31 Jan **** Borough Meeting Highlights 01-06-2023
Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,
The first monthly borough meeting of 2023 was held on Friday, January 6th at 7:00 pm in the borough hall. Approximately 20 people were in attendance. Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Banning and Segrest, Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala and Solicitor Lyons were present.
ORDINANCE #606 (2023) – first reading: Enterprise Zone Development Corporation of the Wildwoods.
RESOLUTIONS #2023-001 through #2023-006 relate to the following:
- Request for NJ Governor Murphy to allow the Borough of West Wildwood to use COVID relief funds to help offset the expected significant increase in NJ employee’s health care premiums.
- Authorizing the Borough of West Wildwood Police Department to purchase excess Department of Defense equipment.
- Authorizing the refund of overpayment of property tax and utility payments.
- Authorizing the appointment of individuals to serve on the Enterprise Zone Development Corp of the Wildwoods Board of Directors.
- Authorizing the application for a 2023 Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) funded by the NJ Department of Community Affairs.
- Authorizing the awarding of a contract to James M. Rutala Associates LLC for planning and grant consultation services.
The commissioner reports were presented, and they will be available in their entirety on the Borough website. If you would like a copy of any report, please request it via our email address below or OPRA it directly from Borough Hall.
PUBLIC WORKS:
- Staff was busy putting up holiday décor, prepping vehicles and equipment for winter weather and repair of flood gates.
ENGINEERING NEWS:
- County officials will visit this month to discuss the Open Space Program at the playground.
- Road projects for West Maple, J and West Pine Avenues are in the design, planning and/or funding phases.
- Soil borings will be taken for the new bulkhead at Venice Avenue and this ties in with the Lake Avenue storm project.
- The new police department ramp is nearly complete.
- A meeting took place with the Condo Association and property owners and will follow up to discuss plans to minimize flooding at J Avenue.
- Phase #2 manhole repairs will begin in about two weeks.
FINANCE:
- Less than 90% of the 2022 budget was expended. Unspent or cancelled funds of approximately $98,000 will go towards the 2023 budget. Any remaining unspent funds will go to the surplus and used for the 2024 budget. The fact that there is a surplus is a positive.
- While sewer flow rates have improved, wind, rain and flooding continue to create huge spikes. The second round of manhole repairs should help. In addition, the Borough of West Wildwood will contract with a company that places acoustic sensors within the manholes for 60 days to track flow and identify problem manholes.
PUBLIC SAFETY (373 calls for service):
- Total motor vehicle stops totaled 7 during the month as well as 1 parking complaint/violation.
- There were 11 medical assists/well-being checks in December and 238 property checks.
- It should be noted that West Wildwood resumed patrols at night effective Friday, December 30, 2022, at 7:00 pm.
NOTES FROM THE MAYOR:
- Applications will be submitted for Parks and Recreation grants, Open Space and UEZ grants. Possible UEZ grants include a new sign, public safety cameras and an update to streetlights on Glenwood Avenue to LED.
- The Borough Beautification Fund monies were used towards the construction of the pavilion ($4,000), two recycled plastic picnic tables ($2,429) and the reinstallation of the memorial pavers in Neptune Park ($2,035). Suggestions on the use of approximately $2,500 remaining in the Beautification Fund will be discussed at the workshop meeting on Wednesday, January 18th. You can email any suggestions for springtime projects to the mayor at mksiazek@westwildwood.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- A representative from the Ladies Auxiliary commented on the success of two sponsored events: the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and the Children’s Christmas Party. She
thanked the mayor and commissioners for their support. Note the Ladies Auxiliary meeting for January has been cancelled.
- A resident requested a berm be rebuilt at the end of Neptune Avenue due to flooding. Over time, the existing berm has eroded and created additional flooding. The mayor responded the EPA may have to be consulted. Also, the existing pump is scheduled to be rebuilt.
- An abandoned boat stored at the public works facility for more than 10 years was described as an eyesore and was requested to be removed. The borough has taken official action and is in the process of legally disposing of the vessel. The mayor indicated it will cost the borough a ‘good amount of money’ to remove the boat.
- The Living Shoreline and overall island protection grants have been submitted. The State of New Jersey has followed up with the borough with additional questions. If approved, New Jersey will forward the grant application to FEMA and the borough will be notified.
- The commissioners expanded on Resolution #2023-001 regarding the COVID relief funds. Following along the same path as the State of New Jersey, municipalities have passed similar resolutions requesting the state to funnel unused Federal COVID funds to the local municipalities and allowing them to offset the hardship of a projected 18 – 22% increase in employees’ health care premiums.
- The police department is still short one employee. Public works has one new hire budgeted for 2023 and the office is fully staffed.
- An application for a Local Recreation Grant ($100,000) will be completed by midmonth and will include a broad request for playground equipment, playground parking and recapping of bulkhead. While the borough may not receive the full grant, it is anticipated we will receive a portion.
We encourage you to listen to the audio from the meeting to have a better understanding of actual comments.
Happy New Year,
The CTWWW Advisory Council
Trish Sinnott – President
Mary Anne Welsh – Secretary
Jim Bannan – Director
Susan Czwalina – Treasurer
Vacant – Vice President
Vacant – Director
Vacant – Director
Vacant – Director