claims handling and claims payment.

 

Currently ALL participating companies receive an expense reimbursement of 30.2 percent for the policy issuance, servicing and marketing. NFIP  companies also receive a 3.3% claims administration fee when claims are adjusted and paid. The 30.2% processing fee is used to pay independent agency commissions, processing costs, marketing costs, and state premium taxes.

 

When I read the next paragraph, I thought to myself. what a bunch of " hoo wee" the banking industry has come up with software that scans and registers banking deposits. There is online management software that has a filing system so that any file can easily be uploaded to a database and maintained.  And you can not tell me that with NFIP guidelines in writing and the technological advances in GPS software, that an algorithm can't be put together to streamline the servicing process even further. For god sake they can zoom into peoples windows with new GPS software...

 

 

Here is the paragraph

 

While the insurance industry has reduced their underwriting costs for traditional lines through automation and

better processing techniques, flood insurance has become more cumbersome to rate and process. Marketing,

administering and interfacing with the NFIP is a truly specialized field. The rating process requires actual location information such as flood zone, determining elevation, reviewing pictures, and numerous forms to determine the correct rate for the property. This process does not lend itself to high automation....

 

People of this great nation need to pay attention to what is happening at the Federal Level before it's to late. The founding fathers of this country gave us the Constitution for a reason, To Protect ourselves from government.. If you don't protect yourself who will?

 

 

 

NEED FOR EMERGENCY FUND! SANDY UPDATE - TOMS RIVER B.A.& SENATOR SINGER

Flood Vents Must Be Certified.......

If you do not have certified flood vents your rates are subject to rise.

FEMA released a guide for identifying the lowest floor for rating buildings being considered for coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP created specific requirements regarding the installation of openings or vents for allowing water to flow through the enclosed space beneath an elevated building during a flood. These requirements are codified in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 CFR).

The presence of adequate openings or vents in the enclosure beneath an elevated structure is an important factor in rating an NFIP policy and can, therefore, have a significant impact on the cost of flood insurance coverage for the building.

There are 3 ways to have your flood vents certified.

Certification by an Engineer or Architect
Flood openings must be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters. This certification is required by community officials.

Documentation by a Community Building Official
The community building official can submit a letter or other written evidence explaining the flood openings have been accepted by the community as an alternative to the openings requirement in the International Building Code or the local ordinance based on the issuance of an Evaluation Report on openings by the International Code Council Evalution Service (ICC-ES), Inc. ICC-ES Evaluation Report

The third acceptable alternative to the 1 inch for every square foot opening requirement is an Evaluation Report issued by the ICC-ES which states the automatic flood vents meet the code requirement. This report provides the specification on the number of flood vents required for a defined square footage of enclosed area below the BFE.

Here is a guide to flood vents.

USDA Funding Areas - New Maps a Disgrace for New Jersey Homebuyers

When I saw these maps, all I could think of was Ocean & Monmouth County and what they mean for our area and its continued recovery after super storm sandy. I see so many vacant homes, not only from the storm but from the shadow inventory out there that have not been foreclosed on and then think of Fannie Mae who holds out for higher sale prices " Killing deal after deal" while homes sit and rot away.

The New USDA maps indicate that Ocean and Monmouth County are basically no longer qualified. Only parts of Waretown, Plumsted and Upper Freehold Township still have eligible areas.

I believe some people are not watching what's happening around them. Two county's and for that matter a large part of the state no longer qualifies for the USDA federally funded mortgage program. 

"Look for yourself"  On the map below the yellow areas on the left will no longer qualify for funding. And look at New Jersey qualified areas overall.

Is New Jersey being penalized for something? Why? What is going on? 

Something is not quite right here.

This is just one more issue that our representatives need to speak up about.

Your freeholders need to hear from you, Your senators and congressmen need to hear from you......

Interesting Facts:
United States Census (2000 census) defines rural areas as comprising open
country and settlements with fewer than 2,500 residents (population/administrative-based); areas designated as rural can have population densities as high as 999 per square mile or as low as 1 person
per square mile (population/land use-based).

United States Department of Agriculture (2002 farm bill) defines rural
areas as any area other than (1) a city or town that has a population of
greater than 50,000 inhabitants, and (2) the urbanized areas contiguous
and adjacent to such a city or town.

United States Office of Management and Budget defines a Metropolitan
Statistical Area as consisting of (1) central counties with one or more
urbanized areas (as defined by the Census Bureau) and (2) outlying
counties that are economically tied to the core counties as measured by
worker commuting data (i.e. if 25% of workers living there commute to the
core counties, or if 25% of the employment in the county consists of workers coming from the central counties). Non-metro counties (rural counties) are outside the boundaries of metro areas.

The beautiful Jersey Shore.. We are on our way to recovery..

