**** Borough Meeting Highlights 3-04-2022

**** Borough Meeting Highlights 3-04-2022

Dear West Wildwood Neighbors,

The third monthly borough meeting of 2022 was held on Friday, March 4th 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 and Solicitor Lyons were present.

The Borough received notice from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of a correction in expiration date for an improved waterfront development permit.  The Borough also received notice the issuance of a waterfront development permit for construction of a fixed pier, ramp, floating docks and two boat lifts for the property located at 7 Bay Avenue.

Ordinance #599 (2022) – second reading:  Amending the Land Use Regulations of the Borough of West Wildwood.  The planning board supports this ordinance as set forth.

Ordinance #601 (2022) – first reading:  Exceed municipal budget appropriation limit and establish a Cap Bank.

Resolutions #2022-017 through 2022-020 (workshop meeting on February 16, 2022) relate to the following:

  • Approving a contract for appraisal services for 623 W. Poplar Avenue – homeowner is contesting their assessment.
  • Appointing Cornelius Maxwell to the West Wildwood Planning Board.
  • Authorizing the appointment of one full-time police officer and one Class II officer to the West Wildwood Police Department.

Resolutions #2022-021 through 2022-032 relate to the following:

  • Budget related resolutions and authorizing the reading of the 2022 budget.
  • Awarding a contract to Standard Pipe Services, LLC for five manhole rehabs and infiltration control in the amount of $46,000.
  • General Obligation Bond, not to exceed $983,000, providing for the sale to USDA Rural Development.
  • Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) funds for the following:
    • Security Cameras System Project to allow residents to monitor storm conditions.
    • Exterior informational sign at Borough Hall similar to the bridge electronic sign.
    • Street Light Replacement Project – Glenwood Avenue streetlights changeover to LED resulting in energy and maintenance savings. UEZ will purchase the lights and AC Electric will do the installation for free.
    • Bike Racks and Trash Receptacles Project.
  • Application to NJ Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for enterprise zone assistance funds for administration of the urban enterprise program.

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 report, please request it via our email address below or OPRA it directly from Borough Hall.

Public Works (76 work orders):

  • In conjunction with a few non-profit foundations and plastics recycling companies a spring community cleanup day is scheduled for Friday, May 20th from 9:00 am until 12:30 pm (details are subject to change – please see the Borough website for updates. It will include the entire borough and waterways.  The project will end at B&E Marina.  Educational information along with food and beverages will be provided at the completion.  Sponsors will donate flower planters, trash cans and benches made from recycled plastics.
  • A pavilion will replace the gazebo at Neptune Park.
  • The Neptune Avenue flood pump was repaired.
  • The snowplow was repaired is now operational.
  • The street sweeper will be repaired upon passage of the budget in April. A street sweeping schedule will be posted on the Borough website.  On your scheduled date, please move your vehicles, if possible, to facilitate the process with ease.
  • The condominium association will install a new concrete curb which should help with the nuisance flooding on J Avenue sometime within the next two weeks.
  • Avenue A repaving project will begin on March 8th.
  • Working on securing a video camera to monitor sanitary sewer lines on Pine Avenue. Looking to contact the CMCMUA about using their cameras at a reduced cost.
  • A USDA grant was submitted for Lake Road on March 1st.
  • Finalizing the Poplar and G Avenues project to pay off the loan.
  • There is no current information regarding the Police Department ADA ramp now.
  • The roof on the Borough Hall may be repaired rather than replaced.

Finance:

  • The borough tax rate for 2022 will be the same as 2021.
  • Additional spending in 2022 is being off-set by additional taxes due to new construction.
  • A $426,000 surplus was available from 2021. The 2022 budget will utilize $310,000 of the surplus.  The balance of $116,000 will be set aside.
  • The 2022 budget will include the cost of new police radios, lease a police vehicle, lease of a pick-up truck, furnace for the public works building, upgrades to the park, grants and acquisitions for storm resilience projects, computer server replacements, additional staffing and salary increases.
  • Cancellation of old capital projects have allowed the borough to reduce its debt service.
  • Focus in 2022 will include repairs to our sewer system, completing capital construction projects currently funded, storm resiliency projects and improvement to public areas.
  • Patricia Cullen is a new hire who is supporting the borough’s tax collection services.

Police (248 calls for service):

  • Two notable calls for burglary/theft, no forced entry. One on West Pine Avenue and the other on K Avenue.
  • There were 75 property checks in February.
  • Residents are welcomed to sign up for property checks on the Borough website.
  • Prescription drugs can be safely disposed via a drop box in the lobby of the police department.

Public Comments:

  • Concerns were raised regarding the building lot at 504 West Maple Avenue. The lot is zoned residential; however, commercial supplies are being stored on the lot.  Commissioner Banning will follow up with the Wildwood Construction Office official to determine the best way to enforce the zoning.
  • The feasibility study on the police department has not been completed. Several residents expressed their concern if the Borough’s Police Department did merge with another municipality. Commissioner Banning promised that police services will never be reduced and if a merger does occur there would be tax savings.  He also expressed the difficulty of hiring and retaining good police officers.
  • The cost to replace the police radios is budgeted at $50,000. It is necessary to upgrade since Wildwood is switching over to the higher frequency radios.  We have a shared service agreement with Wildwood for police dispatch.
  • A suggestion to bill sewer services on a hybrid system was made. A portion of the bill would be fixed to cover infrastructure and the other portion would be based on actual water usage.  Commissioner Segrest said 90% of the sewer overage is based on leakage and until this problem is resolved or controlled, the sewer bill will not change.  In addition, the administrative cost to bill based on actual usage could outweigh the savings.
  • Data from the CMCMUA will allow the borough to monitor sewer manhole repairs to determine if they are successful.
  • BRIC grants and acquisition of a property on 26th Street would give the Borough more control over how the storm resiliency plan would be implemented. Neighboring communities plan to use dredging materials to create Geo-tube barriers.
  • The county and school tax rates are expected to stay the same.

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.

Stay safe as always,
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



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