Toms River Set To Finalize Surf Club Purchase

Toms River NJ

29 December, 2021

5:34 AM

Description

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A multiyear effort will come to fruition on Thursday when Toms River officials and state officials finalize the purchase of the former Joey Harrison's Surf Club property in Ortley Beach. Toms River Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill said state officials and the town will finalize the purchase of the property, covering about 2 acres in the area of 6th Avenue, a purchase that had been in discussion for years. In announcing the closing date, Hill praised Councilwoman Maria Maruca for her advocacy for the purchase, calling it her "crowning achievement." Maruca's 18 years of service on the council, most of which were spent representing Ward 1 including Ortley Beach, come to an end Friday. "In the beginning you were the sole voice," Hill said, recounting how relentlessly Maruca advocated for the purchase, which initially was anticipated to cost Toms River $6 million. "That was a lot of money for us to bite off," said Hill, who served as a councilman with Maruca until he was elected mayor at the end of 2017. "When the state came on-board with the Blue Acres money it became more realistic." The specific purchase price has not been announced but has been estimated in the $7.3 million range. Under the Blue Acres program run by the state (and similar to the Green Acres program), property purchases for open space preservation are priced at the value of the property before the storm hit on Oct. 29, 2012. The state is kicking in in about $6 million in Blue Acres funding. Toms River is spending $685,000 to buy and preserve the land from residential development, with much of the township's share coming from the sale of property last week to Ocean County. The county purchased an 82-acre property that will expand Cattus Island County Park, along with 86 acres next to Ocean County College. The county paid more than $1 million for those parcels and Toms River is using the funding for the purchase along with the construction of boardwalk along the site. Hill praised the advocacy of Maruca and the efforts of the Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association. "Without the tenacity of Maria Maruca, the persistence of the OBVTA residents and the cooperation of the Ocean County Commissioners, the beach club would probably have been developed into mansions or condos," Hill said after the completion of the land deal with the county. Paul Jeffrey, vice president of the OBVTA, also praised Maruca for her advocacy for Ortley and the rest of Ward 1, noting the purchase of the Surf Club is a significant move. "This is the largest parcel of oceanfront property going into public use in New Jersey for a very long, long time," Jeffrey said, noting Maruca and fellow councilmembers Laurie Huryk and Terrance Turnbach "have left remarkable changes on this town that will be felt for years to come." "The surf club is such a huge thing for Ortley and our shore community," resident Dana Tormollan said, addressing Maruca. "It will be your legacy." Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters here, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email [email protected] Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.