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News & Upcoming Local Events Calendar is subject to change. Events are current at the time of posting; please visit their corresponding websites for the most up-to-date information, changes or cancellations.
NOTICE:
Due to rapidly changing schedules due to health concerns over COVID-19,
our full events calendar has been temporarily removed. Please visit
some local sites for up to date information:
Reconstruction of 69th Street, Sunrise Drive, 7th Avenue
Stone Harbor's Real Estate Market Soars
Help Keep Our Beaches Clean! Register for Clean Ocean
Action's Fall Beach Sweep
Native Vegetation Returns to Avalon Dunes
Important Safety Message For Homes That Have Golf Carts/Low
Speed Vehicles
Stone Harbor Home Values Continue to Rise
Indoor Dining, Movie Theaters to Return
Stone Harbor Explores Court Consolidation
Stone Harbor Public Works Department Update
Avalon's 8th Street Jetty Reconstruction Project
New Jersey to Enter Stage II of Restart and Recovery on June
15th
As part of his restart and recovery plan, "The Road Back: Restoring
Economic Health Through Public Health," Governor Phil Murphy announced
that New Jersey will enter Stage Two on June 15, 2020. Guided by strict
protocols from the New Jersey Department of Health, as well as input
from the Governor's Restart and Recovery Commission and complementary
Advisory Councils, Stage Two will include outdoor dining for restaurants
and indoor, non-essential retail as of June 15th. Beginning on June
22nd, barber shops and salons will be able to reopen. In the period to
follow, New Jersey will work toward the gradual opening of personal
care, gyms, and health clubs, at reduced capacities as the stage
progresses. All of these activities will be allowed pursuant to strict
health and safety guidelines that will be issued in the coming days. New
Jersey ended maximum restrictions and moved to Stage One on May 18,
2020.
Stone Harbor to Allow Outdoor Retail Sales for Non-Essential
Businesses Starting June 3rd
At their June 2nd meeting, Stone Harbor Borough Council approved a
resolution that will allow temporary, outdoor retail sales for
non-essential businesses starting June 3rd. These outdoor sales may
occur daily 9 am - 9 pm from June 3 through June 14. Indoor retail sales
can resume on June 15th. This action provides much needed relief to
non-essential businesses who were unable to open their businesses to the
public during the recent crisis.
Avalon Creates Program for Outdoor Dining/Retail for 2020 Summer
Season
Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi has signed municipal Executive Order
2020-09 that permits an expansion of outdoor dining, and outdoor retail,
for the 2020 season. These opportunities are provided to merchants as a
way to help recover from the restrictions created by the pandemic and
various subsequent state executive orders. This executive order allows
both retail businesses and restaurants to use, when possible and
practical, private property adjacent to their deeded business and the
public Right of Way (essentially, Borough sidewalk) for outdoor retail
and outdoor dining. The process requires an application to be made to
the Zoning Officer that includes the insurance certificate that is
required by the order.
A Message from the Department of Public Works
The Stone Harbor Department of Public Works is asking for the patience
of homeowners, residents and visitors as they begin the task of safely
opening the town for the summer season. Please understand that the
consequences of COVID-19 have resulted in a severe decrease of available
DPW staff. Additionally, the Borough is tasked with following rigorous
safety protocols instituted by the State of New Jersey, to ensure the
health and wellness of the public as we begin to restore services in
full.
Borough Hall to Re-Open For Appointments Only
After careful consideration, Stone Harbor has opened its doors to the
public beginning Monday, June 1. Visitation will be by appointment only.
In order to ensure the public health and safety of all visitors and
employees, conditions will apply.
Stone Harbor Tennis and Pickleball Courts to Re-Open with
Restrictions
Pickleball & Tennis Facilities at 82nd & 97th Street partially reopened
June 1st, 2020. The partial opening measures comply with current State
and Borough social distancing practices. They will operate on a
reservation only basis and ask that you do not show up without a
reservation to ensure no more than 25 individuals will be at the
facility at any given time. At 82nd Street, both Pickleball & the hard
tennis courts will operate at 50% capacity (Every other court). Har-Tru
will not be available at this time. At 97th Street, the same policy will
be followed for the synthetic turf tennis courts.
Avalon Partially Open Pickleball, Tennis Operations
Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi has amended his executive order regulating
access to public facilities to include a limited opening of the
Borough's popular pickleball and tennis courts. The amendment to the
order took effect Monday, June 1st. Facilities at both 8th Street and
39th Street will partially reopen per the Mayor's directive. The partial
opening measures comply with current State and Borough social distancing
practices. The new policy will permit both facilities to open with
separation of one vacant court between courts that will open. At 39th
Street, both hard and soft courts are established in banks of three
courts per area. The courts in the middle of each bank will remain
closed for social distancing separation. At no time will more than 25
individuals be playing on the courts. At 8th Street, the same policy
will be followed for tennis courts. And, five pickleball courts will be
available while five will remain closed for player separation.
Notice of Meeting Change Avalon Borough Council
The Borough Council of the Borough of Avalon will not be holding the
scheduled Work Sessions and Regular Meetings of June 10th and June 24th
in the regularly scheduled manner. Said public meetings will be held via
telephone conference call, as allowed by A-3850. Any interested member
of the public may join the conference call.
Avalon Wants Faster Internet, Seeks Provider
Borough Council approved initiating a new bid process for
telecommunication providers who want to place a small cell network
antenna on a borough-owned tower. The result of the placement would be
an increased capacity for data transmission in the business district and
surrounding streets. The move to lease the space began when Verizon
approached the borough earlier this year, asking to place antennas on
the municipal radio tower, located next to Borough Hall. A necessary
change in technical specifications led to a new bid process.
Temporary Road Closure on Avalon Boulevard
Temporary lane closures along portions of Avalon Boulevard continue this
week as construction crews perform temporary and permanent patch work
along the Ingram's and Leonard's thorofare bridges. The lane closures
will occur from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through June 4th. Both lanes of the
roadway will be reopened at the end of the day.
Notice of Night Closures for 96th Street Bridge
The 96th Street Bridge along Stone Harbor Boulevard leading into the
Borough of Stone Harbor will be undergoing emergency repairs to the
bascule span (movable span) during nighttime hours beginning on Monday,
June 8. Work will proceed Monday through Thursday nights between 8:00 pm
to 6:00 am. Due to the nature of the work, the bridge cannot remain open
as work proceeds. Thru traffic wishing to access Stone Harbor via Stone
Harbor Boulevard will be detoured during these work times with access to
Stone Harbor directed to Avalon Boulevard. Local traffic wishing to
access businesses and residences up to the west side of the bridge will
be permitted to proceed along Stone Harbor Boulevard. The bridge will
re-open at 6:00 am each workday and remain opened until 8:00 pm that
night. There are no anticipated closures on Fridays through Sundays
during the construction phase. The contractor anticipates that the
emergency work will be completed by June 25 barring any unforeseen
complications.
It's Terrapin Nesting Season!
Mothers and hatchlings are active on the roads now, or will be soon, so
take extra care when driving. If you do encounter adults or hatchlings,
it's best to leave them where they are unless they're in immediate
danger (on the road, for example). If you have to move one from the
road, move it in the direction it's crossing if it's safe to do so -
never put yourself in harm's way. And remember, never take any wild
turtle as a pet or move one to a different location.
Short Term Rentals to Commence Immediately
Avalon, NJ - Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi announced that he is amending
his executive order that regulates short term rentals per a resolution
approved by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders on Tuesday,
May 26th. Short term rentals were previously allowable on Monday, June
1st; they now can begin immediately. Long term, seasonal rentals were
allowable as of May 11, 2020.
Special Memorial Day Video
Memorial Day events hosted by American Legion Post #331 and the Borough
usually begin the summer season in Avalon. Sadly, this year due to
social distancing regulations, the parade and the ensuing ceremony could
not happen. Avalon paid tribute to the brave men and women who made the
ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today, and to our Legion
members with whom we proudly stand shoulder to shoulder to support with
a very special tribute video. This video captures what Memorial Day is
really about in Avalon, and throughout the United States. We are honored
to feature several of the veterans who live on the 7 Mile Beach from
Post #331.
Gov. Murphy Increases Number Of People For Outdoor Gatherings In
New Jersey To 25
Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced that he is signing an executive
order that increases the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings
from 10 to 25, but with strict social distancing guidelines still in
place. Murphy said the new directive on outdoor gatherings does not
include dining. He also made it clear the 10-person limit for indoor
gatherings remains unchanged. The governor added recreational
campgrounds, both public and private, are open effective immediately.
