Barnegat Residents Say 'Quality Of Life' Issues Impact Town

BARNEGAT, NJ — Several Barnegat residents took to the Township Committee to complain about some quality of life issues they have experienced around town.

The complaints were shared at the May 4 Township Committee meeting.

Victor and Maryann Passiatore, who live on Liberty Court, shared an ongoing issue with a neighboring residence. R&D Transit operates out of a residence, and Victor Passiatore said this has been an issue since their approval in 2015.

Victor Passiatore said he brought up the issue first to the committee in 2018, but now the business has expanded. He said the original approval was for one vehicle associated with the business, but now there are multiple busses and vans parking on the front lawn of the residence and on the street of the cul-de-sac.

"The street is like their personal parking lot," Maryann Passiatore said. The couple said that the business parks the business vehicles on the lawn, and the drivers park their personal vehicles on the street.

The noise from the vehicles begins at 5 a.m., said Victor Passiatore, and it bothers him even with the windows of his house closed. He added that the multiple drivers are disrespectful.

"Why this guy is still operating out of his house, I don't get it," Victor Passiatore said. He and his wife became visibly upset throughout the sharing of their experience. Victor Passiatore said he does not like coming to complain, but other residents on the street are afraid to speak up due to pushback from the business's owner.

"How many more times do we have to come to you all about this?" Maryann Passiatore said. The couple shared that they wanted to leave the town because of this issue.

The committee said that they were unable to share anything about the issue due to it being a pending Municipal Court matter and that the committee was not able to speak on it.

John Gennarelli, who lives in the 55+ community Pheasant Run, also shared some quality of life issues he has experience. He said that Barnegat is a "great little town" but is growing very quickly.

Gennarelli, a trustee in his community, said that they have had a few issues, including a car that has been on the road for over a year. He also complained of someone wanting to store a school bus in their parking lot. Some people in the community have also wanted to expand beyond their property.

Gennarelli said that the board tries to stay within the rules and regulations of Pheasant Run, but "sometimes people try to expand and go beyond those rights."

He asked the committee for help and for answers. "I would even volunteer to be on a quality of life committee," Gennarelli said, referencing the Passiatores issue as well.

Mayor Alfonso Cirulli said that he listens to all complaints and "makes a point" to always follow up. He told the audience that if anyone has an issue to email himself or the committee and they will act on it.

"Just report it," Cirulli said. "Report it, and we'll stay right on it."

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