Program Helping Small Business Start-Ups Supported

Moon jellies (Aurelia aurita) are a common jellyfish found at the shore.

By Alyssa Riccardi

JERSEY SHORE –

Officials are warning New Jersey swimmers about the potential dangers of clinging jellyfish that have been found in the Shore area this summer.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, clinging jellyfish are a small jellyfish capable of inflicting an extremely painful sting. Officials said they are present in bays and estuarine waters

“Fortunately, populations of clinging jelly- fish and their distribution have been largely stable since the species was first confirmed in New Jersey in 2016,” Commissioner of Envi-

Commercial locations are eligible for benefits if they meet certain criteria.

By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - An

ordinance, first introduced in 2015 that gives “Mom and Pop” business owners a break by waiving permitting and inspection fees, will likely be renewed by the governing body during the next Township Council meeting.

Since the original “Storefront Revitalization Program” was passed, some 30 vacant storefronts have been filled by business owners looking to get started with a new business,” said Mayor Lisa Crate during the meeting.

“In this proposal, the township is encouraging any new business looking to fill any vacant commercial space of 5,000 square feet or less that has been

Are Car Crashes Getting Worse?

By Chris Lundy OCEAN

COUNTY – It seems that news of serious crashes are constantly flooding social media and news apps these days. Multi-car pile-ups, flipped cars, and worse make it to our news feeds – each one a cautionary tale.

For example, in one recent weekend, Toms River Police responded to 36 Serious crashes like this might be on the rise.

crashes. It begs the question: are we seeing more crashes – and more severe crashes these days?

A car catching fire after being hit is dramatic and scary, even if no one is hurt in it. But police don’t have a statistic for serious crashes. However, fatalities are recorded.

So far this year, in Ocean County, there’s been 27 fatal crashes that resulted in 28 deaths. Monmouth County saw 19 crashes resulting in 19 deaths. These numbers are on pace to match or exceed the last few years.

In 2022, Ocean had 48 crashes resulting in 52 deaths. Monmouth had 46 crashes with 55 deaths.

In 2021, Ocean had 43 crashes with 44 deaths.

Monmouth had 32 crashes with 34 deaths.

In 2020, when there were a lot of COVID quarantines, Ocean had 30 crashes with 30 deaths. Monmouth had 33 crashes with 34 deaths.

In 2019, Ocean had 37 crashes with 39 deaths.

Monmouth had 33 crashes with 36 deaths.

In 2018, Ocean had 31 crashes with 39 deaths. Monmouth had 28 crashes with 29 deaths.

In 2017, Ocean had 52 crashes with 53 deaths. Monmouth had 40 crashes with 43 deaths.

In 2016, Ocean had 39 crashes with 41 deaths. Monmouth had 47 crashes with 50 deaths.

Sgt. Philip Curry of the

Jellyfish:

Continued From Page 1 ronmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette said. “However, clinging jellyfish pack such a potentially powerful sting that it is important for the public to be vigilant and take precautions when recreating in coastal bays and rivers where they are found.”

Clinging jellyfish are a non-native species that originated from the Pacific Ocean. Officials said they likely came to the area in ballast water from ships or being attached to ships’ hulls, as early as the late 1800s in New England. Today, they can be found from Maine to New Jersey. Clinging jellyfish prefer shallow, slow-moving estuarine waters, where they attach themselves to algae or marine vegetation such as eel grass.

In New Jersey, environmental officials have found clinging jellyfish in several locations across shore towns. A huge population can be found in the Metedeconk River, close to areas along Princeton Avenue in Brick Township as well as on the opposite side of the river alongside residential properties off Mantoloking Road.

According to the NJDEP Jellyfish map, clinging jellyfish have also been found in the Barnegat Bay near Lavallette and Island Beach State Park.

In the Shrewsbury River, clinging jellyfish can be found in Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach. Officials have even documented them as far south as North Wildwood and the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. What other jellyfish can you run into at the Jersey Shore?

Although it is unlikely for clinging jellyfish to be found in ocean waters or beaches in New Jersey, there are several types species that do inhabit our coast.

The most common jellyfish beachgoers can encounter are moon jellies (Aurelia aurita), which look like a round disk-shaped pad that may be frequently seen washed up on beaches. Even though they are not harmful, they can produce some discomfort if you are stung.

Many other jellyfish you can come across at the shore are not harmful. However, just like clinging jellyfish found on the bayside, there are harmful jellyfish found in oceans.

Over the years, the Portuguese man-o-war (Physalia physalis) has been spotted along the Jersey Shore. Although uncommon, they are harmful and sometimes fatal.

In 2018, it was reported a Portuguese mano-war washed up on the shores in Cape May County. There was also one that washed on in Beach Haven in 2017.

If you plan on going for a swim, know that most jellyfish are found from June to September/October.

“Jellyfish appearance and abundance is dependent on water temperature and prey density; most species prefer warmer water.

Storms and offshore wind and water currents (eddies branching off of the Gulf Stream) can bring uncommon species close to shore,” DEP Research Scientist Joseph Bilinski said. “Subtropical species such as Portuguese man-o-war end up on our shores when warm currents come toward our coast.”

What do you do if you get stung?

Bilinski recommends that the affected area be lightly scraped with a plastic card or rubbed with a towel, then rinsed with sea water and not fresh water.

