30 Sep Borough Meeting Highlights 09-03-2021
Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,
The ninth monthly borough meeting of 2021 was held on Friday, September 3rd at 7:00 pm via Zoom due to the Borough offices being exposed to COVID-19, thus prohibiting an in person monthly meeting. 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.
The CFO has provided a certification of determination award. An award to issue the $1,844,000 in bond anticipation notes. This is the capital improvement bond.
The borough also received notification of a permit issued for the reconstruction of bulkhead at 517 ½ W. Poplar Avenue.
● Ordinance #595 (2021) – second reading: Cleans up the language related to Affordable Housing requirements.
● Ordinance #596 (2021) – first reading: Amends Ord. #564 (2017) allowing for leashed dogs on the beach, playground and in public parks from November 1st thru April 30th.
● Ordinance #597 (2021) – first reading: Creates the position of Municipal Administrator. Although this position was previously filled, it was never formally established.
Resolutions #2021-101 through #2021-104 relate to the following:
● Establishing a Beautification Fund to spruce up common areas within the borough.
● Authorizes a 1-year renewal of shared services agreement with CMCMUA for solid waste disposal and recycling which is due to expire on 12/31/21.
● Authorizes change order #1, fiscal year 2020, for the USDA sanitary sewer project. Fiscal year 2018, NJDOT municipal aid program for the reconstruction of Poplar Avenue from Arion to J Avenue. Fiscal year 2019, NJDOT municipal aid program for the reconstruction of G Avenue from Poplar to Glenwood Avenues. This increases the contract by approximately $50,000 for unseen water conflicts and contract time extension.
The commissioners each presented their reports and they should be available in their entirety on the Borough website. If you would like a copy of any reports, please request it via our email below or you can OPRA it directly from Borough Hall.
Public Works:
● 94 work orders completed for the month of August.
● A full-time employee will be hired soon.
● Three infrastructure and road projects will begin after Labor Day.
● Living Shoreline Update: FEMA grants are available to recover previously expended soft costs related to the project. However, the cost to prepare a grant application is approximately $30,000 and funds must be in place so that we can be later reimbursed. The estimated cost to get through Phase II is approximately $100,000, some of which may be available for FEMA reimbursement. The Army Corps of Engineers released a draft report identifying funding available for New Jersey resiliency back bay studies. FEMA grants, Brick grants and flood mitigation assistance are potential sources of aid.
Engineering report from Remington & Vernick:
● Notice of a $185,000 award for A Avenue reconstruction which will begin shortly.
● Notice of a $160,000 award for Pine Avenue between R Avenue and Lake Road was received. Reconstruction will include sanitary sewers.
● The borough has applied for an $800,000 grant for Lake Avenue from R Avenue to the intersection of Maple and Venice Avenues. The project includes road reconstruction, improvements to the storm drainage system and the bulkhead outfall at Veteran’s Park.
● A USDA application for the replacement of sanitary sewers on Maple Avenue between Arion and Neptune Avenue. The application should be submitted by the end of September.
● Cape May County’s Open Space Grants will be researched to determine if the borough will apply to the program to help with enhancements to our parks.
● The reconstruction of Poplar and G Avenues will restart shortly. Certain manholes and piping will be corrected prior to the completion of the project.
● The ADA ramp at the police station must be completed before 12/31/21.
Finance:
● The official 2021 tax rate is $1.822. An increase of 3 cents over 2020. If your home is assessed at $150,000, your taxes will increase $45. An assessment of $400,000 will result in an increase of $120. The 3rd quarter tax bills were estimated; therefore, the 4th quarter bills will include any adjustment for all of the rate fluctuations.
● The NJ Local Services Finance Board approved the issuance of the bond to pay off the remainder of the Police Chief’s judgement.
● The borough plans to open the tax office on Fridays. A part time individual will be hired to staff the tax office.
Public Safety: Technical difficulties (inaudible)
Public comments were not recorded due to technical difficulties. These comments should be available from the Borough meeting minutes on their website soon.
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