12 Apr Borough Meeting Highlights 04-01-2021
Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,
The fourth monthly borough meeting of 2021 was held on Thursday, April 1st at 7:00 pm via Zoom and approximately 15 individuals attended. Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Banning and Segrest, Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala and Solicitor Lyons were present.
A series of ordinances and resolutions were announced. Some ordinances dealt with the Fair Share Housing Agreement. Ordinance #591(2021) prohibits the operations of cannabis businesses in the borough. A full list will be available on the BOWW’s website.
Resolutions were renumbered beginning with resolution #2021-056 for a closed session during the workshop meeting on March 30th. This resolution was in regards to case #CPM-L-797-08 or the Ferentz lawsuit. Resolution #2021-058 is an application for a permit with the county for the borough July 4th parade. Resolution #2021-059 is the establishment of a town-wide yard sale to be on June 5th with a rain date of June 6th. Resolution #2021-062 was a change in the borough workshop meeting dates to allow additional time needed to prepare for the regular meetings. These new dates are posted on the borough website. A few other resolutions were passed and can be reviewed via our audio on the CTWWW website.
The reading of the 2021 budget was introduced and the public hearing is scheduled for May 7th. During the May meeting, public questions and/or comments will be heard. The Borough CFO and the Borough auditor will be in attendance as well.
The commissioners provided department reports and are available for your information on the borough website.
Mayor Ksiazek reported on public works activity.
Commissioner Banning (Public Safety) reported on a fire on Lake Avenue. The occupant was removed from the home without injury. The fire is under investigation. The police activity report includes other monthly activity such as house checks and a DUI on Venice Avenue.
Commissioner Segrest (Revenue and Finance) summarized the 2021 budget as follows:
• Borough revenues will be approximately $180,000 lower and expenditures will be cut by approximately $30,000. The net impact is a $150,000 shortfall that will cause the municipal services tax (borough) to be raised by approximately 6 cents per Commissioner Segrest.
• The school tax is expected to be reduced by $90,000 or approximately 4 ½ cents for the 7/1/21-6/30/22 school year. This decrease will help offset some of the increase in the borough taxes. Please note that this offset has been done in years past.
• Cape May County’s tax rate is expected to increase by 1 cent.
• A 3-year capital plan was discussed and includes completion of the ADA ramp at the police station and A Avenue paving. The A Avenue project has a $185,000 grant which must be in use by September, 2021. There is also a project on Pine Avenue with a grant in the amount of $160,000 which must be in use by September, 2022.
Public comments included the following:
• Work continues on the Living Shoreline Project. It is thought that 15% more work is needed by the consultants. A meeting will be held with the consultants on April 21st to discuss completion of their work and hopefully funding options will then be sought out.
• There will be no change in the sewer fee ($187.50 per quarter) for 2021. It was noted that the storm on February 1st and 2nd caused a significant amount of sewer flow (700,000 gallons). An engineer will be evaluating how to stem the flow and manhole projects.
• The borough is expected to receive approximately $54,000 from the State of NJ for COVID-19 related funding. At this time details are not available as to how the funds can be specifically applied.
• An army surplus 6-ton high-water vehicle was purchased from Wildwood for $1.00. This will replace a similar aging vehicle owned by borough.
• Commissioner Banning stated it was the responsibility of the commissioners to continuously evaluate and assess all options including the consolidation of services.
We urge you to listen to the audio from the meeting to have a better understanding of actual comments which is available on our website.
Sincerely,
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