OBSC1 Important Updates - Fall 2024

OBSC1 Members:

We hope you are all enjoying the first few weeks of the official holiday season. It’s been approximately a month since our Fall Membership meeting and we are reaching out with a lengthy, but important, email on several matters of importance.

Legal Matter Update
As discussed at our Fall Meeting on November 2, 2024, the appeal process with the NJ Appellate Court Division on the matter involving Mr. and Mrs. Gross took longer than anyone expected due to matters outside of our control. However, we are pleased to report that in late November, we were informed that the Appellate Division reversed the summary judgment order against the Club and the lower court’s order has been vacated, with the case remanded back to the Chancery Division for further proceedings. This was a very positive outcome for the Club and its members!

The Appellate Division agreed with the Club’s position that there were outstanding genuine issues of material fact, and accordingly, the matter was improperly decided by the trial judge. Importantly, given the facts, the Appellate Division dismissed the main argument that the Club did not have the authority to regulate the height of the buildings within the community. Rather, it accepted the Club’s position that the genesis deed’s language permitted the Club to establish reasonable building restrictions.

All in all, this decision strongly supports the Club’s right to establish and enforce building restrictions, enabling the Board to continue operating as it has since 1948, and it vacates the order regarding the Gross property. There are additional steps which will be undertaken in Court during the coming weeks and months, and we will update members as appropriate.

Trustee Elections
Thanks to all who joined us at our Fall Membership Meeting on November 2, 2024; we had a great turnout! During that meeting, a vote was held to elect/re-elect members to our Board of Trustees. Please join us in welcoming our elected/re-elected slate of Trustees (in alphabetical order):

  • Scott Barone

  • Dave Finter

  • Mike Kraynanski

  • Renee Simler

  • John Tedesco

  • Barry Tetrault

Each will serve a 2-year term effective January 1, 2025, and will join the other Trustees who are currently serving their elected terms. A special thank you to all candidates for their willingness to run for a position in support of our community. We are also pleased to report that a majority of members present voted Yes in favor of approving the 2025 Club budget and voted to Accept the minutes from our Spring Meeting. 

Financial Statements
At our Fall Meeting, several members requested additional transparency regarding our financial statements. While the Trustees have made hard copy financial records available at our Fall Meetings annually, we will begin posting records online in the Homeowners section of our website for more expedient access. We had hoped to make these available sooner after the Fall meeting, but had to wait for final auditor approval on fiscal year 2023, which we now have. Please treat this information as private and confidential and do not circulate these files, including copies or reproductions of any kind, to anyone outside of the Club.

The following documents will be updated on our website shortly; links are included for immediate access:

Ocean Beach Surf Club Inc. Profit & Loss [modified cash basis] (as of 9/30/2024)

2023 Club Audited Financials (as of 12/31/2023)

2022 Club Audited Financials (as of 12/31/2022)

Forthcoming over the winter will be copies of the unapproved Fall Meeting minutes (for vote on approval during the Spring Meeting), our 2025 Spring Newsletter, additional information regarding litigation (as appropriate), additional information and forms regarding the 2025 summer rental process and a member survey where you can all make your voices heard on several topics.

On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, we wish you a very Happy Holiday season and a Happy, Healthy New Year!