Temporary Lane Closures on Avalon Boulevard
Beginning this week, there will be a temporary lane closure along
portions of Avalon Boulevard (C.R. 601) as construction crews perform
permanent patching of deck spalls located along the Graven's, Ingram's
and Leonard's Thorofare bridges. The lane closures will occur on May
28th, June 1st and June 2nd.
Avalon Volunteer Fire Department T-Shirts
The 2020 AVFD collector's t-shirt is available NOW for sale at the fire
station. Stop by to get yours. (Station is manned after 7pm, curbside
sales only). Adult sizes $20; Kids shirts $15. Stone Harbor To Allow Full Access to Beaches, With Some Restrictions, for Memorial Day Weekend
The Borough of Stone Harbor is pleased to announce that on Friday, May
22nd their beaches will be open for the enjoyment of all residents and
visitors. Stone Harbor beaches will be open for passive and active
purposes, which now includes the use of beach chairs and blankets.
However, due to Governor Murphy's recent executive order, organized
games, contact sports, sports camps, and special events are prohibited
on the beach. Additionally, included in the new guidelines from the
Governor are the requirements of capacity management and social
distancing. Protocols for capacity management are currently under review
and are forthcoming. Residents and visitors will be trusted to adhere to
the same social distancing practices that are already in place in all
aspects of our lives. The Borough asks that you follow any direction
provided as it remains necessary to protect everyone's health and
safety. Updated Avalon Information-Facilities, Beaches, Boardwalk, Event Cancellations, Rescheduled Services, Meetings, Payments, and More!
Starting Friday, May 22nd, passive recreation including beach chairs,
blankets, and sunbathing is permissible. Starting Friday, May 22nd
lifeguards will be on duty for the summer. The Avalon Beach Tag Booth
remains closed until further notice. No beach tags will be required on
Avalon's beaches until Friday, July 3rd. Preseason beach tag rates are
effective until June 30th, 2020; the preseason rate is $25. Social
distancing is both required and mandated this summer on the Avalon
beaches by gubernatorial and mayoral executive orders. Families who come
to the beach should remain at least six feet apart from other blankets
and chairs. Face masks are strongly encouraged this summer. Avalon
Police will be patrolling the beaches to encourage social distancing
among guests. Avalon Beach Ambassadors to Help With Social Distancing, Beach Tag Policies Memorial Day Weekend
It's hard to keep up with the new rules and regulations in the State of
New Jersey this season. Avalon will have beach ambassadors at select
beach paths during Memorial Day weekend to help spread the information
about their beaches. The ambassadors will be handing out two-sided post
cards at select beach paths to spread the message. One side discusses
the requirements for social distancing on the beach, and the strong
recommendation for face masks. The other side discusses beach tag
policies. Seasonal Beach Tags
Seasonal beach tags are available via mail, smartphone app or in person
at some locations. Charter Boat Fishing, Watercraft Rentals Now Both Permissible in New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 146, which allows
charter fishing services and for-hire vessel activities, as well as
watercraft rental businesses, to open May 17th, with required social
distancing measures. New Executive Order Allows Curbside Pick-Up for Non-Essential Retail, Allows Non-Essential Construction
As part of New Jersey's Road Back, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive
Order No. 142, permitting the resumption of non-essential construction,
curbside pickup at non-essential retail businesses, and car gatherings
for the purpose of drive-through and drive-in events. The construction
and non-essential retail provisions took effect at 6:00 a.m. on Monday,
May 18, while the car gatherings provision took effect last week. Avalon, Be Counted! 2020 Census
The Census 2020 effort is underway, and Avalon, they want you to be
counted! If you are a resident or property owner in Avalon, there are
many benefits to being counted in the United States Census. They
understand there are so many other matters to consider these days, but
be sure you fill out your census form, it takes only a few minutes! New Code Red System Provides Subscribers Direct Access to Weather Alerts
The Borough of Stone Harbor's Code Red Emergency Notification System has
been updated, and the new improvement allows residents and visitors to
sign up to receive weather alerts directly from the National Weather
Service. When severe weather strikes, seconds can make a difference in
how people prepare and respond. These automatic notifications deliver
another layer of preparedness and protection in an extreme weather
situation. Weather warnings are launched moments after a bulletin is
issued by the National Weather Service directly to the public. Ultimate Bucket List For New Jerseyans Who Are Obsessed With Nature
If you love nature, you're in luck - New Jersey has plenty to enjoy.
Here is a bucket list full of fun, outdoor activities that every Garden
Stater should try. In addition to the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, there
are other local sites and many statewide, so feel free to pick and
choose what works best for you! There's something for everyone, from the
avid hiker to the casual kayaker, to the person who adores nature…from a
distance. Cash Toll Collection Resumes On The GSP
After nearly two months, cash toll collection returned to the Garden
State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike this week. The New Jersey
Turnpike Authority announced in late March that cash toll payment would
be temporarily suspended to reduce the spread of coronavirus. While
there was no change for E-ZPass users, those without transponders
received a bill in the mail.
May 11th: Mayor's Letter Regarding Second
Homeowners, Outside Retail/Dining
Avalon continues to provide best practices and guidance as they navigate
through executive orders that come from the Governor's office. There is
no travel ban on New Jersey roadways, and individuals may come to their
second home in Avalon. Follow strict social distancing guidelines/safety
practices and understand that for now, many of the amenities and
businesses are not yet open. Additionally, the Borough has recently
received guidance from their insurance carrier on how to legally and
safely permit outside dining and retail this summer adjacent to
businesses.
May 8th: Letter from Mayor Pagliughi / Short Term, Transient
Rental Policy
The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved a resolution
that establishes an allowable schedule of seasonal and short term
rentals in our County. It is up to each individual community to adopt,
reject, or modify the suggested schedule for these rentals. Seasonal
rentals may begin as early as May 11th. The schedule also allows both
transient rentals of less than 30 days, and hotel/motel rentals of a
maximum occupancy of 60%, to begin on June 1st, and full motel/hotel
occupancy allowable on June 22nd.
Stone Harbor Adopts 2 Bond Ordinances
The Stone Harbor Borough Council adopted two bond ordinances, totaling
$14.6 million. The general-purpose bond ordinance, for $10.3 million,
includes funding to improve storm water drainage facilities, new heavy
equipment for the Public Works Department, road work in various borough
locations, and $4.1 million for a new Beach Patrol building and public
restroom facilities, at 95th Street and the beach, along with street
work, parking, signage and other external improvements incidental to the
new structures. The second bond ordinance, for $4.4 million, is directed
at various water and sewer system improvements, including infrastructure
repairs and water meter upgrades.
Avalon Beach Tags
A letter from Mayor Pagliughi regarding beach tags and procedures:
Stone Harbor Beach Tags
Information on the extension of pre-season pricing:
Cape May County-Wide Recovery Initiative
The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders created a Business
Recovery Task Force, Co-Chaired by Freeholder Vice-Director Len
Desiderio and Freeholder Will Morey. Over a dozen members of the
business community volunteered their time and talents and all sixteen of
Cape May County's Mayors were made a part of what has become the Cape
May County-Wide Recovery Initiative. The Recovery Initiative, in
consultation with health care professionals and with respect for the
orders and directives of the Governor, crafted a proposal that is
focused on four main topics for the Governor's consideration. Social Distance Ambassadors
Cape May County Department of Health is proud to announce their social
distance campaign, Six Feet Saves. Six Feet Saves is an educational
campaign whereby Social Distance Ambassadors will be monitoring high
volume areas, such as boardwalks, to remind individuals to keep their
six feet, and to give educational materials on how to prevent being
exposed.