“(Freshwater) will cause the nematocysts or stinging cells to rupture and cause more discomfort,” Bilinski said. “If pain persists or is severe, the individual should seek immediate medical attention.”

To learn more about jellyfish in New Jersey waters, NJDEP has a general NJ Jellyfish Information webpage at storymaps. arcgis.com/stories/28df94661dd245f792e 1b79170100975. To learn more about clinging jellyfish, visit nj.gov/dep/docs/clinging-jellyfish-factsheet.pdf.

2023 PBA 158 Summer Party

POINT PLEASANT – The Point Pleasant Policemen’s Benevolent Association is hosting their annual Summer Party on August 6 from 2 to 6 p.m. at River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar, 1600 Route 70, Brick.

Join again for a great time! They have a new shirt design and great prizes. Pre-purchased tickets get to the front of the line! Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com/e/2023-pba-158summer-party-tickets-655649273627?

Business

: Continued From Page 1 vacant for at least a year to open for business,” she said.

The program encourages small startup businesses to open shop in the empty stores rather than build new or go into bigger spots.

The ordinance states that waiving the fees “is an effective tool in the effort to rehabilitate vacant commercial structures, including empty storefronts.”

All township permit fees will be waived to encourage the start-up. Typically, there are fees and charges associated with opening small businesses, including business license fees, park-

Crashes:

Continued From Page 1 ing, traffic impact fees, and building/ planning review fees, the mayor said.

New Jersey State Police said that the NJSP Fatal Accident Unit comes out when injuries seem serious. Looking at this data, certain trends emerge.

“Driver inattention, pedestrian violations and unsafe speed are typically the top three contributing factors in fatal crashes,” he said.

It’s important to note that driver inattention could mean cell phone use, a distraction in the vehicle, or even falling asleep at the wheel, he said. “Driver inattention” is also marked as a contributing circumstance when a vehicle runs off the road with no other explanation as to why.

If a pedestrian violation is noted, it means that the pedestrian’s action caused the crash, such as crossing where prohibited, he said.

“All of these fees and charges fund important services, but during times of economic uncertainty and tough credit markets, they can be enough of a barrier to market entry that they impede the type of economic growth that we desperately need right now,” Mayor Crate said.

The proposed ordinance will forgive all of these fees and charges for qualifying small businesses. Entrepreneurs opening up shops in previously vacant storefronts in the township will not be required to pay the usual fees.

“This really opens the door for our small business owners to get a little bit of a hand

“Based on the top 3 Contributing Circumstances year after year, crashes could potentially be reduced if drivers avoided distractions and drove defensively. Pedestrians should cross roadways designated for pedestrian crossing and should always use due caution for their own safety,” he said.

Statewide Deaths Rise

Statewide, the fatalities follow similar trends to Ocean and Monmouth counties. On the years that Ocean and Monmouth were really bad, the rest of the state is really bad, too.

2023 to date: 295 crashes causing 310 deaths

2022: 650 crashes causing 694 deaths.

2021: 667 crashes causing 697 deaths

2020: 550 crashes causing 587 deaths

2019: 524 crashes causing 558 deaths up to get started,” she said. “I’m really excited about this.”

Councilwoman Marianna Pontoriero echoed the mayor’s sentiments.

“I want to comment on how happy I am that we are extending the waiver of fees for the empty storefronts,” she said during the portion of the meeting set aside for elected officials to speak about any topic.

“I think it’s well-known that the effects of COVID on businesses, especially small businesses, can’t be denied,” she said.

Brick was the first town to waive the permit fees and costs for areas that had been vacant to business owners and entrepreneurs, she said.

“Again, because of COVID and because of the restrictions, I saw many

2018: 524 crashes (same two years in a row) causing 563 deaths

2017: 591 crashes causing 624 deaths

2016: 570 crashes causing 602 deaths

New Jersey looks at these figures much deeper in their annual Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Report. The most recent report available at this time is from 2021.

In 2021, roadway fatalities increased a frightening 18.7% over the previous year in the nation’s totals. There were 697 deaths in 2021 in New Jersey alone, 110 more than 2020. It is the highest number in 13 years.

The 2021 report put some of the blame on COVID-19 regulations fading. Regardless, it was still estimated that it was the worst since 2005.

The report explained that this works out to an businesses all over, have to fold shops, so I’m hoping that this extension of the fees, which can be very significant, will encourage people to come back out and fill our storefronts,” Pontoriero said. average of almost two deaths per day.

“It looks better, it’s better for us and I love to shop, so thank you,” she said. The first reading of the ordinance continuing the program was passed unanimously.

A public hearing and final adoption of the ordinance, entitled “Waiver of Fees for Construction to Promote the Renovation of Existing Vacant Commercial Structures” will take place during the next council meeting, which will be on Tuesday, August 8 at 7 p.m.

Of these deaths, 97 involved motorcycles, 36 involved tractor trailers, 26 involved bicycles, and 217 (almost one-third) were pedestrians. There was alcohol involved in about 30 percent of the crashes, and in 12 percent of them, a driver was legally drunk.

Perhaps there are some trends that follow a pattern. For example, in 2016 and 2017 – locally and statewide – the numbers of deaths were very high before they dropped. Then, they rose again coming up to today. It could be that the statistics are cyclical and rise and fall regularly.

It’s not just in New Jersey. The nation saw an increase of 10.5% in fatalities from 2020 to 2021. There were 42,915 motor vehicle fatalities across the country in 2021.