By John Pacenti
A homeowner asked the Manalapan Town Commission to stop a neighbor from tunneling under State Road A1A during the height of the tourist season, but to no avail.
Mary and Ralph Gesualdo said the tunneling work for the properties at 1890 S. Ocean Blvd. and 1900 S. Ocean Blvd. violated a condition set by the commission that work on the tunnels would be completed by Nov. 15.
Tunnels are commonplace in Manalapan for people who live on the Intracoastal Waterway side of A1A and want to connect to the beach portions of their properties.
The Gesualdos said at the Jan. 14 commission meeting that doing work now with all the part-time residents in town poses a safety hazard because A1A will need to be shut down to one lane.
The homes in question are still being constructed on property owned by Jagbir and Sarla Singh. The Gesualdos’ property is next door at 1920 S. Ocean Blvd.
“But I guess my real question is, why now? Why during the season? Why for a house that isn’t even built yet?” Ralph Gesualdo said. “Why jeopardize the safety of the residents?”
Mary Gesualdo said since two tunnels need to be built that the work would be prolonged.
The Gesualdos’ attorney — James Gavigan Jr. — said the tunnels’ construction was approved on the condition that it be completed before part-time residents returned.
Town Attorney Keith Davis said that’s not exactly the case. The condition was that the Singhs make a good-faith effort to get the tunnels completed.
“My further understanding is that there were permitting issues with the Florida Department of Transportation,” Davis said. “Otherwise what could have been forward progression, in my opinion, cannot be put on the shoulders of the applicant.”
He said the town had no authority to stop a lawful building permit. The tunnel project is estimated to take six weeks during which a one-lane bypass will be constructed. Workers with signs will permit traffic flow in each direction.
As for the safety issue, Town Manager Eric Marmer said it is his understanding that digging tunnels during the rainy season in the summer is more dangerous.
Commissioner Cindy McMackin said the commission might want to consider passing an ordinance that limits the construction of tunnels to the off season.
“This isn’t the time to have that discussion,” Marmer said.
The Gesualdos also complained they had not received proper notification from the town in its approving building plans for the next-door properties. “This project is causing us to install a retaining wall because he has lowered his grade on his property,” Mary Gesualdo said.
Marmer said that the town can only send out information; it doesn’t control if it is seen or not.
Davis reminded commissioners that the comments by the Gesualdos and others were made under public comments and that the issue of the tunnels was not on the meeting’s agenda. The Singhs were not present.
Mayor John Deese told the couple that he heard their concerns and that he planned to have a discussion with Marmer and his staff. “We’ll look at what options we may have and also look for future opportunities to improve communications,” he said.
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