**** Borough Meeting Highlights 09-01-2023

01 Nov **** Borough Meeting Highlights 09-01-2023

Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,

The ninth monthly borough meeting of 2023 was held on Friday, September 1st at 7:00 pm in the borough hall.  Approximately 15 people were in attendance.   Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Banning and Segrest, Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala, solicitor substitute and the borough engineers were present.

The borough received notification of permits for planned maintenance dredging in the local state waterways.

A notification from the City of Wildwood repealing and reinstating an amendment for certain sections of Chapter 17 of their land development of the Wildwood code.

ORDINANCE #614 (2023) – second reading/public hearing – Adoption of a memorial brick program.

RESOLUTIONS #2023-075 through #2023-076 relate to the following:

• Authorizing borough engineers to proceed with engineering design and construction services related to three manholes at the south end of Neptune Avenue.
• Authorizing the borough to enter into a contract with Delta Dental of New Jersey for employee dental insurance.

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:

• Very close to finalizing several projects including Pine Avenue (to be inspected 09/09/23) and the police department ADA ramp (9/30/23).
• The manhole covers were received. These were purchased with the remaining Poplar Avenue funds.
• The restoration of Venice Avenue Park will be discussed at the September 20^th workshop meeting. Work will begin shortly.
• A representative from a roofing company will come on September 21^st to discuss a liquid roof patch and guarantees.
• An air conditioning contractor will discuss options for air conditioner units and wiring.

PUBLIC WORKS (76 work orders):

• Maintenance of public works and police vehicles and public works equipment.
• Inspect flood gates and sewer pumping station.
• Inspect borough parks and streets.
• Pick up bulk trash and yard waste.
• Empty trash, recycling, and dog stations waste containers.
• Cut grass and sweep borough streets.
• Clear catch basins of debris and trash.
• Paint yellow curbs and handicap parking zones.
• Level rooftop air conditioner unit to follow up on leakage problem above the police department.
• Install new battery for door alarm at police department.

FINANCE:

• The average of all operating accounts stands at 55% expended to date as compared to 67% of the year complete (8 months).
• Commissioner Segrest stated there was an unexplained high level of flow between 7/09 – 7/23/23. He is working with the Cape May County MUA to explain the 3 million gallons of excess flow (which is HUGE). This will have a negative impact on savings and change the direction and trend as reported during the August meeting.

Planning for sewer utility projects include the following:

• Three manholes at Neptune Avenue.
• Repairs and upgrades on 26^th Street pumping station.
• Design phase for the USDA Maple Avenue (Arion to Neptune Avenues)

Fair Housing Program update: Notice will be mailed during September to all full-time residents explaining the program.  The borough is looking for qualified candidates and is committed to rehabbing three homes over the five-year period of the agreement with the Fair Housing Administration.  We are currently three years into the agreement.

The Flood Mitigation Study and Living Shoreline Project were identified for further review including cost effectiveness and feasibility by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  FEMA would cover 75% of the cost while the borough would contribute 25%.

PUBLIC SAFETY (293 calls for service):

• Motor vehicle stops totaled 24 during the month of August as well as 39 parking complaints/violations.
• Four animal complaints and three general complaints were noted.
• There were 20 medical assists/well-being checks and 98 property checks.
• Three bicycle thefts, seven suspicious vehicles/persons/intoxicated and two trespassing complaints.
• One warrant from Camden County resulted in one arrest.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• A resident questioned the difference between the sewer inflow and outflow rates. Commissioner Segrest indicated in prior years (before patching the repair program began) it was 10 to 1.  The borough is looking to close out the Poplar Avenue project and have surplus sewer funds to do additional repairs in early 2024.
• Phase 1 of the dredging project for West Wildwood will include state waters from the railroad trestle to the mouth of the Poplar Avenue canal (approximate area from the beach to the playground) and from the railroad bridge in Post Creek, on the south side of the island, to the Route 47 bridge.
• A resident questioned the zoning of 601 Poplar Avenue. Activity and equipment (barge and crane) indicate a commercial business operating from the property. The mayor indicated it is zoned residential.   The new street ordinance may address some of the concerns.  Commissioner Banning will discuss the situation with the solicitor.
• Parking of enclosed trailers vs open trailers was clarified. A contractor may leave their enclosed work trailer on the street if they secure a dumpster permit.
• Yellow curbs and newly approved handicapped curbs are being painted. Off-season maintenance will include repainting previously approved handicapped curbs.
• Clean Community Day is planned for October 21^st from 10-12. Participants should meet at borough hall.
• A correction will be made when parking tickets are issued requiring the recipient to appear in court if pleading guilty.
• The amount of delinquent taxes varies throughout the year due to tax certificate sales. The borough holds a few liens and has begun foreclosure procedures to encourage collections.
• The dredging material will be hauled to two sites and dewatered: the old Wildwood landfill and behind the Acme on 26^th It will be a 24-hour operation that should go quickly at a rate of approximately 100 feet per day.
• Mayor Ksiazek recognized Commissioner Segrest’s efforts related to the recent announcement of the Flood Mitigation and Living Shoreline projects. In addition, his work on the sewer utility flows is appreciated.

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