Belmar Residents Reject $7 Million Pavilion Reconstruction Project

After a special election Tuesday, Belmar residents voted against a $7 million reconstruction project for the town’s boardwalk pavilion, destroyed during Superstorm Sandy.

NJ.com is reporting that unofficial election results totaled 1,041 against the project, with 756 voting in favor.

The project cost was a source of controversy for the town, which saw groups,following the legal advice of former Belmar mayor Ken Pringle, argue that there that the $7 million price tag was too high, and would cost half as much if the project were overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).

Even Gorvernor Chris Christie threw his thoughts into the debate, showing support for current Mayor Matthew Doherty and the town council by urging residents to vote in favor of the project. His statements at a town hall meeting on July 30 resulted in Belmar resident Vincent Ehmann to file an ethics complaint against the governor.

To read more, go to:http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2014/08/belmar_residents_reject_controversial_7m_b