NJ Business Grant Deadline Approaching Get up to $250,000

Applications for Stronger NJ Business Grants must be received on or by October 31, 2013.
For more information on the Stronger NJ Business Grant program, including the complete list of eligibility criteria and uses call EDA’s Sandy hotline at 1-855-SANDY-BZ (1-855-726-3929).

The $260 million Stronger NJ Business Grant Program is available to help small businesses and non-profits that have been damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Under this program, grants and forgivable of up to $50,000 per impacted location. Businesses with multiple impacted locations may be eligible for an award of up to $250,000.


The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will be hosting a Stronger NJ Grant Workshop for marinas damaged by Superstorm Sandy in Toms River on Monday, August 26, 2013.

Where: Toms River Town Hall, Hirshblond Room, 33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ Public parking is available in rear of building When: Appointments will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Who: Marinas damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

To schedule your appointment with a business advisor, please contact Patience Purdy at (609) 858-6924 or email PPurdy@njeda.com with the following information: SG# (if you have one already) Business Name. Owner/Proprietor Name. Address. Phone and  Email.

Walk-ins are welcomed and will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.


To help all businesses with the application process, EDA business advisors are located at One-Stop Career Centers in the nine most impacted counties.

 The Monmouth County one-stop is located at 60 Taylor Avenue in Neptune. Business advisors are available every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Ocean County one-stop is located at 1027 Hooper Ave, Building 6, in Toms River. Business advisors will be available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Appointments are suggested, but not required.



Eligibility for Stronger NJ Business Grants is no longer tied to whether a business has applied for a Small Business Association Loan. In some cases, businesses may be eligible for reimbursement of repair costs incurred prior to applying for a grant. Once approved for a grant, businesses have up to one year to submit receipts and invoices for eligible expenses, at which point the EDA will issue a disbursement.

Biggert Waters 'Never Voted On' 'Went Dark', 'Tucked into Transportation Bill

This one deserved a posting on two of my Blogs.....

Sen Landrieu on Senate Floor Regarding The Biggert Waters Act. 

How can "We The People" Let this happen?

Our representatives do not even read what they are voting for. 

This is amazing to me...

$10 million in grants from The American Red Cross

 The American Red Cross awarded more than $10 million in grants 

to eight national nonprofits that are helping out with the Hurricane Sandy.

 

If you in need of additional assistance these non profit agencies may be able to help.

 

• The United Methodist Committee on Relief, $2.5 million in financial or housing assistance to 700 households in New York, Connecticut and Maryland.

• Rebuilding Together,  $2.25 million to repair and rebuild homes in New Jersey and New York.

• Lutheran Disaster Response, $2 million to repair homes, provide financial assistance to Sandy survivors and to manage volunteers and children’s programs.

• Catholic Charities USA, $1.6 million for medical and financial assistance, home repairs and household goods. It will also conduct community impact studies and will support community long-term recovery plans.

• Southern Baptist Disaster Relief,  $850,000 to rebuild homes in New York and New Jersey, purchase building materials and support staff and volunteers.

• Mennonite Disaster Services $800,000 to rebuild homes in New York and Maryland.

• World Renew,  $258,000 to long-term recovery committees to help locate households most in need of assistance in New York, New Jersey and Maryland.

• NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster $250,000 to repair and rebuild 100 homes in New York and New Jersey. 

Source: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/08/red_cross_gives_10m_in_sandy_recovery_grants_to_eight_nonprofits.html

Free Tetanus Shots, Sandy Info @ Traders Cove

The Ocean County Health Department will have their outreach vehicle stationed at Traders Cove on Mantoloking Road in Brick.  8/16 - 8/18 this Friday , Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 10am and 2pm.  The Ocean County Health department will provide free T-dap vaccinations and information regarding, NJ Mold guidelines, West Nile Virus information & safe swimming guidelines. There will also be masks, gloves, hand sanitizer available. Reported by Brick Patch

The O.C.H.D. recognizes that residents are still cleaning up debris in the area and need to be protected against infection and injury. There have been a number of cases of hard to beat infections in the area.
You can never be to safe.

New Jersey launches its first time home buyer program with Federal Sandy Funds.

New Jersey launches its first time home buyer program with Federal Sandy Funds.

If your looking to buy your first home and qualify for $150,000 you can now buy a home worth $200,000 said Anthony Marchetta, executive director of HMFA.

The money serves as  what they call a soft second - interest-free forgivable loan.  The loans will be forgiven if the homeowner lives in the residence for five years.

Anthony Marchetta, executive director of HMFA said the program is designed to assist people who may not have been in the area prior to the storm to buy in the nine affected counties of Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union.  It is also for residents already living in these communities. However, he said the program is designed to give priority to residents living in the affected counties.