Let's Give The Birds A Big Hand
At some point in your day, stop for a moment. If you can, open a window
or step outside. Do you feel it? There's a change in the air. It carries
the breath of spring and the promise of warm, sunny days, evening light,
and renewal. There's something else, though, and for many it fills the
air with a sense of electric anticipation: Spring migration is almost
upon us. Birders everywhere are gearing up for one of nature's great
spectacles as millions of migratory birds set off on their epic journeys
– a flood of birds bound for points north. And when this feathered wave
breaks, there's no better place to be than right where we are. Stone Harbor and Avalon to Provide Limited Beach Access Starting Friday, May 8th A letter from Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi
and Stone Harbor Mayor Judith Davies Dunhour announced there will be
access to 7 Mile Beach for walking, running, fishing and surfing, from
dawn to dusk. There will be no stationary activity on the beach for the
time being (chairs, blankets, etc.). Social distancing regulations must
be followed. All other public spaces in Avalon and Stone Harbor will
remain closed, including playgrounds, tennis/pickleball/basketball
courts, boardwalk, libraries, and recreational centers/fields. Stone Harbor Planning Board Meeting The Borough of Stone Harbor Planning Board
Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2020 at 4:30 PM and will take
place via video conference. The State has recently adopted legislation
that has made it possible for The Borough of Stone Harbor to hold
official Meetings via electronic means. While this scenario is not
ideal, the Borough believes it is necessary to ensure the health,
safety, and welfare of their citizens. Beach Patrol Project To Be Pared Down Responding to a constituent letter, at a
recent meeting, Stone Harbor Council tried to dispel the notion that a
new beach patrol headquarters, planned for 95th Street, would cost $4.1
million. Council members expressed concern that the public associated
the entire $4.1 million figure with the beach patrol building, instead
of understanding that the project being planned involves more than just
a new building. Other goals of the capital project include new restrooms
and the construction of changed traffic patterns. County Clerk Keeps Real Estate Moving Citing a critical backlog of title searches
preventing new homebuyers from settling, current homeowners from
refinancing, and insurance companies from issuing policies, Cape May
County Clerk Rita Fulginiti reopened the Hall of Records May 4. Property
records after 1996 are available online for anyone conducting a title
search; however, records before that year are recorded in deed books. Golf Courses Are Reopening: What You Need To Know Before You Play Golf organizations in both New Jersey and
Pennsylvania have issued numerous recommendations meant to insure the
health and safety of golfers and course staff. While some may vary
between the two states, or even from course to course, read the article
linked below for some general answers to questions you might have: Surveys Set To Begin For Second Wind Farm Ocean floor surveying will be getting underway
off the southern New Jersey coast as part of a second major offshore
wind project planned for the Garden State. The geophysical surveying off
the coast of Ocean and Atlantic counties is for the Atlantic Shores wind
farm and within a 183,000-acre lease area on the U.S. Outer Continental
Shelf that extends between nine to 20 miles in an area between Barnegat
Light and Atlantic City. Water depth in the area ranges from 60 to 100
feet. Sysco Foods Donation Of Fresh Foods Feeds Zoo Animals, Supports Local Food Pantries Sysco Philadelphia, a food delivery service,
has donated to the Cape May County Zoo 17 pallets of fresh vegetables,
herbs, and fruits that could not be used by local restaurants due to the
temporary closing of restaurants. The pallets contained a combination of
bananas, strawberries, cantaloupes, lemons, limes, and avocados as well
as parsley, tarragon, garlic, squash, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes,
cabbage, and several varieties of lettuce, according to Parks Director
Ed Runyon. The Zoo dietary staff determined what could be used and cold
stored for the animals, once that was done, they realized there were
still several pallets remaining. The food that the Zoo was unable to use
was donated to local food pantries. Governor Signs Executive Order Extending Grace Period to Pay Taxes Governor Murphy signed
Executive Order No. 130, which allows municipalities to extend the grace
period for property tax payments due on May 1st to June 1st. Such an
extension would provide much-needed relief to homeowners struggling
financially as a result of the recent health crisis. Flood Insurance Discount Arrives May 1 At the Avalon Borough Council
meeting April 22, Business Administrator Scott Wahl announced that the
new flood insurance discount would be available to property owners
beginning May 1. The decrease is a result of the borough lowering its
Community Rating System (CRS) score from five to three. Ten is the
highest and worst. This effectively moves the insurance premium discount
from 25% to 35%. Notice of Meeting Change Avalon Borough Council May, 2020 Meetings The Borough Council of the
Borough of Avalon will not be holding the scheduled Work Sessions and
Regular Meetings May 13, 2020 and May 27, 2020 in the regularly
scheduled manner. Public meetings of Borough Council of the Borough of
Avalon will be held via telephone conference call, as allowed by A-3850. Mild Weather Spares Avalon's Beaches Dr. Stewart Farrell, of
Stockton University’s Coastal Research Center, presented his semi-annual
report on the state of Avalon’s beaches, at the April 22 borough council
meeting. He concluded that the borough’s north end is in “good shape”
following an unusually mild winter season. Farrell said that no back
passing effort would be needed this year. Stone Harbor Municipal Marina/Boat Ramp Open The Municipal Marina/Boat
Ramp as well as the lot located at 81st Street & the bay are now open.
Public Works will be installing the floating docks at that location over
the next few weeks weather permitting. All residents and visitors are
reminded to adhere to strict CDC guidelines concerning social distancing
at all times. Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Habitat Restoration Project A number of non-native,
invasive plants have become established in the wetlands and transition
areas located within the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. These plants have
crowded out native vegetation, reduced species diversity, and degraded
habitat functions and values for wildlife within the Sanctuary. To
address this issue, the Borough of Stone Harbor proposes to conduct the
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Habitat Restoration Project to manage the
invasive species common reed (Phragmites australis) and purple
loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) via herbicide application, hand cutting
and removal. This project is currently in the permitting phase and there
is a requirement within this process to notify all neighbors within 200
feet of the proposed project. The Initial treatment is scheduled for the
Fall of 2020 (after Labor Day - October). Tips For Safe Boating Boating season is nearly
here, and the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau would like
to remind everyone to maintain social distancing while boating. They
want everyone to boat responsibly, so here are some tips boaters can
follow in order to maintain social distancing. Should you need any
assistance, troopers in the Marine Services Bureau patrolling our
state's coastline and waterways will be available. Social Distancing At The Shore? As business owners,
marketers, property managers, and public officials contemplate how to
save the Shore from the economic disaster of a season lost, the question
remains: How do you keep people safely apart in a place whose charm is
based, in part, on a gangs-all-here crowding together? April 20: Summary of Restrictions, What's Allowable/Closed/Open in Avalon New Jersey, the County of Cape May, and the Borough of Avalon have
numerous executive orders in place that eliminate non-essential travel
and strongly encourage "stay at home". These orders and directives
remain in effect until action is taken by the Governor, County, or
Borough of Avalon. The Governor has made it clear that one set of rules
will be followed, and they are issued by the State of New Jersey. Stone Harbor Police Department Now Accepting Online Police
Reports In an effort to increase public access to file a police report while
decreasing person to person contact, the Stone Harbor Police Department
is now accepting online police reports. Lit Up Blue for Frontline Workers In support of the courageous efforts of first-responders and healthcare
workers who are currently working on the frontlines, three Stone Harbor
Motels are now illuminated in a bath of blue light. A Stone Harbor Museum Project The Stone Harbor Museum has a new project, a photographic documentation
of those who were on and around the island during this difficult time.
