Money for land may come from new tax

By sherry conohan
Staff Writer

An open space tax may lie in the future for Monmouth Beach.

At its caucus meeting July 8, the Borough Commission asked its lawyer, Dennis Collins, to draw up a proposed ordinance that would establish a tax to raise revenue to purchase property for open space.

Members of the commission would not reveal how much of a tax they had in mind. Mayor James P. McConville III said the amount was under discussion.

"We’re going to review it and determine whether we’re going to do it in August," the mayor said.

Commissioner James F. Cunniff said the ordinance would likely be introduced in September if the decision is to go ahead with the tax.

Asked if the tax might be used to buy land around the sewage plant to create a new park that has been under consideration, McConville said, "We’d rather not speculate."

Cunniff, the director of revenue and finance, reported at the regular commission meeting after the caucus that Robert S. Oliwa, the borough auditor, had just completed the annual audit, and there were no recommendations for change or improvements.

He said it was the third year in a row that there have been no recommendations.

"We’re as pure as Ivory soap," he said.

In other action, the commission approved the promotion of Police Sgt. William W. Petrone to lieutenant and the appointment of Peter Farmer as a special officer, class 2. Both are borough residents.

Petrone was immediately sworn in as lieutenant by Commissioner William C. Barham in front of a large audience of other officers, family and friends.

His wife, Laurie, held the Bible on which he rested his hand while taking the oath, and his mother, Marie, pinned his new badge on his shirt.

The commission also approved the appointment of Paul Vitale as interim code enforcement officer.

He replaces Capt. Richard White, who was recently promoted to captain and is now in charge of the police force since retiring Chief Patrick J. McConville left on accumulated leave before actually vacating the office in December.

A resolution formally authorizing fireworks for Kids Day Sept. 7 also was passed.

Kids Day activities will be held in Griffen Park during the day, while the fireworks will be held on the beach that evening.

Sept. 8 is the rain date for the fireworks display.