OBSC1 Summer 2024 Updates and Reminders
OBSC1 Members:
With the unofficial start to summer behind us, we wanted to reach out with some important updates and reminders.
BADGE PICKUP | Owner’s badges may be picked up on Saturday, June 8th from 10am-2pm at 236 Bay Beach Way. We will be selling OBSC1 branded clothing as well on Saturday. For anyone unable to pick them up on June 8th, badges will be available at the Badge Booth starting Saturday, June 15th when beach officially opens.
BAY BEACH CLEAN-UP | Volunteers needed for Bay Beach Clean-up on Saturday, June 8th at 10am. Please bring shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows that you have available. As mentioned in the Spring Newsletter, our Bay Beach was impacted by the winter storms so we appreciate your help in getting it ready for the summer season.
BEACH OPENING | Our beaches will officially open on Saturday, June 15, 2024 and will be open from 9am-5pm daily, conditions permitting and unless otherwise posted. As a reminder, please only swim in designated areas and follow lifeguard instructions. Everything they do is for the safety of our owners, families and guests!
CONSTRUCTION | As a reminder, no construction work is allowed between June 15, 2024, and September 15, 2024. Also, all boats, jet skis, trailers etc. must be removed from OBSC1 properties by June 15, 2024. Craft and trailers may be returned to properties on September 15, 2024.
Memorial Day Weekend
The weather over the Memorial Day Weekend was some of the best in recent memory, save for Monday’s rain. The great weather brought lots of people to the shore which was great to see but was not without its share of issues up and down the Jersey coastline, including in OBSC1. On more than one occasion over the weekend, considerable amounts of litter and debris, including cans, bottles, broken glass, disposed cigarettes/cigars, were left in the sitting areas and bases of our dune crossovers. Some of the trash was ‘buried’ beneath the surface creating a hazard for anyone walking without shoes. It is estimated that trash was left between midnight and 4am based on information we have received. The areas were cleaned up by volunteers as quickly as possible to avoid issues and injury but we can all agree that this is not an acceptable situation. Security has been alerted to this situation and will take measures to mitigate future situations. The Trustees are discussing additional measures to put into place, including engaging with Toms River PD on potential solutions given the seriousness and potential harm to beach goers.
As owners in our community, we are asking that you speak with your family members, guests and renters about respecting our community. If you have any information about the individuals who may have participated in these activities, please contact the Trustees; we will ensure your confidentiality.
Spring Owners Meeting
Our annual Spring meeting was held on Thursday, May 23rd via Zoom. Draft minutes will be prepared and shared in advance of our annual Fall meeting. In advance of the official record being published, we are sharing a summary of key topics discussed below. We would like to thank the vast majority of members who engaged with the Trustees, and fellow members, in a respectful and productive manner during our meeting.
Fall Meeting Minutes were voted on and approved. While draft minutes were posted in accordance with our bylaws, we will attempt to get them posted earlier in the future based on your feedback and suggestions
Based on feedback from the community and challenges with staffing, the badge checking process will be slightly different this summer, with badge checkers supported by Security staff doing sweeps of the beach to ensure all beach goers have an appropriate OBSC1 beach badge
Social events planning is underway; the DJ is booked for 4th of July and Labor Day weekends, movie nights will take place on Wednesday nights, and Sunday morning yoga will be back. More events will be planned – be sure to check the calendar on our website, follow us on Instagram and Facebook and check out the Weekly Wave posted at dune crossovers
There was also discussion on the litigation underway. While there seems to be a focus on the ability of an owner to build a home exceeding 28 feet from base flood elevation (BFE), as our communications in November 2023 and April 2024 have specified, there are more serious and significant issues that the Club is facing. The litigation primarily involves a dispute between the plaintiffs and OBSC1 concerning whether the height of the intended structure that the plaintiffs wish to build conforms to OBSC1’s construction rules. The plaintiffs further contend that OBSC1 lacks authority to regulate any height restrictions despite deed provisions, our bylaws and our rules and regulations. Given the extreme impact of the claims made against us, OBSC1 has been forced into a situation of protracted (and costly) litigation to defend itself or risk losing the Club’s ability to govern (according to our Deeds, By-Laws, Rules & Regulations and Construction rules), potentially face receivership or bankruptcy, or both. Without an ability to govern, the Club would be left in unchartered territory putting at risk access to our beaches and marina, impacting our home values and losing what OBSC1 has been for over 75 years. It is certain that it would be a long and complicated process to sort out what the future of our community may be.
We are looking forward to another great summer in OBSC1.
Thanks,
-THE TRUSTEES