These photos will be part of a larger collection of images, and writings
that will tell the story of these days of worry and isolation. N.J. Marinas Can Operate Only With
'Strict Social Distancing, Sanitization' As boating season nears in New Jersey, marinas, boatyards, and marine
manufactures will be allowed to operate only if managements follow
strict social distancing and sanitation protocols, officials announced
recently. But chartered watercraft services or rentals are prohibited,
and restaurant activity at the facilities must be limited to take-out or
delivery. Avalon Council Approves 2020 Municipal Budget The Avalon Borough Council unanimously
approved the 2020 municipal budget during its meeting on Wednesday,
April 8th. The new budget includes no tax increase, the elimination of
the last general obligation serial bond, and finances necessary capital
improvement projects needed in the community. There is no increase in
the water and sewer rates charged in Avalon in 2020. Stone Harbor Tax Rate Increases Borough Council
adopted an $18.4 million budget at its April 7 meeting. The budget calls
for $13.1 million in local property tax revenue. The local purpose tax
rate is increased from $0.25 to $0.267 per $100 of assessed value. Some
municipalities have been reluctant to adopt an annual budget, given
significant uncertainties in non-property tax revenues, which depend on
tourism traffic. Chief Financial Officer James Kraft said he was
confident the borough would be able to control expenses in ways that
would offset any declines in such revenues. Notice of Temporary Closure of Ingram's Thorofare Bridge - Thursday, April 16th On Thursday night, April 16th, the Ingram's
Thorofare Bridge will be closed between the hours of 7:00pm thru 5:00am
due to ongoing construction. As a result, Avalon Boulevard (C.R. 601)
will be closed to thru traffic during these hours. The roadway and
bridge will re-open after those hours and remain open thereafter. Avalon Reschedules Bulk Trash Pickup to Week of June 15th, 2020 The Borough of Avalon has rescheduled the
spring bulk trash collection day. Bulk trash collection was scheduled to
occur starting May 11th but has been postponed. Bulk trash may now be
placed curbside for collection from June 1st through June 14th, with
collection beginning on June 15th. These dates are again subject to
change. Ordinances Introduced to Fund Borough Projects in Stone Harbor Borough Council introduced two bond ordinances
April 6, which together would provide almost $15 million for capital
projects in the borough. The general fund ordinance was for $10.3
million, with $4 million of that total designated for stormwater
drainage projects, and $4.1 million for the construction of a new beach
patrol headquarters, at 95th Street and the beach. The other large
allocation in the ordinance was $1.6 million for road improvements. The
second ordinance introduced bonds for the borough's water/sewer utility,
totaling $4.4 million. One project, listed at $1.2 million, involves
upgrading water meters and associated piping. The other large allocation
of dollars is for upgrading infrastructure, along specific enumerated
streets, estimated at $2.3 million. Veterans Organizations Giving Back to Community During these uncertain times when most
businesses are closed and citizens are being asked to stay home, members
of veteran organizations throughout Cape May County are working to
supply meals and services to those in need. They are working together to
ensure elderly veterans and shut-ins are being cared for and their needs
are met. These Incredible Photos Will Transport You To The Jersey Shore Of Yesteryear The present feels a little overwhelming and,
while we should all look forward to a brighter future, many find comfort
in the past. Here are a few fantastic shots of the Jersey Shore from the
1950s-1980s. Social Distancing, Neighbors Still Bond In a socially distanced world, neighbors are
feeling more neighborly. Families are spending more time at home as
cities close non-essential services. Stay-at-home and shelter-in-place
orders are prompting neighbors to step outside and use their front porch
as a venue to connect even as they maintain a physical distance. Offshore Wind Connections The company building an offshore wind farm
about 10 miles southeast of Atlantic City recently got approval to hook
into the grid at the retired B.L. England electric plant in Upper
Township. Avalon Mayor Issues Second Executive Order; Beaches, Boardwalk, Recreation Fields to Close; Events Cancelled All public beaches, boardwalk, recreational
fields, playgrounds, and the kayak park are closed until further notice;
the directive includes restrictions on municipally-operated marinas. The
Borough has cancelled all special events up until Memorial Day weekend. April 8th Closure of Beaches, Public Parks and Municipal Marina/Boat Ramp In an effort to contain, mitigate and control
the spread of COVID-19 the Stone Harbor Office of Emergency Management
has closed beaches, public parks and the municipal marina/boat ramp. State of the Library/Community Report The Avalon Free Public Library provides annual
reports to the Avalon Borough Council during April of each year. These
are the reports provided to the Borough, which you can view online: Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing Site for County Residents, By Appointment Only Cape May County Department of Health and
CompleteCare Health Network are partnering to open a drive-thru COVID-19
testing site. Help the Shore Community As the coronavirus
outbreak upends our daily lives, many local businesses are giving back
to support the community and you can, too. Find out how you can help,
from near or far, and how businesses are supporting the community during
this difficult time. Directive From Mayor Martin L. Pagliughi As everyone knows, the
COVID-19 Pandemic has hit New Jersey especially hard together with our
sister States of New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware. As a
result, and in order to protect our citizens and our first responders
and others who are working to provide essential services to us, Governor
Murphy has issued a series of Gubernatorial Executive Orders which have
the force and effect of law. These Executive Orders ("EOs") are
currently in effect and will remain in effect until further notice. Notice of Meeting Change of Avalon Borough Council - April, 2020 The Borough Council of
the Borough of Avalon will not be holding the scheduled Work Sessions
and Regular Meetings of Wednesday, April 8, 2020 and Wednesday, April
22, 2020. Mayors of Cape May County Speak Up to Reduce Non-Essential Visitation The Cape May County Board
of Chosen Freeholders are supporting a unanimous position from the 16
municipalities in Cape May County agreed upon on Monday, March 30th.
CRC Study on Beaches and Back Bay Basins The Borough recently
published a report by Stockton University's Coastal Research Center
(CRC) on the condition of our Beaches and Back Bay Basins. Open Businesses In these challenging
times our local business partners are in need of your support. These
local business owners are members of our community, employers of our
neighbors, and providers of an amazing array of food and services that
keep our community diverse and vibrant. Check out the list of local
businesses that are open during the restrictions related to the
coronavirus: County Asks for Donations of Gloves, Masks, PPE Cape May County government is seeking the public's help in
gathering necessary medical supplies for those at the front line
of the COVID-19 outbreak. According to a release, the Cape May
County Health Department and the Cape May County Office of
Emergency Management are seeking donations from businesses that
are closed during this pandemic of sealed boxes of gloves,
masks, and personal protective equipment. Businesses, salons,
schools and others may have access to some of these materials
that could be vital to medical personnel as time goes forward. Cape May County Implements Restrictions on the 96th Street Bridge The Cape May County Engineer has determined that based on the
results of the most recent inspections a weight restriction on
the 96th Street Bridge will be placed into effect immediately.
The 96th Street Bridge over the Great Channel will be load
posted to restrict vehicles in excess of 15 tons gross weight
from using the bridge. In addition, vehicles less than 15 tons
gross weight are reminded that the bridge speed is 30 MPH.
Impact conditions resulting from speeding vehicles also continue
to be an issue and the public is encouraged to cross the bridge
while obeying the posted speed. Vehicles in excess of 15 tons
will be required to access Stone Harbor via Avalon Boulevard
(C.R. 601). Due to the current re-decking of the Ingram's
Thorofare Bridge (coming into Avalon), oversized vehicles wider
than 11'-0” will not be able to cross the bridge until May 7,
2020. All other vehicles will be able to cross the Ingram's
Thorofare bridge without restriction. Avalon Prepares for 5G Service Avalon Borough Council used a portion of its March 11 work
session to discuss planning for 5G network deployment. Business
Administrator Scott Wahl shared the view of borough technology
consultants that "4G will be exhausted in the State of New
Jersey in 24 months." Despite an extreme outcome not occurring,
the wait for 5G is short, and the moment to prepare is now. The
discussion's result is a move by the borough to prepare a small
cell deployment plan ready for council consideration before
Labor Day. Notice Regarding Avalon Water/Sewer, Tax Payments The Borough of Avalon will continue to accept Tax and
Water/Sewer payments as scheduled. Please note that payment
received after the grace periods will still be subject to
interest and penalties in accordance with NJ State Statutes
until otherwise directed. Stone Harbor Mayor Attains 'Municipal Leader' Designation Stone Harbor Mayor Judith M. Davies-Dunhour is the first person
to complete the courses and apply to attain "Municipal Leader"
designation from the New Jersey League of Municipalities. Market Values Climb in Stone Harbor In January 2018, Stone Harbor announced the
completion of its revaluation of borough properties. The process was
ordered by the Cape May County Board of Taxation. Two years after
completion of the revaluation in Stone Harbor, property values continue
to grow in relation to assessed value. At a recent Borough Council
meeting, Tax Assessor Margaret Slavin reported a 94% market ratio. Borough of Stone Harbor 2020 Municipal Budget Presentation The Borough of Stone Harbor has released it's
2020 Municipal Budget Presentation. To view this presentation and
additional Financial Information visit the Borough of Stone Harbor’s
Municipal Website: Bulk Trash Pick Up - March 16th Items may be placed along the curb 72 hours
prior to March 16th. Avalon Woman Wins Her Battle To Keep Treasured Vines On Her Beach-Block Home A woman who ended up in court over the leafy
vines covering the walls of her beach-block home does not have to cut
them down, a judge ruled recently. In a brief hearing, Municipal Court
Judge Andrew Cafiero dismissed the borough’s complaint against Elaine
Scattergood for violating a town ordinance on overgrowth. His decision,
which followed a daylong hearing in January, concluded that officials
failed to follow the procedures required after they issued the
citations, such as following up with recommendations. The ruling brought
an end to a dispute that lasted more than a year and grew to represent
more than a single homeowner’s stand. Scattergood has been cultivating
Virginia creeper vines on her 30th Street property for decades, as
Avalon morphed into an exclusive community with multimillion-dollar
homes. Avalon to Regulate Free Rides Avalon Borough Council introduced an ordinance
recently that establishes regulations for commercial providers of
free-ride services. One such service, 7 Mile Free Ride, launched in
2017. The venture boasts an "eco-friendly free ride experience." The
service uses golf carts to provide free point-to-point transportation in
Avalon and Stone Harbor. Revenue comes from advertisers. The regulations
will require that free-ride service providers obtain municipal consent
to operate on the borough’s streets along with appropriate licensing of
the business activity. Do Saint Patrick's Day at the Shore Cape May County will go green this St.
