Belmar OKs Potential Use Of Eniment Domain For First Aid Site

BELMAR, NJ – Despite concerns raised from the public, the Belmar borough council passed an ordinance during their Tuesday meeting giving the borough the authority to potentially use eminent domain as a way to acquire the property belonging to the former Belmar First Aid Squad.

The ordinance, which was introduced at the June 15 council meeting, was made in response to deed restrictions placed on the potential purchase by the First Aid Squad, which ceased operations on March 31 due to lack of funding and other operational issues.

During the public comment period before the ordinance’s approval, multiple community members expressed their displeasure with the idea of eminent domain being on the table.

“I understand why the town wants the building, but I don’t agree with the way you are doing it,” Former Belmar councilman Jim Bean said during the meeting, calling the ordinance an “abuse of power.”

Borough attorney Patrick Varga spoke on the ordinance, stating that the borough’s plan isn't to use eminent domain but to give themselves more options when negotiating.

“It is our intention to resolve this in the most amicable manner possible because we want to respect the borough’s first aid squad and its history to this town,” Varga said.

Before casting his vote for the ordinance, councilman James McCracken spoke about how the council’s job was to make difficult decisions that were in the community's best interest as a whole.

“Do we all wish that these negotiations were not at this point?" McCracken said. “Absolutely, but we are in a situation here where we have got to move forward so we can protect the public adequately who live in this town.”