**** Borough Meeting Highlights 12-03-2021

21 Dec **** Borough Meeting Highlights 12-03-2021

Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,

The final monthly borough meeting of 2021 was held on Friday, December 3rd at 7:00 pm in Borough Hall. Approximately 15 people were in attendance. Mayor Ksiazek, Commissioners Banning and Segrest, Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick, Deputy Clerk Carl O’Hala and Solicitor Lyons were present.
• Ordinance #598 (2021) – second reading: Amending and supplementing Ordinance #421 pertaining to the enterprise zone development corporation of the Wildwoods.
Resolutions #2021-123 through #2021-124 relate to the following:
• Approving budget transfers for the calendar year 2021
• Cancellation of unappropriated capital balances
The commissioners each presented their reports, and they will 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:
• 85 work orders completed for the month of November.
• The purchase of a new dump truck was finalized, and it should be delivered in July, 2022.
• The department will operate with a three-man staff during the winter months and add a part-time or full-time seasonal employee during the summer.
• The mayor and his family’s electric business donated the repair and installation of new outlets along Glenwood Avenue’s telephone poles which allow the 30-year-old holiday lights to be operational. A thank you to Wildwood for the use of a bucket truck during this upgrade.
• A new air compressor was purchased. It replaces a significantly older machine.
• The street sweeper cost will be included in the 2022 budget.
• An initial meeting was held with the condominium association and some residents to discuss the flooding on J Avenue. The mayor assured everyone that this issue is on their radar and hopefully it can be resolved soon.
• The Poplar Avenue project will have the topcoat asphalt paving applied during the week of December 6th. The pipes were repaired, improvements to the sewer system were completed and infiltration leaks were repaired. Streets and sidewalks were elevated. The engineering firm will certify all work.

• The Borough is continuously working on infiltration and inflow problems with our sewer system.
• The Borough has bonded monies to make improvements to some of our problematic manholes. An initial review and evaluation have begun regarding areas of concerns.
• A springtime start is anticipated regarding the A Avenue project (repaving) and homeowners will be notified prior to its start.
• The Police and Tax Departments ADA ramp design has been completed. Construction will begin this spring.
• Future projects in the borough include the replacement of three municipally owned bulkheads: Taggart Park (next to the playground), the street end on the north side of Neptune Avenue and the street end on the south side of Lake Road and Veteran’s Park.
• A special thanks to the borough staff, public works department, police department, volunteer fire company and the Ladies Auxiliary for putting everything together for the holiday festivities.

Finance:

• Overall, 81% of the budget has been expended. This is below where we were at the end of November at 92%.  Some bills have not yet been received or paid.  Any excess or unused funds will be used to support the 2022 budget.  In 2020, a surplus of $300,000 was applied to the calendar year 2021.
• The borough received a sewer overage charge from the CMCMUA from 2021 in the amount of $76,612. This represents excessive leakage into the sewer system and may result in a sewer rate increase of approximately 20% for 2022.  The quarterly sewer bill could rise to $225/quarter.  It is currently set at $187.50/quarter.  The borough has identified five problematic manholes.  Smaller manhole covers will be installed to allow for regular inspection during high water events.  The goal is to identify and repair sewer intrusion and infiltration (I & I) prior to May 15^th as the actual sewer charges are based on flow from May 15^th through September.  COVID-19 and capital funds will be used to address this issue.
• Grant funds have been received to repair two outfall pipes located at the wooden bulkheads on Lake Avenue and Neptune Avenue. Commissioner Segrest has encouraged the commissioners prioritize these bulkhead replacements.
• At the recommendation of bond counsel, $1.4 million of old capital projects have been canceled. These funds were never expended and will be applied to the borough debt.

Police:

• Residents are reminded to keep vehicles locked, call the police department if you would like your property checked and there is a drop box for prescription medications in the lobby of the police department.

Public Comments included the following:

• A concern was raised with flooding on A Avenue and how the resurfacing will impact the street and nearby areas. The project will include surface repaving, sidewalks and curbs only.  There will be no infrastructure improvements.  Mayor Ksiazek promised to discuss homeowner’s concerns with the engineering firm.
• Approximately $54,000 of COVID-19 funds will be received 50% in 2021 and 50% in 2022. These funds will be used to repair infrastructure.  Grant applications are planned for 2022 to help with storm resiliency projects.
• A suggestion was made to use mobile camera in the manholes to help identify high flow locations.
• The holiday lights were complimented, and the mayor was thanked for his donation.
• An update was requested regarding the charges filed against a borough police officer. The employee has not been terminated.  The solicitor said this is a personnel matter and would not be discussed as the employee has not been notified.  It is an ongoing investigation by the Cape May County prosecutor’s office.
• Several applications were received for the borough administrator position. Interviews will be held during the next few weeks.
• The commissioners will discuss the possibility of virtual access to the borough monthly meetings for those who cannot attend.
• A request was made to place a barrel or marker at J and Pine Avenues to identify a dip in the road.
• Grant applications will be prepared in 2022 to help with resiliency projects on 26^th Street (Living Shoreline) and North Drive from approximately K&D Marina to the Public Works garage. The commissioners believe this would help create a flood perimeter around the island and may resolve some of the issues facing J Avenue.

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

Our sincerest apologies for not having the borough meeting highlights for the month of November as we were not available to attend.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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