**** Borough Meeting Highlights 06-02-2023

01 Aug **** Borough Meeting Highlights 06-02-2023

Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,

The seventh monthly borough meeting of 2023 was held on Friday, July 7th at 7:00 pm in the borough hall.  Approximately 10 people were in attendance.   Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Banning and Segrest, Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala and Solicitor Lyons were present.  Borough engineers and JIF representatives did not attend due to the island power outage.

The Clerk announced the following:

• The DEP sent notice regarding the dredging at 30 Lake Road.
• Comcast submitted a cable franchise renewal contract that expires in 2026 (previous contract was for 15 years). Fios is in the area, and it appears they are trying to get things moving quicker per the clerk.  The solicitor will review the document.

ORDINANCES:

• ORDINANCE #612 (2023) – second reading/public hearing – Amends the land use regulations of the Borough of West Wildwood as to streets and sidewalks. The BOWW Planning Board reviewed and agreed this is consistent with the borough’s master plan.
• ORDINANCE #613 (2023) – second reading/public hearing: Amends Ordinance #540 (2015) and established general traffic regulations in the Borough of West Wildwood in conformance with New Jersey Title 39.

RESOLUTIONS #2023-062 through #2023-068 relate to the following:

• Acknowledging the current roster of active firefighters and ladies’ auxiliary member of the West Wildwood Volunteer Fire Company.
• Supporting legislation S-3906 providing “Give It Back” property tax relief to every NJ town and county. If approved, the borough could receive approximately $174,000 towards debt relief.
• Insertion of UEZ Assistance Fund money in the amount of $12,626 for bike racks and trash receptacles.
• Insertion of UEZ Assistance Fund money in the amount of $89,292 for parking improvements at the playground.
• Authorizing change order #2 – final for the Police Department ADA ramp; an increase in the amount of $3,000, changing the contract amount from $176,950 to $179,950.
• Authorizing membership renewal in the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) for a contract period of 2024-2027. A presentation will be done during the workshop meeting.
• Resolution of the Borough of West Wildwood Commissioners calling for a moratorium on offshore development pending a thorough investigation into the unprecedented death of whales.
• 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.

ENGINEERING:

• Lake Road stormwater improvements are complete. Waiting for a tide flex valve to be delivered and installed.  The street will be milled and paved after the summer season.
• Lake Road bulkhead (10 feet remaining) will be completed shortly since the Verizon owned pole has been removed.
• The police department ADA ramp has been completed including foundation work and the placement of wood under the ramp.
• E Avenue manhole at the terminus will be resurfaced and regraded. An abandoned sanitary sewer line will be removed.
• J Avenue DOT proposal for bid design is being prepared.
• Maple Avenue (Neptune to Arion Avenues) – homeowners should receive a letter advising them of the project.
• Poplar and G Avenues – approximately $16,000 of unexpended grant funds remain and the borough is waiting on the USDA to approve use of these funds for additional manholes and cover.
• A Avenue DOT project has been completed and final drawdown has been disbursed as of July 5^th.
• The Neptune Avenue manhole rehab project bid is being prepared by the engineers.
• West Pine Avenue project is awaiting final DOT inspection which could take a few weeks.
• Municipal building roof will go out to bid once funds are bonded.
• Commissioner Segrest stated there was a particularly good downward trend with the sewer flow rate through June 3rd.  Overall, the flow rate is lower than last year.

PUBLIC WORKS:

• The sewer pump was impacted due to the power outage. The City of Wildwood assisted the borough with pumping services.  Emergency generators were brought in.
• A roof leak from the air conditioner unit in the police department was repaired. Carpet and sheetrock are being remediated.  Moisture and air quality tests have been done.
• Set up and clean-up for the 4^th of July parade.
• Assist the engineering firm with manhole cover inspections and sewer markups.
• Cleaning of the beach from two storms and seagrass.
• Maintenance of police vehicles.

FINANCE:

• Reports were not available due to the power outage and computers being down.

PUBLIC SAFETY (94 calls for service):

• Two arrests – one hit and run/drug arrest and trespassing arising from a domestic situation.
• Motor vehicle stops totaled seven during the month of June as well as five parking complaints/violations.
• Five animal complaints and 10 general complaints were noted.
• There were 15 medical assists/well-being checks and four property checks.
• Residents are reminded to lock up bicycles as they are frequently stolen in neighboring towns.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• A resident commented on the success and participation of children during the 4^th of July parade. The turnout was remarkably high.  The commissioners will discuss the possibility of hosting more events.  The clerk indicated there were more than 300 children registered this year!
• A resident suggested the electronic bridge sign should include reminders for nighttime bicyclists to use lights and reflectors. Also mentioned that the bicyclists need to follow the rules of traffic, not ride on sidewalks, cut in and out of traffic, etc.  Commissioner Banning will speak with the Police Chief regarding the sign.
• The original height of the Lake Road bulkhead was 14 inches too high. The bulkhead was lowered to 8 ½ feet.  Curb work and backfill need to be completed.
• A capital bond will be introduced to include the playground/parking improvements and possibly the borough roof.

We encourage you to listen to the audio from the meeting to have a better understanding of actual comments.

Best regards,
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