“For the first 90 days we will only accept applications from those nine most impacted counties. After that, if there’s any money left, we’ll invite people from outside of the nine counties. So you can come from Hunterdon County, for example, and purchase in Ocean County after the 90 day period is over.”

APPLY HERE

Rising Sea Levels - In Light Of Hurricane Sandy

With Hurricane Sandy’s damage totaling almost 40 Billion dollars, we need to consider the future development and redevelopment of the Jersey Shore, taking all aspects into account. There are many reasons why Super Storm Sandy turned the Jersey Shore upside down. But, weather patterns were the main contributor. The perfect storm.as they call it hit our beautiful coast with a big bang and now Scientists & Journalists are concerned more than ever for New Jersey’s coastal towns which are prime for above average rising sea levels over the next century.

Climate Central is an independent organization for researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the American public.  

A U.S. Geological Survey study suggests that sea level in the northeastern United States is rising faster than the global average. The “ocean conveyor belt” that carries heat from the Caribbean to Europe maintains an uneven sea surface along the East Coast. As the planet warms, the conveyor belt slows adding additional regional sea-level rise in the Northeast.

Science that tells us how much and how quickly sea levels will rise is critical to making policy decisions for all who love living along the Jersey Coast Line. Going forward we must protect our coastal communities and our economy by making smart decisions and anticipating what the future holds. Our coastal communities must allow now, for change later. Dune systems must be built, and homeowners should be allowed to raise their homes to maximum heights over and above FEMA’s elevation standards. Proper planning now will keep our children and grandchildren from dealing with rising sea level devastation for generations to come.

Check out Climate Central -----   You may be surprised to learn the sea level rise predictions for some Ocean & Monmouth County Towns  are ( 7” to 2’ by the end of the century) ……

Sea-level rise poses severe risks for New Jersey’s Shore communities — risks that are being better understood thanks in large part to publicly funded research into climate change and its effects. The fruits of this research need to be the subject of a frank public discourse, not of denial or litigation. Policy and preparedness decisions based on the best available (and continuously improving) science are crucial to protecting our communities and coastal environments. - See more at:Climate Central.Org - Rising-seas-a-real-threat-to-New-Jersey

Sandy Victims Resist Plans to Protect Jersey Shore

Assistance Available For Landlords Hit By Sandy

Assistance Available 

For Landlords Hit By Sandy

As part of The New Jersey Stronger initiative, landlords from Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union counties, who have 25 or fewer rental units are eligible for Community Development Block Grants from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. With the rental shortage in New Jersey, these funds will help Landlords repair their damaged units so they can offer them back to the market for occupancy.  The $70 million Landlord Rental Repair Program,  offers rental property owners up to $50,000 per unit for repairs or disaster prevention work.

Landlords can apply by phone at 1-855-SANDYHM (1-855-726-3846), online at www.renewjerseystronger.org or in person at one of the state’s housing recovery centers.

NFIP - Senate sub-committee votes to Delay insurance rate hikes.

This is important for Jersey Shore Residents who have flood insurance on their homes. On July 16th a Senate Subcommittee voted to delay the increase in flood insurance for homes that are currently in the NFIP. The House and Senate need to work out the details but it is a step in the right direction.

What is the value of a Dune Easement taken by eminent domain?

The New Jersey State Appellate Court reversed a trial courts award of $375,000 to a Harvey Cedars couple on Monday July 8^th2013. This decision will give municipalities affected by Hurricane Sandy a comfort level to pursue homeowners who have not signed easements by taking their property by eminent domain.

            After a slice of land in front of a Harvey Cedars oceanfront home was taken by eminent domain, in order to allow for a dune replenishment project a court awarded the owners $375,000. Harvey Cedars appealed the court’s decision and now that $375,000 award is no more.

            The Courts decision was based on the fact that Harvey Cedars was not provided the opportunity to present a counter argument of value.

Here is an excerpt from the court’s decision.

A formula, as used by the trial court and Appellate Division, that does not permit consideration of the quantifiable benefits of a  public project that increase the value of the remaining property in a partial takings case will lead to a compensation award that does not reflect the owner’s true loss. Compensation in a partial takings case must be “just” to both the landowner and the public.

             In any eminent domain case a homeowner is entitled to the fair market value for their loss.  To calculate a loss in a partial taking, the court says we must look to the difference between the fair market value of the property before and after the partial taking. The value of an easement has a lot of contributing factors and in an eminent domain case the law states, that value must be based on a consideration of all relevant, reasonably calculable, and non-conjectural factors that either decrease or increase the value of the remaining property.

            In determining  the damages of the Karnes’ home the trial court did not permit the jury to consider that the dune would likely spare the Karans’ home from total destruction in certain fierce storms and from other damage in lesser storms.

In reality dune construction protects not only the oceanfront homeowner that agrees to an easement but all of the homes behind it.Dune easements protect all water area homeowners, including the ones that sign them.