New Jersey Town Lagging on Post-Storm Boardwalk Repairs

In the race to rebuild boardwalks following Superstorm Sandy, one New Jersey shore town is having a harder time than others.

Avon is lagging behind many other shore towns, dogged by legal and environmental woes that have delayed the start of its own boardwalk reconstruction.

The Monmouth County town just awarded a $1.5 million contract last week.

Problems included the town’s handling of a deal to rebuild a boardwalk restaurant, a court injunction over a 1/8th of an inch difference in the size of boards between competing bidders, and a protest by environmentalists over the town’s plan to use rain forest wood to rebuild the walkway.

Mayor Robert Mahon feels the boardwalk will be ready by Memorial Day, but admits it will be close.