New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
For a fifth straight year Commissioner Bob Martin of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection visited the Ocean County Mayors to provide an update and answer questions.
Bob talked about his agency’s policy of customer service. Initially, some in Trenton objected to the word “customer,” he said, because it did not seem appropriate for a regulating agency. Bob noted that the NJDEP did not lower its environmental standards but simply improved the application process. The concept of applicants as “customers” no longer generates the objections it once did, he said.
Nevertheless, he noted, the existing web of environmental regulations is unwieldy and in need of serious reform. Meanwhile, the NJDEP is willing to help by bringing regulators into a room with the applicants to answer questions, seek efficiencies, and when necessary point out that a particular project is simply untenable — all before vast amounts of money have been spent for engineers and lawyers.
In that context, Bob introduced his deputy chief of staff John Gray, who helps facilitate such meetings. John can be reached at 609-292-9954 or [email protected].
The mayors also adopted a resolution declaring April as Autism Awareness Month. See the text here.
Our Officers
Left to right: Mayor of Berkeley Carmen Amato, Secretary; Mayor of Bay Head William Curtis, Vice President; Mayor of Ocean Gate Paul Kennedy, President; Mayor of Seaside Park Robert Matthies, 2nd Vice President; and Mayor Emeritus of Pine Beach Chris Boyle,, Treasurer.
Due to the death of long-time Treasurer Art Pettraco, OCMA President Kennedy, made two new appointments. Paul moved Chris Boyle Treasurer. Chris had been Secretary. In his play, Paul named Carmen Amato as Secretary.
The Ocean County Mayors’ Association has been found tax exempt by the IRS. Donations are deductible. Documentation of this determination and related financial disclosure documents are available for public examination. The Ocean County Mayors’ Association has been found tax exempt by the IRS. Donations are deductible. Documentation of this determination and related financial disclosure documents are available for public examination without notice.