Patrick's Day weekend with a range of especially shamrockin'
celebrations. Both Irishmen and non-Irishmen alike won't want to miss
these spirited special events! Council Introduces 2020 Municipal Budget; No Increase in
Tax Rate, or Water/Sewer Rates The Avalon Borough Council introduced the 2020 municipal budget
that includes no increase in the municipal tax rate. The budget
totals $28,659,238 and includes a municipal tax rate of 19.9
cents per $100 dollars of assessed valuation. This is one of the
lowest municipal tax rates among developed communities in the
State of New Jersey. N.J. Legislator Proposes Fines For Beachgoers Who Don't
Secure Umbrellas A new bill in the New Jersey legislature sets fines for
beachgoers who don't properly secure beach umbrellas and vendors
that fail to warn the public about the risks of their use. The
pending bill prohibits opening a beach umbrella at a public
beach during wind speeds of 25 mph or greater unless it is
secured to the ground using an auger, sandbag, or another
anchoring device. Any violators could be subject to a civic
penalty of $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second, and
$250 for the third or subsequent offense. The government entity
with jurisdiction over the public beach would be responsible for
collecting and enforcing the penalty. The legislation also
requires retailers that sell beach umbrellas to post a sign
informing consumers of the risks associated with the device.
Violators would be subject to a $500 fine. 2020 United States Census - What You Need To Know! The Borough of Avalon, from time to time, will release
information about the 2020 Census effort. Here are some answers
to frequently asked questions about this year's Census count.
Additional information will be posted on the municipal website.
Facing Lifeguard Recruitment Problems, Shore Town
Significantly Raises Pay Stone Harbor has responded to a problem of recruiting and
retaining lifeguards through a significant pay hike. The pay for
new lifeguards will increase from $100 daily last year to $155
in 2020, according to a Cape May County Herald report. The same
increase applies across the pay scale. A guard with 15 years of
experience will move from $128 a year ago to $183 per day in
2020. Beach badge checkers will receive an increase from $9.50
to $16 last year to $12 to $18.50 in 2020. And it's not just a
problem in Stone Harbor... 2020 Avalon Kayak Park Registration Procedures Avalon will continue to
offer free registration to Avalon residential property owners for the
216 berths available at the Avalon Kayak Park. Avalon will conduct an
"open registration" through March 31, 2020. Registrations are accepted
in person during regular business hours, seven days a week, at Avalon
Community Hall, 30th Street and the beach in Avalon or by filling out
the convenient form located on their web page: Board Backs Hike in Shore Funding The County of Cape May passed a resolution supporting an
increase in State funding for the "Shore Protection Fund," from
$25 million to $50 million. There is a bill in the Assembly and
Senate that would increase that allotment. The Shore Protection
Fund provides important funding that allows the State and
Municipalities to engage in cost-share partnerships with the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on shore protection projects
including beach restoration and maintenance. Free Beach Movies During Summer, 2020 – Here is the Lineup! The Avalon Department of Recreation has announced its schedule
of free beach movies that will again be offered on Tuesday
evenings during the Summer of 2020. Nine beach movies will be
shown at Avalon's 30th Street beach on Tuesday evenings, at
8:45pm, starting on June 30th. How Do Ratings Affect Flood Insurance Premiums? Cape May County property owners had just over 53,000 policies
with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 2019,
covering $12.7 billion worth of property and furnishings. For
that coverage, they paid over $36 million in premiums and fees.
Flood insurance is big business in the county and actions that
can result in premium reductions are similarly important
business. Across the county, 12 of the 16 municipalities are
Community Rating System (CRS) communities, meaning they
participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
program that offers various insurance discounts based on a
community’s voluntary efforts in community floodplain
management, making the insured property in the community safer
for flood risk. A CRS class can be within the range of 1, the
highest, to 10, the lowest. At the top is a class 1 community
that receives a 45% discount on premiums. The highest rating in
Cape May County is a class 3, a level that only 13 communities
in the country and two in the state have achieved. The two are
Sea Isle City and Avalon. Property owners will be entitled to a
35% premium reduction. The county has four communities with a
class 5 rating. They are Ocean City, Stone Harbor, Upper
Township, and Wildwood. This rating carries a 25% discount. New in Summer 2020: Sundays at Surfside Concerts, at
Surfside Park The Avalon Department of Recreation has announced a brand new
concert series at Avalon’s Surfside Park, located adjacent to
the Avalon Boardwalk at 30th Street and the beach. Nine concerts
will be held this summer during the "Sundays at Surfside"
events, starting Sunday, June 28th. All concerts will begin at
7:00pm and conclude at approximately 8:30pm. The Avalon
Recreation Department has scheduled some of the most popular
entertainers in the Delaware Valley, and the event will feature
a cross section of music from oldies to country to Irish music,
and everything in between. Boat Ramp a Flood Source Stone Harbor Borough Council heard recently that the borough may
be calling on Dutch expertise to resolve flooding issues at the
municipal marina boat ramp. Office of Emergency Management
Director J. T. Lakose said flooding at the boat ramp is getting
progressively worse. "We can take action to increase minimum
bulkhead heights, but we also need to plug the holes. The boat
ramp is a hole," he said. He spoke of neighbors asking the
borough to take action. Think Summer! Start Planning Your
Summer Fun at the Jersey Shore According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is just around the corner
but winter's not over just yet! Is the chilly weather leaving
you with the winter blues but you can't escape to the shore just
yet? Luckily there is a perfect way to warm up your winter -
start planning your summer fun at the Jersey Shore! Besides
chasing away the winter blues with warm thoughts, planning your
time at the Jersey Shore now has many advantages: increased
availability for your preferred dates and accommodations, early
booking discounts and perks, and time to research and plan what
to do! Update on Proposed Hotel As an update to the question of a hotel near the Stone Harbor
Boulevard-Garden State Parkway entrance, according to the
municipal engineer, last summer Middle Township Committee
decided not to vote on an ordinance that would have approved a
zoning change for the proposed hotel property. The project
cannot proceed without the zoning change, which would make the
land part of the Town Center and thereby qualify it for water
and sewer infrastructure. The matter was referred back to the
Planning Board. It is now part of the master plan review
process. The master plan is expected to be approved by the
Planning Board in the late March or early April. Update: Ingram's Thorofare Bridge to Close Monday Evening, February 24th Note: The overnight
closure was scheduled for February 20th. However, the closure is now
scheduled for Monday, February 24th, starting at 7:00pm. Unfavorable
temperatures have delayed this closure to the 24th as a concrete pour
for the new span is expected. The Ingram's Thorofare Bridge will be
closed between the hours of 7:00pm thru 5:00am due to ongoing
construction. As a result, Avalon Boulevard (C.R. 601) will be closed to
thru traffic during these hours. The roadway and bridge will re-open
after those hours and remain open thereafter. Avalon to Regulate Free Ride Services Fixed route and
point-to-point transportation services are regulated by Avalon "to
ensure the safety" of residents and visitors, according to Business
Administrator Scott Wahl. The borough requires background checks on
drivers, as well as proof that licenses are valid and adequate liability
insurance is in force. Beginning in 2017, a new form of transportation
service evolved: free ride services. The lack of a public fee allowed
the service to run without being required to conform to the regulations
placed on other transportation providers. Wahl told Avalon Borough
Council recently that the administration would be bringing forth a
resolution to extend the existing regulations to current and future free
ride services. Avalon Garden Club 38th Annual Flower Show-Here's How to Enter! Avalon Garden Club will
hold its 38th Annual Flower Show on Saturday, June 13, 2020. The
location is Avalon Community Hall, 30th Street and the beach. The show
is open for the public from Noon to 4:00pm. Admission is free. Avalon
Garden Club encourages the public and any amateur to enter the show
regardless of your skill level. Van Drew's Aid Sought in Snare-trap Issue The use of snare traps
for predator control at Stone Harbor Point was a hotly debated issue at
Stone Harbor Borough Council meetings in summer 2019. Faced with a need
to maintain a strong working relationship with state and federal
wildlife officials, the borough stopped attempts to press for an end to
the use of what some considered inhumane use of snare traps. The
governing body is trying to continue its support of federal and state
predator-control processes at the Point, while also requesting the
intervention of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd). The goal is to see if
alternative means of control can be employed, despite the insistence of
federal and state officials that snare traps are the most effective
mechanism. Upcoming Shopping Events at the Shore Are you looking for the
perfect gift or something to wear? At the right price of course! Nothing
beats a day, or better yet a weekend, of browsing local shops or getting
a great bargain! Check out the local shopping events coming up in March
