22 Dec **** Borough Meeting Highlights 12-02-2022
Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,
The twelfth monthly borough meeting of 2022 was held on Friday, December 2nd at 7:00 pm in the borough hall. Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Segrest and Banning, Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala and Solicitor Lyons were present.
Bids were received by the borough for Information Technical Support Services (Barber Consulting Services) and Professional Engineering Services (Remington & Vernick). A decision has not been made regarding these bids and will be discussed at the December 27th workshop meeting.
Ordinance #605 (2022) – second reading and public hearing – replaces Ordinance #584 (2021) and updates the salary and compensation ranges for employees, elected officials and appointed officials in the Borough of West Wildwood.
Resolutions #2022-129 through #2022-132:
- Approving budget transfers for the 2022 calendar year.
- Authorizing the borough clerk to advertise on-line auction of surplus vehicles and equipment through GovDeals.com.
- Authorizing the borough clerk to advertise an abandoned vessel.
- Authorizing a closed-door executive session meeting to discuss a public safety issue.
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 through Borough Hall
PUBLIC WORKS:
- Two used vehicles were purchased from Wildwood Crest, an F-350 pick-up truck with a plow and a Ford dump body with a plow for $2,000 each. Wildwood Crest administration was thanked for helping a sister municipality. The borough is still waiting on the new truck ordered months ago.
- Atlantic City Electric worked with the borough to resolve a moisture problem with the wire connection at the pole on our electronic sign at the bridge. It is in working order now.
- The department is in the process of installing a new compressor on the flood pump at the end of Neptune Avenue.
- Public Works set up the holiday decorations, lights and prepared the new pavilion for the tree lighting ceremony. Shout out to all who helped including the City of Wildwood who lent the borough their lift truck.
- The Beautification Fund purchases include two new picnic tables for the pavilion made from recycled materials. These tables are similar to the benches purchased earlier this year. This is part of the Neptune Park redevelopment.
- A contractor was hired with Beautification funds to reinstall the memorial brick walk. New bricks are not currently being offered due to the inflationary cost of each. The borough is hoping to have the program reinstated.
- A request was made for volunteers to help with snow shoveling program. Information can be found on the borough website.
ENGINEERING NEWS:
- The parking plan proposal for the playground has been submitted. The plan should be presented at next month’s County Planning Board meeting.
- NJ DOT state aid appropriation of $187,075 was awarded to the borough.
- Investigating the possible elevation of West Pine Avenue approximately 4-6 inches. Currently waiting on pricing for this project.
- NJ DEP permit has been submitted for the bulkhead at the end of Lake Road. The borough should be notified in about a month if the permit is accepted. Project is set to begin in early spring and completed by summer.
- Poplar and G Avenues project has been submitted for final payment and final change order. Minor repairs will be completed, and project should be closed out by year-end.
- Work begins on the police building ramp on Monday morning.
- A meeting of J Avenue property owners is scheduled for Saturday, December 10th at 10:00 am. The goal is to resolve the flooding problem at the end of J Avenue. An update will be given at the January 2023 meeting.
- The borough hall roof project is delayed until next year.
- Chip, the representative from engineers Remington & Vernick, expressed to all the residents that the borough officials are “doing a great job”. Between state aid and USDA grants, the borough has benefitted from more the $3 million of funding in 2022. He indicated that for a small borough, “that’s a lot of money”.
FINANCE:
- The Maple Ave $2.3 bond will be introduced at the first meeting in February. The source of the funding will be 50% USDA grant and 50% from a low interest loan. The scope of the project will be similar to Poplar Avenue and will run from Neptune to Arion Avenue.
- Overall spending is at 74%. Even though there is a lag in payments, actual spending is running less than budget.
- Approval and close out of bills will occur at the year-end workshop meeting on December 27th.
- The second manhole project will begin shortly and will include manholes primarily on Glenwood Avenue, six on 26th Street and a few on Maple and Neptune Avenues.
- A pre-reallocation letter was received from CMCMUA (Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority) indicating a reduction in actual sewer flows vs forecast. The borough should expect to receive a $25,442 credit for 2022. There is still work to be done but this shows our first steps toward relief.
- Three FEMA grant proposals were submitted. Two submitted for the 26th Street Living Shoreline Stabilization Project: one as a BRIC grant and another as a flood mitigation program. Evaluations and scores differ, and contributions vary depending on the award. The proposal has a value of $2.6 million and the borough would have a 25% or 30% contribution towards it. A flood mitigation scoping study was also submitted and would provide flood resilience for the entire community.
- There are two Living Shoreline design options for breakwaters and the commissioner (Joe Segrest) offered pictures for review after the meeting. Prior to any work beginning, the borough must get easements from homeowners, Middle Township, NJ DEP and others.
PUBLIC SAFETY:
- Commissioner Banning requested residents park on Glenwood Avenue, not Neptune Avenue during construction projects.
- There were a variety of calls for service including one Megan’s Law registration, five general complaints, 15 medical assists and 235 property checks.
- Total calls for service were 381 during the month of November.
NOTES FROM THE MAYOR:
- Mayor Ksiazek indicated the December 2023 regular meeting may be scheduled to mid-week, rather than a Friday evening, so as not to coincide with holiday events at neighboring municipalities.
- The final 2022 workshop meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, December 27th @ 9:00 am in Borough Hall.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- The Ladies Auxiliary will host its annual Children’s Christmas Party on December 17th from 1-3 pm in Borough Hall. Santa will be there! The auxiliary has requested children pre-register so gifts, treats, arts and crafts and activities can be planned. The children’s party is open to full-time residents whose children attend local schools through grade 8.
- A resident questioned the status of the police department hiring. By month’s end, two graduates should complete the police academy. Hopefully, more recruits will complete the police academy training program and by summer, the West Wildwood Police Department will be fully staffed. The agreement with the Wildwood Police Department ends on December 31st.
- A resident asked about signing up for snow removal. The clerk indicated that each year you must sign up for service. Sign up can be done at borough hall.
- A resident reported the valve at K and Poplar Avenues is bad. The mayor will follow up with the county.
We encourage you to listen to the audio from the meeting to have a better understanding of actual comments which is available on our website.
We encourage you to listen to the audio from the meeting to have a better understanding of actual comments.
Happy holidays,
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