Last week the owners of Waters Gate Marina in Holgate asked residents to attend this past Monday’s Long Beach Township Board of Commissioners meeting in a show of support against the municipality’s eminent domain considerations for the property. However, Kim and Jim Occhipinti offered an update prior to the meeting: “The mayor reached out to us with a new proposal that does not involve a forced sale of our property through eminent domain, or any sale of our property at all.

“What we feared would be years of litigation has, in just two weeks, become a conversation about a path forward that keeps our property in our hands,” the business owners added.

Waters Gate Marina, at 128 West Osborn Ave., is situated across the street from the LBT Field Station for Marine Education and Research, at 127 West Osborn Ave.

The Occhipintis aim to continue to run their business and move forward with plans, approved by the township land use board, to build a single-family home on the bayfront lot. The township said previously it was exploring the possibility of acquisition of the site to “preserve and enhance public access to the waterfront for recreational boating, environmental opportunities and other public purposes,” but it appears that is no longer the case.

While the couple paused their call for supporters to attend the recent township meeting, they also noted, “There is no final agreement yet. Our attorney will work through the proposal, and we will keep you updated as much as we can while those discussions continue.”

The meeting, in the end, was a quick one, and included updates about the holiday lights on Long Beach Boulevard, which should be up before Thanksgiving, and dune grass, which is available for residents to pick up at the municipal public works yard at 7910 Long Beach Blvd. in Beach Haven Crest from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Commissioner Alexander Meehan reminded homeowners they can sign up for WaterSmart online to track water usage. Visit longbeachtwpnj.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome to register.

He also recommended signing up for Nixle, via local.nixle.com/long-beach-township-police-department, to receive alerts about road closures, storms, flooding and more.

Last, said Meehan, live traffic cameras provide views of certain areas of the Boulevard at lbtpublic.packetalk.net:5350/IVC/views/1-live-view.htm; these cams prove helpful during flood events, as residents can check the status of the road.

Mayor Joseph Mancini announced the township’s upcoming Veterans Day tribute, which will be held at noon in the township’s Veterans Park, at 133rd Street and Long Beach Blvd. in Beach Haven Terrace.

The Southern Regional Choir will present the National Anthem, and Chelsea Wozniak is slated to sing America the Beautiful. The mayor and the VFW Post 3729 chaplain, respectively, will offer a few words and a prayer. A bugler from Bugles Across America will perform Taps to end the ceremony.

Refreshments from Jersey Girl Grill and Jersey Girl Kitchen – coffee, hot cocoa, bagels and coffee cake – will be provided.

“We look forward to this every year,” said Mancini. “We encourage people to join us.”

The next meeting of the township board of commissioners is set for 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7.