and April: The Jersey Shore Pops
Music Director and Conductor Linda Gentille
and The Jersey Shore Pops proudly announce the highly anticipated Pops
upcoming "2020 Summer Concert Series," a trio of themed concerts
featuring talented guest artists including singer Peter Oprisko,
trumpeter and vocalist Nicole Sasser, comedian Tom Drake, and soprano
Jennifer Fair. Purchase tickets early before they sell out! The average
price is $40, with group rates available. Some venues have free parking,
including the Middle Township Performing Arts Center. Sea Isle City First Responders Help Deliver First Baby In City Since 1977
First responders help deliver the first baby
born in Sea Isle City in more than 40 years. It was supposed to be Joe
and Jeanne Golato's last weekend away before baby number two came. They
wanted to spend some quality time with 3-year-old Briella before she
became a big sister. On Monday, January 27, the Golatos were in Sea Isle
City, New Jersey and Jeanne was three weeks from her due date. "She
started having more pain and within a half an hour, she was telling me
to call 911," explained Joe Golato. Police and EMTs were there within
minutes. Within five minutes of police and EMTs arriving, Jeanne
delivered a healthy baby girl named Luciana. Committee to Analyze Beach Patrol Building Outgoing Stone Harbor
Business Administrator Jill Gougher presented a tentative schedule, in
November 2019, for the construction of Beach Patrol Headquarters. At
that Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting, Gougher was authorized to
move ahead with the cumbersome permitting process. Gougher's projected
schedule called for a detailed design to be completed by May, a June bid
process and a July construction award. The schedule called for
construction beginning after Labor Day 2020. The aim was to have the
building ready for use by Memorial Day 2021. The project also called for
the replacement of the public restrooms on a site adjacent to the
building. Discussion, at a recent February council meeting, introduced
the potential use of a modular structure for the Beach Patrol. An
additional possibility is to maintain the modular restroom facility,
rather than move ahead with the construction of new restrooms. Stone Harbor Considers Tax-rate Increase Stone Harbor Borough
Council discussed a possible increase in the municipal tax rate for
2020. The increase would move the rate per $100 of assessed value from
$0.25 to $0.267, resulting in a 6.8% increase in property tax for
homeowners in Stone Harbor. The proposed increase would net the borough
an estimated $932,000 in new revenue. The new rate would raise the levy
by $170 on a home assessed at $1 million. The council discussion
included an examination of the items that would benefit from the
increase. These included several initiatives that deal with the
oceanfront beaches or the back bay waterways. Almost 55% of the proposed
increase in spending is targeted at beach replenishment, back bay dredge
management, beach and bay access, and flood mitigation. Municipal
departments, in which holding employees has been an issue, saw salary
and wage adjustments. The actual increases in the proposed budget
totaled $1.2 million. Borough actions resulting in about $300,000 in
savings covered almost 25% of the proposed increase in spending. A
recent decision to move the borough to the county's Central Dispatch has
paid dividends, with an estimated saving, in the 2020 budget, of
$53,623. Annual Forest Fire Mitigation Program Is Underway In N.J. A seasonal program for
mitigating forest fire risk is underway throughout New Jersey. According
to the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service, the prescribed burning
program reduces wildfire risks by burning buildup of undergrowth, fallen
trees and branches, leaves and other debris on forest floors. Prescribed
fires, also known as controlled burns, are generally conducted during
the mid to late winter months to minimize the amount of smoke produced
and when weather conditions tend to be safer for controlled fires,
according to the DEP. Pending weather conditions this season, the state
Forest Fire Service, part of the DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry,
expects to burn between 35,000 acres of forests and grasslands. Who Pays When A Candidate Comes To Town? President Donald Trump
came and went from Wildwood in a matter of hours, while drawing crowds
of supporters and protesters to the dormant winter Shore town. But long
after the President left town, remnants of the rally remained, and city
employees spent two long nights cleaning up garbage, beach chairs,
signs, and blankets from outside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Weeks
later, Wildwood is still tabulating the costs for extra policing and
cleanup, and Mayor Pete Byron says he just wants his city's money back.
Wildwood is hardly the first, or likely the last, city to encounter
billing trouble when a presidential candidate comes to town...the
question is, who pays? Stone Harbor Mayors Wellness Campaign Get ready to Jump Start
Your Health! The Mayors Wellness Campaign starts February 20th. Sign up
now 94th Street Sewer Pump Station Presentation As reported last week, Stone Harbor is initiating a ten-month project to
relocate and replace one of its two municipal sanitary sewer pumps. The
project is on an expedited schedule, with completion scheduled for the
second week in November. View the presentation from a recent Borough
Council Meeting: Coalition for Safe Community, Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Partner to Host Black History Month Event Anthony Ray Hinton, former wrongfully convicted prisoner held on death
row for 30 years for a crime he did not commit and author of "The Sun
Does Shine," will be at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center in
Cape May Court House at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a meet-and-greet
and book signing. The event, open to the public, is hosted by the
Coalition for a Safe Community and the Cape May County Prosecutor's
Office. Avalon Seeking Applications for Beach Patrol/Beach Tag Checkers The Borough of Avalon has exciting employment opportunities for the
Summer of 2020! They are seeking applications for positions with the
Avalon Beach Patrol as lifeguards, and beach tag checkers. Hurry,
positions fill up quickly! Number of Peregrine Falcons Hatched in NJ Up in 2019 The nonprofit Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey (CWF) and New
Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species
Program (ENSP) released the 2019 New Jersey Peregrine Falcon Research
and Management Program Report highlighting the continued recovery of the
peregrine falcon in New Jersey. According to a release, the number of
peregrine falcons young produced in New Jersey rose slightly to 78 in
2019, as compared to 75 in 2018. The adult population was slightly lower
at 38 known pairs, as compared to 40 known pairs in 2018. N.J. Legislators Quickly Reintroduce Single-Use Plastic, Paper Bag Ban Bill Legislators are acting quickly a few weeks after the New Jersey Assembly
failed to act on the comprehensive ban on single-use plastic and paper
bags. The New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee released
the bill, known as S-864, sending it for further action. The bill
prohibits the provision or sale of single-use plastic carryout bags,
single-use paper carryout bags, and polystyrene foam food service
products. It also limits the provision of single-use plastic straws and
appropriates funds from the Clean Communities Program Fund for public
education. The previously proposed ban on single-use plastic and paper
bags would be implemented after one year, and a ban on polystyrene
containers - such as Styrofoam - would take effect after two years. Now,
the new legislation would go into effect 18 months after it is signed
for plastic bags, paper bags, and polystyrene, and one year for straws,
although they could be provided at a customer's request. Stone Harbor Appoints Smith as Borough Administrator
Robert J. Smith, of Turnersville, has been
appointed as the administrator for the Borough of Stone Harbor. A
licensed attorney, and a former New Jersey State Assemblyman, he joins
Stone Harbor with eight years of executive-level experience in municipal
government. Pump Station Project Set to Begin
Stone Harbor is initiating a ten-month project to relocate and replace
one of its two municipal sanitary sewer pumps. The project is on an
expedited schedule, with completion scheduled for the second week in
November. The borough's wastewater system utilizes two municipally owned
pump stations at 114th and 93rd streets, and one additional pump station
owned and operated by the county Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA)
near the 80th Street Marina. Avalon Construction Office Implements FEMA Floodplain Development Permit Application In 2020, the Borough of Avalon will be elevated from a Class 5 to a
Class 3 community in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community
Rating System (CRS) program. This elevation will provide 35 percent
discounts on flood insurance for Avalon property owners. With the new
class, FEMA is requiring more documentation for the CRS Program to
maintain the Class 3 rating and the benefits derived by property owners
and our community. The Floodplain Development Permit Application will
now be required for all new construction, house raises, additions, and
substantial improvements. Visit the Borough of Avalon Website to view a
sample application. Flood Mitigation Project Quizzed In response to a question from a property owner at a recent Avalon
Borough Council meeting, Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton provided an
update on the flood mitigation project in the north end, and outlined
the next steps. In fall 2018, Avalon committed to the
multimillion-dollar drainage project. At the time, Thornton explained
that it would be a "big and complex project." The first conceptual
design for the drainage improvements suggested a $10 million project.
Subsequent design work, presented to the council in October 2019,
expanded the use of gravity systems, eliminated one of the two existing
pump stations and held the promise of reducing the burden on taxpayers.
