Members of the Lakehurst Borough Council agreed to hear publicly the concerns of Cedar Street residents who content that an annual winter gathering of hunters at a nearby home creates a disturbance.
A petition signed by 33 residents was presented to the council weeks ago asks that the mayor and council define the acceptable amount of hunters who can gather at a private residence and the parameters for hanging the day's kill there. Cedar Street resident Janie Baranyay told the council during its Thursday night regular meeting that she objects to the issue being discussed by the governing body during a Sept. 20 closed session.
"I'm gravely disappointed in the council," she said.
The meeting agenda stated that the closed session would be used to discuss personnel matters and contract negotiations. The discussion of the petition request "does not meet any of the exceptions for that meeting," Baranyay said.
"I protest it and think it was wrong. I think it was done because the council didn't want to have an open discussion about this issue," she said.
Baranyay and others are concerned that a gathering of hunters — many of whom are not borough residents — on their street the first week of December for the past about four years is a disturbance.
"This isn't a backyard barbecue. This is a gathering of about 25 to 40 people or more, every night for six nights with open fires and deer hanging in the yard," Baranyay said. "When is this disturbing my peace and the peace of the neighborhood?"
In response, Mayor Harry Robbins said that the council will hear the concerns in an open forum.
"We will put it on the agenda for the next meeting," he said.
Baranyay and others have said that they are not opposed to hunting or hanging the day's kill at a residence so long as it is done in a way that is not a disturbance to neighbors.
"But when you're disturbing other people it's another story," Robbins said after the meeting.
A letter from Borough Attorney Sean Gertner addressed to the petitioners states that the hunters must stay within existing nuisance ordinances and police should be contacted if a resident feels they are in violation.
The hunters who typically gather at the Cedar Street home are invited to the council's next meeting on Nov. 1 to discuss the issue with the council and neighbors.
"I'm hoping it's something they can work out," Robbins said.
Shame, shame, shame on that person who posted the homeowner's name, address and workplace.
The Lakehurst hunting gang has been hunting together for over 20 years. They have made it a tradition to keep the gathering in a townies back yard, whether that be division st, manapaqua or cedar. This gang started out small and has worked its way up to over 40 members. They have friends and family who gratiously provide lunch to this club for six days and offer their home as a place to gather. For one week out of the year i am proud to say that my son is a member of what i would like to call a family like environment. The people in this club have busy stressful lives all year and choose to spend this week together with friends, family, and their children they have taught to hunt. It just so happens that for the past few years the gathering is on Cedar. Never in all the time that I have known this gang have I heard a complaint on any other street they have gathered on in the past. This town should be proud of this and offer a more suitable place to gather if they have concerns.
I find all this in very bad taste,Everyone involved in this that live's on that street knows each other very well since they all are long time freinds so every one thought.The person that mention her place of employment is a coward .When theres a proplem it should be taken care of homeowner to homeowner and im sure since since they have know each other for many years it would have been taken care of.I know every one involved since I was born and raised in lakehurst myself, all I can say to those complaining stop acting like a bunch of high school kids and find something to do with your time since your both retired and take your wifes some where and enjoy life.
I am sure it is very easy to lie, insult and exaggerate the facts while you hide behind a screen name. My name and address is out there, If the people in this town have questions they are more then welcome to stop by. Just make sure you park in front of my house. Please one person at a time or the neighbors will complain. And if you bring kids tell them to play real quite outside or they will be called barbarians. Thank you in advance, I'd really hate to piss the neighbors off more.... That petition that was put out for 33 people to sign does not only affect me. It will affect every hunter in this town. The first part of this petition wants to dictate to you, the home owner how many hunters can be at a private residence at one time. (how many of you hunt and hang around together?). The 2nd part refers to the hanging of deer.. They want parameters set on it.. I don't know what that will be..How Many, How long, enclosed area?? Have a good night everyone!!!!!!
As far as not taking the neighbors into consideration as far as I know all of the reasonable requests that the neighbors presented, were followed. ie. not parking in front of houses; facing the deer in a certain direction; keeping the volume to an expectable level; and ending the nights at reasonable times. Lakehurst is a small community like most have said and things are normally handled cordially. As far as naming, posting the address and work place of the individual is very uncalled for and disrespectful. If tables were turned I'm sure there would be issues. Simply put it's not a town issue as no ordinances have been broke and every issue that has been brought up in the past was resolved in a neighborly manner.
"WS-I don't understand how partying and drinking until midnight around a fire barrel in your front yard has anything to do with hunting and I think thats what being questioned by those concerned." You obviously don't reside close by, because no one stays out til midnight. Most are gone by 8pm if not all by 9pm. ( people have to be up early to go hunting the next day.) The one day people might stay out later would be the Saturday which is common for most parties. Even then they are respectful and few and far between.
They do its called laws and town ordinances, None of which have been broke. If they were the towns police force would have handled them with due diligence. They are a very thorough and pro-active department. As you know being a resident of Lakehurst. As for the firework issue, there was a prompt response that handled the issue very professionally. Obviously "Tim" and "We own the night" don't agree on the issue, they both lead us to believe that they live very close, and they might, but have completely different views of the situation. I believe "Tim's" response is a little jaded since he feels the need
The "GANG" has gotten larger in the years. However, NEVER has there been 30-35 hunters in my yard. Unless you are counting the 10-15 kids that are in my yard every night playing. Then yes its possible to have that many. Yes it can get loud, but i promise you the majority of noise is coming from the kids playing. And if you live as close as you imply then you already knew this. But blaming kids having fun playing doesn't fit into the ill picture you've attempted to paint. You might also want to add the time this all occurs.. it occurs from 430 pm til 830 pm.. Still a school night. You've also felt the need to put my name and place of employment out there. Everyone in this town already knew so truly no problem there but why are you choosing to hide behind a screen name? There is 1 fire barrel,on the side of the house. It has a permit and it breaks no laws. There is also 1 keg and for you to see that in my yard you are stretching your neck to peer into my yard to see it. But also LEGAL. As I have stated before I am more then willing to speak with you or anyone else on this matter. You already have my address But don't come, unless your willing to be honest.
I would like to thank you for at least being civil. I would like you to understand that this group of hunters "the Gang" as most put it, is not ran out of my yard. These guys meet every morning on division st. It is then that they know how many will be hunting and where they are going for the day. I do allow them to hang their deer in my yard. I was born and raised in this town and never seen an issue with hanging deer. Still don't. I was raised with hunters and my daughter hunts. Would gladly move deer further back on the side of house. But for me to do that someone had to say something. I am not unapproachable, I still talk to them and pleasant towards them. Even after they called Manchester code enforcer on me then in turn set animal control to my house in September for deer hanging. Being a hunter you know there was no deer hanging in my yard in September. The statement that they are in my yard to midnight is false and falls 3 hrs short of the truth. The fire barrel is on the side yard and pushed back. I start the barrel at 4 pm and extinguish it at 9 pm. There has never been 30-40 hunters in my yard. To be honest if there was its still legal for me to have people at my house. Never have we been issued a ticket, summons or boro ordinance for noise. Being a hunter you also know that it is very costly to be a member of a club. anywhere from 450.00 to 800.00. Most cant afford it. Or don't want to pay that to hunt for a week. They hunt with their kids and family.
Welcome to the blog. You are correct most of what was stated in the article above to the reporter was true but not all. You are more then welcome to pass that video tape to them or ATF. It is a little discerning to know you held on to a tape of my house for 3 to 4 years.. Not to mention the fact that you even videotaped my house. I'm sorry.. I'm assuming 3-4 years because you moved 3 years ago?? Nice to hear from ya, and I hope the family is doing well.