The council meeting’s focal point was the revelation of oil tanks at a construction site, which has raised environmental concerns. The DEP is now involved, opening a case to assess the contamination and determine the necessary remediation steps. Despite the site’s current contaminated status, construction activities have not been officially halted, pending further directives from the DEP. This situation has sparked broader concerns about the possible presence of underground tanks throughout the borough.

During the council’s discussions, frustration was voiced over the lack of transparency and the slow response from the DEP. There was a reference to a past incident where photographic evidence of oil was reportedly dismissed by the DEP. The Pence property was specifically mentioned as one site that has long been under the DEP’s scrutiny, yet remains without resolution.

The council considered the challenges of enforcing property excavations to identify tanks, noting that such actions can only occur after tanks are definitively found, prompting a formal contaminated site designation. There was a suggestion to explore legal measures that could mandate inspections before construction in areas with suspected contamination, though such requirements would be challenging to enforce without a property transfer to trigger them.

The potential impact on the community, particularly in high-traffic areas, was also a concern. There were apprehensions about construction work possibly causing disruptions during the upcoming summer season. The council discussed the need to strengthen its authority to require pre-construction inspections, especially in cases with existing contamination worries.

In addition to environmental issues, the meeting addressed the topic of employment agreements. Some council members expressed concern about the timeliness of receiving salary information necessary for reviewing the agreements. One member noted the need for more time to assess the contracts thoroughly, while others emphasized the urgency of finalizing them before the new year, as many positions remained unsettled. A compromise was floated, suggesting retroactive approval of the agreements if necessary, with plans to prepare for a final decision at the next regular meeting.

The council also approved a bill list totaling $229,400.185, which passed unanimously. Public comments provided further insight into environmental concerns, with a resident detailing the discovery of two tanks in the G lot by Bay Avenue and speculating about potential groundwater contamination. The resident insisted that immediate attention was required and suggested the DEP would likely need to get involved.

As the meeting concluded, council members exchanged wishes for a happy New Year. One member reflected on their gratitude for serving the Beach Haven community, while another encouraged safe holiday travels and responsible drinking. The meeting also highlighted a public service announcement celebrating a local resident, Nick, for his successful music career after graduating from Beach Haven School.