Thornton explained that preliminary talks have begun with permit
agencies and that, pending borough approval of the funds, the next step
would involve the detailed design, a task that could take much of 2020,
he added. County Holds Poster Contest For Fourth-Graders The constitutional officers of Cape May County are sponsoring their
twenty-eighth annual My County poster contest open to fourth-grade
students countywide. Sheriff Robert Nolan, county Clerk Rita Marie
Fulginiti and Surrogate Dean R. Marcolongo sponsor this annual event to
bring awareness of the function of county government to fourth-graders,
who regularly study the topic as part of their curriculum. The object is
for the student to depict his or her concept of what is unique about
Cape May County and how it relates to county government. Deadline to
submit entries is February 28th by 4:30pm. Portion Of Popular Back Road To The Shore Closed Until June A popular secondary road that connects the Delaware River and the
Atlantic Ocean is closed until June for what state officials say are
"priority roadway repairs." According to a New Jersey Department of
Transportation news release, Mount Construction recently began repairing
a culvert over Dias Creek on Route 47 in Cape May County's Middle
Township. Officials say sinkholes that have formed are compromising the
state highway - which runs for 75 miles from Brooklawn to Wildwood -
that typically jams during the summer when it becomes a two-lane road
toward the coast. Detours are in place, and local access is available
for residents and businesses. State transportation officials expect the
project to finish by June 2020. Kayak Storage Available in 2020
The Borough of Stone Harbor will once again
offer Kayak storage at the 81st Street Marina location. Stone Harbor
Property Owners may apply for a Kayak space starting March 1, 2020 and
continuing until March 31, 2020, proof of property ownership is
required. Spaces are limited to two (2) per property and will be awarded
through a lottery. A fee of $100.00 per space has been implemented in
2020. Stone Harbor Council
The new year brings some new voices and leadership
to the Stone Harbor Borough Council! Newly elected council members,
Jennifer Gensemer, Charles Krafczek, Reese Moore and Frank Dallahan took
their oaths of office at the annual municipal reorganization meeting on
Tuesday, January 7th. Incumbent Council Member, Charles Krafczek was
nominated and elected as Council President for the 2020 term. Salary Ordinance Changes Proposed
Finding "some inequities that need to be
addressed," Avalon's administration proposed changes to the borough’s
salary ordinance, the first such changes since 2016. Under Avalon’s form
of government, the mayor sets the salaries for most borough employees.
The exceptions are those salaries required to be fixed by Avalon Borough
Council or by the mayor, with the consent of the council. The former
salary ordinance focused on ranges for appointive and elective officers
of the borough, and not on the larger employee positions where the mayor
fixed salaries by executive order. The proposed "Salary Ordinance of
2020" would codify all job titles and positions in the borough, setting
minimum and maximum salary ranges for each, with the exception of
salaries of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. Construction Beginning at Avalon’s 8th Street Jetty in Early January
Crews from South State Construction are
currently mobilizing to being making necessary repairs to Avalon’s 8th
Street Jetty. The beach entrance at 8th Street will be a construction
zone and off limits to the public. Members of the public are required to
stay clear of the jetty due to the construction activity that will last
until late April or early May, 2020. Heavy rock for the project will be
brought in to town starting on or about January 10th. Hazard Mitigation Initiative
As a part of the Borough of Stone Harbor's
Community Rating System (CRS) requirements, the "2019 Progress Report on
Hazard Mitigation Initiatives" has been made public. January 2020 Events and Schedule at the Avalon Free Public Library
The Avalon Free Public Library and History
Center features a number of programs for all ages. Take a break from the
winter weather and enjoy some time at the library! Avalon Seeks Hike in Shore Protection Fund
Avalon officials recently met with Senator
Michael Testa (R-1st) to urge support for an increase in the state’s
Shore Protection Fund. The present $25 million per year funding level
has not been increased since 1998 and is considered inadequate to the
task of supporting protection programs for the state’s beaches, back
bays, and inland waterways. How to Do The Shore this Winter
When you say the word 'beach,' most people
think sunny skies, hot temperatures, and warm ocean water. In January,
that's not really the case at the Jersey Shore! But cold temperatures do
not mean you can't have fun with the whole family. During the winter you
can stay inside, cozy by the fire, or you can go outside and explore
South Jersey in the snow! Stone Harbor Beach Tag Fees to Increase
Effective January 1, 2020 the following beach
tags fees will apply: Pre-Season Tags - $25.00; Season Tags (After May
31, 2020) - $30.00; Weekly Tags - $13.00 Daily Tags - $6.00. Stone
Harbor beach tags are reciprocal with Avalon. All persons 12 and over
must display tags the Friday of Memorial weekend to Monday of Labor Day
weekend, 10a.m. - 5p.m. Avalon Attains Class 3 CRS Rating; 35 Percent Discounts on Flood Insurance Come in 2020
The Borough of Avalon has achieved a Class 3
status in the Federal Emergency Management's Community Rating System
that evaluates the flood mitigation practices of a community. During its
five-year review process, the CRS program elevated Avalon from a Class 5
to a Class 3, meaning property owners who carry flood insurance will
enjoy a 35 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums. This
translates into approximately $1.6 million in cumulative insurance
savings for Avalon residents starting sometime in 2020. 1,700
municipalities participate in the CRS program nationwide; Avalon is one
of only 13 municipalities in the entire country to achieve a Class 3
rating. Stone Harbor Council Seeks Beach Patrol HQ Permits
Stone Harbor Council authorized the borough
engineer, Dec 17, to move ahead with the permitting process for a
proposed Beach Patrol building at 95th Street. To gain the state and
federal permits for construction of the facility, the borough will
present plans that lock-in the building's footprint and elevation,
meaning that council is sufficiently satisfied with the design concept
to make that commitment. The proposed two-story structure has an
estimated price tag of $2.2 million, with the entire project, including
replacement of the nearby restrooms and area landscaping, priced at $3.6
million. Stone Harbor Police Department Communications Center transitions to Cape May County Center
The Stone Harbor Police Department has
transitioned our Communications Center from the Avalon Police Department
to the Cape May County Communications Center. While the location of the
dispatchers who receive telephone calls from the public and dispatch
officers has changed, the manner in which residents and visitors of
Stone Harbor contact the police has remained the same. Avalon Beach Tag Art Contest
Fifth grade Avalon
Elementary School student Ginger Radzieta is the winner of the 22nd
Annual Beach Tag Art contest sponsored by the Avalon Elementary School
and the Borough of Avalon. Ginger was presented with the very first
beach tag of the 2020 beach season with her artwork, along with a plaque
from Mayor Martin Pagliughi congratulating her on the award. 7 Reasons to Do the Shore this Season
Whether you live in Cape
May County year-round or are a visitor from out of town, you're
guaranteed to love doing the shore this holiday season! Holiday Season Safety Tips
December is a time of
celebration for many diverse religious observances in New Jersey, but
whatever the holiday, these festivities often include lights and
decorations. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA)
Division of Fire Safety wants residents to be aware of potential fire
hazards that can cause electrical fires in the home and is offering
important fire safety precautions to follow this time of year. 2020 Vision: How the Wetlands Institute Plans to Build on Its 50-Year Legacy
As a year of celebrations
for the 50th anniversary of The Wetlands Institute comes to a close,
it's fitting to look forward to the next 50 years. Throughout the year
The Wetlands Institute has reflected upon the remarkable legacy of
research, conservation, education, and stewardship that underpins the
impact of their organization in our community and beyond. Avalon Police Department Holding Christmas Toy Drive for County Children
The Avalon Police
Department will be hosting a Toy Drive for the Cape May County Children
Services. The donations will be provided to children and families who
have been exposed to domestic violence, abuse and neglect. The Avalon
Police Department will be accepting donations of new and unwrapped toys
for children up to the age of 13 years. The wrapping paper and tape
donations are also needed. Deadline for donations is December 18, 2019. Irrigation Water Use Rising in Stone Harbor
Tax Collector Deborah
Candelore recently presented to Stone Harbor Borough Council a 10-year
history of irrigation water consumption in the borough. The data showed
that irrigation meter use was at an all-time high in 2019, and that
irrigation consumption was at a level not seen since 2010. The
consumption comparison was based on usage in the busiest quarter of the
year - July through September. Irrigation consumption was at a low point
in 2013, with 24 million gallons, and at a high of 35 million, in 2019.
