History of the Ortley Beach Voters & Taxpayers Association Inc.

(Previously) Ortley Beach Property Owners Association Inc.

The Ortley Beach Property Owners Association Inc. (OBPOA) began on August 1, 1984 when a group of approximately three hundred concerned residents assembled at the Ortley Beach First Aid Building to discuss the common plight of ever increasing Dover Township property taxes and the lack of municipal services received by Ortley Beach from the Township of Dover (Dover Township). The residents decided to channel their common interests through one body.

The OBPOA elected Dan Polifroni President and the Association worked in a responsible professional manner to explore the feasibility of separating itself from Dover Township either by annexation or by legislation which would result in the creation of the Borough of Ortley Beach. The “Free Ortley Beach” movement was the topic of conversation and the major headline of the day.

The campaign was waged with determination. The OBPOA obtained the top lobbyist in the State and the Ortley Bill passed the New Jersey Assembly, but was stalled in the State Senate. Throughout the campaign, the OBPOA never lost hope that the bill would move forward. However, the Legislative session ended and the movement was lost.

Over the following years, the property owners may not have heard much about the OBPOA, but Dan Polifroni worked on a daily basis to make Ortley Beach the community it is today. He became a regular at the then Dover Township Committee and Caucus meetings and often apressed the Committee on matter effecting not just Ortley Beach, but the entire Toms River community.

He is credited with gaining fire protection for Ortley Beach and having 19 new fire hydrants installed, with getting us clean useable water and the Ortley Beach water tower. The gazebos on the boardwalk and dune walkovers became a reality because of Dan. Most recently in 2002, he was keenly involved in the Dover Township Change of Government from the Committee form to the Mayor/Council form enjoyed today.

Dan worked for five years advocating a police substation in Ortley Beach, and he was in Towns Hall after the July 4, 2003 weekend blackout. He advocated and started the charge that the old sewer plant be designated open space and not be turned over to development.

To those who knew Dan, including our many elected officials who recognized him when he took the floor during public comment at Committee and Council meetings, he was called the “Mayor of Ortley Beach”.

Over the years, membership numbers dwindled, but Dan and the Association carried on with the fight for municipal services. He held the President’s office since 1984 until October 2004 when he voluntarily stepped down after forming a committee to elect a new President and new officers.