**** Borough Meeting Highlights 10-07-2022

31 Oct **** Borough Meeting Highlights 10-07-2022

Dear West Wildwood Neighbors.

The tenth monthly borough meeting of 2022 was held on Friday, October 7th at 7:00 pm in Borough Hall.  Approximately 40 people were in attendance.   Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Segrest and Banning, Administrator/Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala and Solicitor Lyons were present.

Notification from the NJ DEP was received regarding an application for a coastal zone management general permit and waterfront development of a single-family home or duplex, bulkheads, and floating docks at 666 West 26^th Street.

A bid was received for the solid waste and recycling pickup effective January 1, 2023, from Pineland Construction in the amount of $605,000 for a five-year contract.

Old business:  Resolution #2022-105 adopted on September 21, 2022 – affix a shared services agreement for temporary police services between the Borough of West Wildwood and the City of Wildwood through December 31, 2022.

Resolutions #2022-106 through #2022-115 relate to the following:

• Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day celebrated on October 6, 2022.
• Trick or Treat is scheduled for Monday, October 31^st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Approval to apply for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program grants from FEMA.
• Authorizing to apply for flood mitigation assistance (FMA) program grants from FEMA.
• Authorizing a designated disabled persons on-street parking space.
• Authorizing a shared services agreement with CMCMUA for solid waste disposal and recycling services.
• Adopt a cyber incident response plan as required by the borough insurance provider MEL/JIF.
• Amending title of Res. #2022-113 Authorizing the rejection of bids for Phase 2 of the manhole repairs due to cost and requesting the engineers to seek additional bids for the repair of approximately 20 manholes.
• Appointment of Ronald Harwood as local housing inspector for the borough.
• Authorizing the borough engineers to provide the NJDEP permit and soil boring services for bulkhead replacement and storm water improvements at Venice Avenue and Lake Road.

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:

• A leased, 4-wheel drive Chevy Silverado 2500 with a 9-foot plow package has been delivered and is in use.
• The flood siren is working on a noon time schedule.
• The new HVAC system was installed in the public works building.
• A sewer pump at 26^th Street failed during the recent flooding. The borough is waiting for proposals to be received for the replacement of the pump.
• The compressor on the Neptune Avenue flood pump will be replaced at a cost of approximately $5,000.
• Hurricane Ian was considered a “medium” storm. Borough streets were cleaned, and no major damage occurred on the island.
• The ADA ramp at the police station should begin in November.
• The Poplar Avenue project is not finished.

FINANCE:

• As of the end of September, the overall borough expenditures are at 63% of all accounts as compared to 75% point of the calendar year. This indicates we are tracking below budgeted amounts.
• The sewer flow rates have consistently decreased until September. This may be due to drought conditions and manhole repairs.  The October rates will be impacted by 3 days of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian.  Commissioner Segrest is optimistic the full year flow rates will be lower than the previous year.  You can view the latest flow rates on the borough website.

PUBLIC SAFETY:

• Total motor vehicle stops totaled 10 during the month as well as 16 parking complaints/violations.
• There were 10 medical assists in September and 8 general complaints.
• Fourteen property checks and 7 water leaks/wires/pole/tree down.
• Total calls for service were 154 during the month of September.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• A resident requested the commissioners allow unhitched boat trailers to park on the street after Labor Day. Concerns include uninsured trailers, fall storms and flooding.  The commissioners agreed to discuss this at the next workshop meeting on October 19^th.
• A resident reported that a military surplus vehicle was seen during the recent storm and created a wake. Commissioner Banning confirmed the vehicle was used by the police department and Chief Ferentz addressed the situation.
• A representative of the FOP NJ Labor Counsel voiced concerns that the night shift officer provided by the City of Wildwood is a Class II or special officer. The representative is concerned if this officer acted, the borough may be liable for their actions as a full-time officer must supervise Class II officers.  Solicitor Lyons and Commissioner Banning confirmed the current agreement for services includes supervision provided by the City of Wildwood Police Department.
• The commissioners and solicitor confirmed the borough’s policing agreement with the City of Wildwood is $55 per hour which includes the officer, use of Wildwood’s police vehicle, gas and administrative/supervision that covers the borough for liability.
• The bulkhead cap at Bay and Poplar Avenues was damaged during the recent storm and will be replaced. The bulkhead at Taggart Park will be replaced as well.  The living shoreline project could help protect this area.
• A BRIC grant application for the execution of the Living Shoreline design is underway. FEMA evaluates the application based on certain criteria and points are earned.  Historical data of flood damage is being gathered and will be submitted with the application.  The deadline is in November and the borough should be notified in about one year if it will receive grant funding from FEMA.  In addition to the possible grants, the flood insurance rates for the town should improve as a community rating level is established.
• The dredging project is slow moving. The mayor will attend a meeting with the NJ DOT in November.  The beach area and the mouth of the canal will be dredged, but it will not happen for about three years.
• Leaking bulkheads contribute significantly to the damages seen during storms. A new bulkhead ordinance was recently passed, and waterfront taxpayers will be notified of inspections and a survey of bulkhead heights in the near future.  The borough needs permission from each taxpayer to gain access to their property to review their bulkhead.  The ordinance indicates that the taxpayer has six years to come into compliance with the 8.5 feet requirement.  If there is considerable damage and repairs are needed to a bulkhead, the borough can act on it immediately.
• A meeting with the Holly Bay condominium association, J Avenue property owner and representatives from the borough, including the engineer, will be facilitated to discuss improvements (bulkhead, elevation, landscaping) to reduce the amount of water flooding the area. These properties are part of the tidal control perimeter (along old railroad line) and must meet the 8.5 feet elevation requirements per ordinance.
• Trash contractor bid proposals include references.
• Storm debris will be picked up by the public works department.
• Free bulk trash collection is scheduled for October 24th. No construction materials are permitted and there is a limit of five household items per household.  Toilets are NOT considered household items.
• Clean Communities Day is October 29^th from 10 AM to 12 PM. Meet at Borough Hall.
• Community Shred Day is November 12^th from 9 AM to 12 PM at Borough Hall.
• Maple Avenue, between Arion and Neptune Avenues, will be redeveloped including sidewalks, curbs, storm sewers and paving, similar to the Poplar Avenue project. Ordinances will be introduced early next year to begin the process.
• The north end of J Avenue is scheduled for reconstruction and paving in 2023 to tie in with Poplar Avenue.
• The commissioners would like to video inspect all the sewers to determine what borough roadways need full reconstruction vs resurfacing etc.
• The NJ State Health Benefits Program will increase their premiums approximately 20% for 2023.
• Commissioner Banning would not comment on the number of actual police officers. He stated they tried to cover the manpower shortfall with overtime, but with the most recent departure, it was no longer feasible.  It was suggested the chief and sergeant begin patrolling and the commissioner reported that the sergeant patrols and the chief has helped in the past.  When hiring new officers, they will be asked to commit to the Borough of West Wildwood Police Department for two years.
• Commissioner Banning further addressed the concerns regarding the police department and staffing. There are currently officers attending the police academy and upon graduating, the borough will have fully certified, not Class II, employees.  There are two sets of graduates: one coming out of the academy in December and another in February 2023.  We should have a complete department by March.  The staffing issue is a national problem, not just local.

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

See you 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