“Road Scholars” — Borough Public Works Leadership
“Learning From the Best” …
Monmouth Beach homeowners are absolutely and correctly proud about the way their town looks. Appearances count big-time in real estate. Credit for this seashore satisfaction goes in no small measure to the borough’s devoted public works department.
Without a doubt exceptional DPW service and responsiveness has greatly enhanced the quality of life for borough residents while also increasing property values. It’s undeniable. All going back to the borough’s founding over a century ago. The record is all the more sterling in that they toil in a location held mercy to the fickle and forceful nature of two major bodies of water. Total spending on municipal public works salaries and expenses will clear $700,000, according to the ’24 town budget. The current team includes nine men.
I know some out-of-towners who covet the look and feel of Monmouth Beach and they already know about town “Road Crew” hard work and hustle. The sanitation crew offers property owners four weekly refuse collections (twice for garage and once each for recyclables and bulk items) — always done quietly and carefully. The DPW’s record of keeping borough roadways clean and clear of snow even during the worst of storms is also renowned locally. Superior maintenance of the borough’s buildings, parks, and grounds. Keeping its vital roadways pristine. Maintenance and mastery of borough equipment. At work shortly after dawn, going the extra mile for homeowners and town officials. It’s all part of the DPW package. Superior services delivered and expected in Monmouth Beach.
Leadership Through & Through …
Employing deep knowledge of the town’s infrastructure, geography, and unique challenges these unheralded DPW leaders have helped build and protect an exceptional beach community. Much gratitude is in order.
The first borough “road king” (ie, director of public works) was Harry C. West. When borough commissioners created the job of “Custodian of Borough Hall” in May 1933, West got the $1,800 per year position. This borough native — having worked on town roads since the late-1910s — would lead the department until retiring in 1953. He was also a 50-year+ borough fireman and the company’s chief in 1921. A longtime Hastings Place resident, when Harry died in June 1964 town leaders remembered him as a “faithful and hard-working” borough employee.
In 1953 Walter E. Roe, Jr., took on the superintendent’s job and served until December 1979. Working when the town experienced enormous population growth — quadrupling up from 800 year-around residents, Walt always kept the town presentable. “The interests of Monmouth Beach always came first,” said his devoted niece, Patricia Keller. The son of a borough councilman and fire chief (Walter, Sr.), he was a 1928 Monmouth Beach School graduate. The civic-minded Roe also served in the US Army during WW II (decorated for his armored tank service in Europe) and was a borough fire company member for nearly 70 years and its chief in 1947. He died in February 2003.
“To work for the common good is the greatest creed.”
—Dr. Albert Schweitzer
Borough native Louis Ferrugiaro took over as public works superintendent in 1980 and would hold the top job for a quarter century. A strong and serious man, he was among the 153,000+ US servicemen to be wounded in action during the Vietnam War. A US Army private a month shy of his tour of duty ending in June 1970, Lou was badly injured and ended up losing an eye. After a long recovery and travel period, he returned home in Monmouth Beach to a hero’s welcome. The town turned out for a large parade and celebration in July 1971 to honor him. Lou also did duty in the borough’s fire company, first aid squad and police department.
In 2004, Allen Miller was appointed borough DPW director. He would serve until 2014 — leading the department when it faced perhaps its greatest-ever challenge. Restoring town appearances after the devastating Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. Monmouth Beach bounced back better than ever. Joseph Chirichello — the town’s public works boss since January 2015 — ably carries on the tradition of keeping Monmouth Beach neat and tidy. His official title is: “Certified Public Works Manager/Superintendent of the Public Works Department for the Borough of Monmouth Beach.”
Cementing the deal — over the past 90 years all of the borough’s top public works men have been borough residents. So they have a material stake in the town’s looking great.
Good Government
Credit this pride of place to Monmouth Beach voter wisdom in electing capable town officials to oversee the DPW over the years. A series of leaders who understood and practiced the trades. Willing to listen and learn, get their hands dirty and be persistent in solving a neighbor’s problem or concern.
For over 50 years — as town population grew vastly — their political mission was to guard Monmouth Beach splendor: Commissioners Harold Peterson (1953-1977), Bruce Bradley (1978-1997) and Bill Barham (1997-2005). These men administered over decades of worthy public improvements, monitored town growth and ensured countless recoveries from nature’s fury. While also watching the small details that keep a town looking just right. All three commissioners were steady, serious and successful — both in civic and business life. They were men of the community with the ability to go anywhere in the borough and be heard. No people or place in town disrespected their opinions.
The borough’s current public works commissioner since 2021, Tim Somers, is a borough native who knows the history and the responsibility — back to “his boyhood days.” Over the past year he’s administered over a couple of $1 million-dollar public works projects — Monmouth Parkway improvements and upgrading the borough’s major recreation area, 8-acre waterfront Griffin Park.
Borough of Monmouth Beach Public Works Department
18 Willow Avenue
Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750
732-229-5513 / Website
• Griffin Park: Monmouth Beach’s Playground — HERE