Take Action
Make Your Voice Heard
Ship Bottom residents, homeowners, and supporters can play a meaningful role in shaping fair and effective STR policy. Every email, phone call, and public comment helps ensure that our local laws reflect transparency, balance, and the best interests of the entire community.
Here are the most important ways you can get involved today.
1. Email the Mayor and Council
Reaching out to local officials is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard. Whether you support revisions, request additional review, or want clearer financial justification, your message matters.
- William Huelsenbeck, Mayor
- Edward English, Council President, Chairman of Parks & Recreation
- Joseph Valyo, Chairman of Public Works
- David Hartman, Chairman of Finance
- Mary Basile, Chairwoman of Public Property
- Robert Butkus, Chairman of Water/Sewer
- Tom Tallon, Chairman of Public Safety
- Kristy Correnti, Municipal Clerk
Phone: (609) 494-2171, ext. 116
kdeboer@shipbottom.org
Suggested Email Message (Copy & Paste)
Subject: Request for Further Review of the STR Ordinance
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to request additional review and revision of the proposed Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance. While I support reasonable safety standards and responsible rental practices, I am concerned that the ordinance, as currently written, may have unintended consequences for homeowners, local businesses, and Ship Bottom’s tourism-driven economy.
I respectfully ask the Council to consider further discussion, clarification of key provisions, and alignment with existing standards used in neighboring LBI towns.
Thank you for your time and for your service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Ship Bottom Address or Affiliation]
2. Attend Upcoming Council Meetings
Attending Borough meetings shows officials that residents are paying attention and care about the outcome. Public comments can influence decisions and help ensure that community views are heard before any vote is taken.
- Check ShipBottomSTR.org for meeting dates and updates
- Arrive early to sign up for public comment
- Keep remarks respectful, factual, and under two minutes
- Encourage neighbors or other homeowners to attend
3. Share Accurate Information With Neighbors
Many residents first hear about the ordinance through social media posts or second-hand conversations. Sharing verified information from official documents helps prevent confusion and keeps the discussion focused on facts rather than rumors.
4. Support the Ship Bottom Taxpayers Association
Most STR owners and second-home owners in Ship Bottom don’t have a vote — but we still pay taxes and we’re directly affected by decisions made at the Borough level. That’s why the Ship Bottom Taxpayers Association (SBTA) exists: to give homeowners like us a voice where we otherwise wouldn’t have one.
Ship Bottom is the only town on LBI that didn’t have a taxpayer organization until recently. The SBTA was formed to fix that gap and to make sure residents, property owners, and STR hosts have representation when it comes to issues that impact taxes, infrastructure, safety, development, and quality of life.
The SBTA also participates in the Joint Council of Taxpayers (JCTA), where all LBI town taxpayer groups work together and have successfully influenced major decisions across the island for years.
If you want Ship Bottom to stay fair, transparent, and responsive to the people who actually pay for the town to function, consider joining the SBTA and adding your voice. As an taxpayer without a vote it’s the best money you’ll ever spend.
5. Join the STR Coalition
The Coalition is a volunteer group helping collect documents, summarize meetings, communicate updates, and support fair STR policy. Anyone who believes in transparency and balanced regulations is welcome to join.
6. Stay Updated
We will continue to update this website with new documents, meeting outcomes, ordinance revisions, and action alerts. Please check back regularly as the situation evolves.