Mayor: Oceanport Borough Hall Can No Longer Be Occupied

By Christopher Sheldon

After doing several tests on the building, Oceanport officials have determined that borough hall, which was severely flooded by Hurricane Sandy, can no longer be occupied.

"Borough hall has reached a point where it can no longer be occupied for any period of time," Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon said during Thursday night's council meeting. "We're passing a resolution tonight hiring an architect for Plan B, which would be site selection and option selection."

Borough Administrator John Bennett stressed that borough hall is no longer an option solely for structural reasons.

"It's not an air quality or health issue," Bennett said. "There are structural issues that require vacating the building."

Bennett said the borough's administration, finance, construction and court operations will be moved to the Old Wharf House at 316 E. Main St.

The Oceanport Library will be moved to the community center, which is in the process of being refurbished.

"It's going to look very nice when we're done," Bennett said.

Oceanport United Methodist Church at 50 Main St., and possibly Cavalry Baptist Church at 1305 Eatontown Blvd. will be used for borough committees and groups such as Oceanport Environmental Commission.

"All these moves will happen in a month in a perfect world," Bennett said.

The police department, which is currently being operated out of trailers at borough hall, will also be relocated. Bennett said the new location for the department is still under discussion.

He added that the borough is looking at minimal costs for the relocation of all the departments and that Hurricane Sandy funding will cover a portion of the move.

Mahon said the borough is still determining whether the old borough hall will be repaired or if a new location will be purchased or leased.