Pelican Island Access and Property Tax Relief to be Offered in Toms River

Weather permitting, Pelican Island property owners and residents will be allowed access to their homes Thursday.

Residents can go to their properties from 11 a.m. Until 2 p.m. With one vehicle per household. However, you must check in at the Bellcrest Plaza on Fisher Blvd and provide proof of ownership (driver's licence, tax bill, utility bill) To get a pass to cross the bridge.  Toms River officials says this only applies to Pelican island residents at this time.  Mayor Thomas Keleher says they're working on a plan with the New Jersey State Police to allow residents of the hardest hit areas to visit as soon as possible.

According to a Township press release, "Ortley Beach suffered the most damage along the barrier island south of Mantoloking. The Ocean Terrace roadway was completely destroyed, and Bay Boulevard has over twenty sinkholes from Hardi Avenue to the Lavallette border. The NJDOT has removed a number of structures that floated off the foundations and settle in the middle of both municipal roads and State Highway 35."

Council Members announce  plans to pass a resolution to give a property tax grace period because of hurricane sandy.  Officials say the resolution calls for waiving late payment interest fees related to the fourth-quarter 2012 property taxes through December 31st.  The measure could be passed at the next council meeting.