Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News

  • Enough!

    21stPav

    Freight train like wind…steady rain…above average high tides…just another beautiful day at the shore   😉

    I’m looking at the American flags on top of Hoy’s 5 & 10 (that’s my version of the Weather Channel from my office)- sustained winds from the north east.

    The bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle is closed (waves crash over the rocks during this type of storm)- and there is moderate flooding near the bay in the low lying areas.

    P.S.  The wind by the ocean (21st Street pavilion) was incredible- taking this picture was a challenge!

    P.S. The Townsend Inlet bridge (between Avalon and Sea Isle City) will be closed until next week.  A barge on site for repairs broke loose during the storm and hit the bridge- possibly causing some structural damage. 

  • Dune Buggy

    dunebuggy No, it’s not Monster Truck week in Stone Harbor.

    This unique dune buggy will be used by the dredging company during the beach fill project.  Other, more ordinary equipment arrived early this morning to the parking area at 111th Street.

  • Agitation

    OceanFoam

    Foamy waves from a rough ocean.  Mother Nature’s spin cycle to clean the water.

    Along with the foam, natural and man made debris is pushed to the shore for proper disposal.  It’s a gentle reminder for the beach walkers to bring along a trash bag to help with the process!

    P.S.  The Stone Harbor beach fill project (98th to 111th Streets)- updated schedule- survey work this week, and pumping of sand to start on Sunday, November 8th (weather permitting).

  • October- Market Stats

    Avalon and Stone Harbor:  During the month of October, 27 properties SOLD (settled)  There are an additional 48 properties sale pending with settlement in the near future.

    Prices ranged from $369,899 for a 2 bedroom condo on the bay; to $2,800,000 for a new, Stone Harbor custom home on a large lot- 1 block from the beach.  The median selling price was $1,445,000.

    19 of the 27 sales were single family homes.

    Statistically,  current market values are in line with values from 2003.   If you calculate the entire 10 year period (a reasonable holding time for real estate), seashore real estate still grew in value.

    Example (based on an actual house located in the 100 block of 36th Street, Avalon).  Standard 2 level upside down style home built in 1980.  It SOLD in 1988 for $281,500; 1990 for $325,000;  1998 for $355,000; 2002 for $849,000; and in 2005 for $1,782,830.  Realistically, this house is worth in the $1,400,000 range today (falling within the average 20% decline since the peak in 2005). 

    If you would like specific value information for your neighborhood, please let me know-  ann@anndelaney.com

  • 96th Street, Stone Harbor

    Ace   7pm- Wednesday night on 96th Street.  Not another human or car in sight- just a skunk!  They love this time of year  🙂

  • More Beach Info

    yellowtape Major dilemma…to climb over or under the yellow tape to get to the beach  :)    Based on the foot prints on the sand, I am not the only one ignoring the signs!

     

     

     

     

    123rdnorth

     The Stone Harbor beaches south of 112th Street had some erosion, but no damage to their dunes.  South of 123rd Street (the Hobie Cat beach) was hit hard, but the point area is fine.  This picture was taken at high tide from the 123rd Street beach entrance- looking north.

    A beautiful day today to be outdoors…and at the shore!

  • Sunday Sights

    Sunday High tide on Dune Drive! 

    Glad for a back parking lot at work.  Water is quickly surrounding the cars parked on the street.

    The winds are now from the north and expected from the north west by this afternoon.  That will keep the bay waters high, but help on the beach side.

  • Bad News…Good News

    Octsign  First the Bad News:  the coastal storm is causing some beach erosion along the Jersey Shore.  Just checked out our beach- which was already in bad shape from previous storms.  These pictures were taken at 5:30pm tonight - one hour before high tide.

     

     

     

     

    Octstorm

     Sand dunes- the most valuable real estate on the island- protecting our shore line.

     

     

     

     

     

    OctNunsBeachNun’s Beach (111th Street) looking south. 

    Now the Good News:  the Stone Harbor beach fill project is scheduled to start within the next 2 weeks.  The dredging company is still working on the North Wildwood  beaches (can you imagine that job in this weather??)

    Dreary, wet, windy, and chilly.  But the power of the ocean is so mesmerizing… you have to check it out!

  • Avalon & Stone Harbor Elementary Schools

    I attended the meeting last week regarding the consolidation of the 2 island elementary schools. 

    Based on the study presented at the meeting:  projected enrollment for each school is not expected to rise.  Avalon has an average of 75 students; Stone Harbor 69.  Tuition students- approximately 10 per school.

    The Avalon School has a capacity for 200 students; Stone Harbor 150 students.  If the 2 schools combined, the average class size would be 15 students.

    The cost savings to the tax payers- less than $100 per year.  The real benefit is the social interaction for the students and ultimately, a better education.

    The school boards have 3 options:  1) no change; 2) a send/receive agreement utilizing both facilities with the lower grades in Stone Harbor, and the higher grades in Avalon; 3) a complete merger to one facility- the Avalon structure is newer and larger, so the likely choice.

    The send/receive option is the easiest to implement and does not require a public vote.  Both school boards are discussing the study now.

  • Schools on the Island

    http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/55144-sevenmile+schools+examine+consolidation+options

    An article regarding the ongoing debate to consolidate the 2 elementary schools on the island.  The State of New Jersey will eventually force action, so the hope is that the 2 communities can work together to determine a positive solution.

    Back in the dark ages (when I attended Avalon Elementary), new families were moving to town and the school population was growing- even prompting an addition to the school in the early 1970’s.  Stone Harbor’s class size has always been smaller than Avalon’s- creating social issues for the students.

    Now, both schools rely on tuition students to partially fill the classrooms. 

    The Avalon Land and Homeowners Association has scheduled a meeting on October 7th at 7pm in the Avalon Elementary School- looking for public comment.