Also discussed was the pending rate hike scheduled as part of the 2021
budget. This is the last of three scheduled rate hikes in a five-year
period, since the plan was adopted in 2016. The first increase was in
2017. Avalon Receives $177,000 NJDOT Grant for Reconstruction of Portion of 69th Street
The Borough of Avalon is
receiving a $177,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of
Transportation. The grant will be used for the Borough's reconstruction
of a portion of 69th Street between Dune Drive and Ocean Drive. The
project is expected to begin in 2020. New Jersey Moves Closer To Banning Plastic Bags - And Paper Ones, Too
New Jersey lawmakers
moved closer Thursday to banning plastic and paper bags, along with
Styrofoam containers, in what would be one of the strictest bans in the
nation. Lawmakers in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
approved an amended version of the bill that calls for single-use
plastic bags and paper bags to be banned one year after the law goes
into effect. Styrofoam cups and food containers, like ones used for
takeout food, would be banned two years after the law is signed. Upcoming Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year Trash/Recycling/Brush Schedule in Avalon The Avalon Department of Public Works has announced the following adjustments to various scheduled pickups for upcoming collection schedules: Thanksgiving week:
Trash and recycling normal schedule, brush collection will occur on
Wednesday, instead of Thursday. Upcoming Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year Trash/Recycling/Brush Schedule in Avalon Beach Patrol Building Moves Ahead
Stone Harbor Borough
Council received an update recently on the proposed new Beach Patrol
building at 95th Street and the beach. An earlier presentation included
a design with an estimated cost of just over $4 million. The reworked
design shaved $500,000 off the estimate. It did so largely through
changes to aspects of the project that sit outside or on the periphery
of the building. Several council members expressed support for the
modified design. While no formal vote was taken, Business Administrator
Jill Gougher was authorized to move ahead with the permitting process. A
tentative schedule for the project included a permitting and detailed
design phase that would run until April or May 2020. 8th Street Jetty Project to Begin; Active Construction Site, Off Limits to Fishermen
The Borough of Avalon
held a pre-construction meeting on Friday, November 22nd with South
State Construction of Egg Harbor Township to discuss the upcoming
repairs to the 8th Street Jetty in the Borough. Council has awarded a
contract to South State to make repairs to the jetty, which was damaged
during Winter Storm Jonas in January, 2016. The foundation of the jetty
was compromised and large rock has been displaced. The Borough
previously placed signs adjacent to the jetty and concrete barrier to
deter members of the public from accessing the structure. The jetty will
become an active construction zone during a period of time from
mid-December, 2019 to early January, 2020. Postal Food Collection Solicits Donations
The letter carriers,
rural and city, along with many other postal employees and volunteers
will be collecting non-perishable food December 7, according to
coordinator John Vollrath. Those postal personnel are from the following
post offices throughout Cape May County: Cape May, Court House, Villas,
Rio Grande, Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle City, Ocean View,
Ocean City, Marmora and Woodbine. All will be collecting non-perishable
food items to fill local food banks. The American Legion Post 331 To Host a Luncheon for World War II and Korea Veterans
If you are a veteran of
World War II or the Korean Conflict, The American Legion wants to buy
you lunch. The American Legion Post 331 and Sons of American Legion
Squadron 331, Stone Harbor, will honor local World War II and Korean War
veterans with a free luncheon at its annual Pearl Harbor Day event,
Saturday, December 14, 2019, 1 - 3 p.m. at the Stephen C. Ludlam Post
331 headquarters, 11617 2nd Avenue. Post 331 will also present its
annual Home for the Holidays travel package awards to selected Coast
Guard members stationed in Cape May. 2019 Christmas Parades & Tree Lightings in Cape May County Check out all the
Christmas Parades and Tree Lightings throughout Cape May County this
holiday season! Avalon to Study Sewer System Flow At a recent work session,
Avalon Borough Council discussed the need for an "infiltration and
inflow study" of the sewer system. The Cape May County Municipal
Utilities Authority (MUA) spreads its charge to individual
municipalities based on each municipality's share of total wastewater
flow to the MUA. In recent years, some of the county's municipalities
have seen spikes in their share of total wastewater flow, leading to
unbudgeted increases in fees. Like Avalon, Middle Township has recently
undertaken a study of flows from its aging sewer system. What both towns
are seeking is evidence of groundwater infiltration or stormwater inflow
that is inappropriately entering the sewer system and causing higher MUA
costs. FEMA Delays Flood Insurance Hike Until 2021 New Jersey residents will
have a reprieve before flood insurance premiums will likely rise. The
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was set to implement a new
initiative, known as Risk Rating 2.0, designed to "deliver flood
insurance rates that people trust, value, and are less complex to
navigate," beginning in October 2020. FEMA previously announced that
National Flood Insurance Program premiums will increase an estimated
average of $873 per policy to $972, or 11.3 percent. But nearly 80
percent of policyholders already paying the full-risk rate will not
experience the increase, the agency said. Avalon Beach Fill Completed The Army Corps of
Engineers completed the 2019 Avalon beach replenishment project November
10. The project was completed ahead of schedule. This year, Avalon
received a total of 675,000 cubic yards of sand on its north-end
beaches, from Ninth to 20th streets. The replenishment is part of a
federal program to rebuild protective beaches and dunes on a three-year
cycle. The next federally sponsored replenishment is scheduled for 2022. Contract Awarded to Repair Avalon Jetty Avalon Borough Council
awarded a $2.5 million contract to South State, Inc., of Bridgeton,
November 13 for the repair of the Eighth Street jetty, damaged in Winter
Storm Jonas in 2016. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed
to $4 million in federal disaster funds for the jetty's repair. NJDEP Urges Drivers To Be Extra Cautious During Peak Deer Mating Season The New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife is urging
drivers to use extra caution and watch for white-tailed deer as deer
mating season gets under way. Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey
runs throughout November and into mid-December in all areas of the
state. During this time of year, deer are more likely to suddenly run
onto roadways as bucks pursue does, risking the possibility of colliding
with a vehicle. when visibility may be difficult. American Legion Post #331, Avalon Hold Veterans Day Ceremony American Legion Post #331
and the Borough of Avalon held a Veterans Day ceremony Monday morning,
November 11th. The Post and Mayor Marty Pagliughi recognized World War
II veteran Frank D'Elia who celebrated his 100th birthday. Do Turkey Day 2019 Don't feel like cooking
Thanksgiving dinner this year? Celebrate Thanksgiving at the shore and
let someone else do the work for you! Find out where you can enjoy
Thanksgiving dinner around Cape May County on Thursday, November 28th. Congressman Van Drew Joins Local Officials on Victory Regarding Beach Nourishment New Jersey Congressman
Jeff Van Drew held a press conference on Friday, November 8th at North
Wildwood's 7th Street beach to discuss a ruling by Department of
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt regarding the availability of sand
from Hereford Inlet for non-emergency federal beach stabilization
projects. Congressman Van Drew asked Secretary Bernhardt for a meeting
involving officials from Avalon, Stone Harbor, and North Wildwood who
were all impacted by a decision by Fish and Wildlife's interpretation of
a federal statue for which the Secretary disagreed, and supported all
three coastal communities. Senators Announce Nearly $2M to Aid Repair of Damaged Avalon Jetty U.S. Sens. Robert
Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) announced a grant providing $1.95
million in federal funding to the Borough of Avalon to aid in repairs to
the Eighth Street jetty as a result of Winter Storm Jonas, a record
blizzard that dumped more than three feet of snow on parts of New Jersey
in January 2016 and caused severe erosion and flooding along the shore.
The funding was authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford
Act. Jonas caused an estimated $67 million in damage in Cape May County
alone, over $80 million statewide. The federal grant represents 75% of
the total $2,601,598 project cost to repair the jetty. Department of Interior Secretary Approves Avalon/Stone Harbor/North Wildwood Position on Hereford Inlet United States Secretary
of the Interior David Bernhardt issued an administrative directive on
Monday, November 4th that permits the use of non-emergency federal funds
for periodic beach nourishment projects, particularly in Stone Harbor
and North Wildwood. The directive follows a meeting hosted by Secretary
Bernhardt at the Department of Interior on Monday, October 21st
scheduled by Congressman Jeff Van Drew and attended by representatives
of Avalon, Stone Harbor, and North Wildwood. This directive reverses a
recent position by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service that
prevented the sand that has accumulated in the Inlet from prior beach
fills to be used for protective measures against future storm events. Notice of Construction on Ingrams Thorofare Bridge on Avalon Boulevard The County of Cape May
has entered into a contract with South State Construction for the
reconstruction of the existing bridge deck and miscellaneous structural
repairs to the Ingram's Thorofare Bridge located along Avalon Boulevard.
Work on the project will begin by the middle of November 2019 and will
proceed in two stages due to the magnitude of the work. Stage one will
involve the replacement of the concrete deck of the east bound lane and
shoulder. Work will proceed as Stage 1 thru the winter and into the
spring of 2020. The work on Stage 1 is expected to terminate by May 7,
2020 and the project will undergo a seasonal shutdown thru the summer
months. Work will resume as Stage 2 on the second Monday in September
2020. The project has an overall final completion date of June 18, 2021.
Wetlands Institute Research - Habitat Use and Nesting Success of Wading Birds Wetlands Institute
Research Scientist Sam Collins recently presented a poster at the joint
meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists and the Wilson
Ornithological Society, held this year in Cape May and organized by New
Jersey Audubon and the Cape May Bird Observatory. She and Dr. Lisa
Ferguson (the Institute's Director of Research and Conservation) have
been looking into the habitat use and nesting success of wading birds on
two marsh islands--Sturgeon Island and Gull Island. They have been
focusing on four colonial nesting species in particular: Black-crowned
Night-Heron, Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egret, and Great Egret. Stone Harbor Plans for Beach, Bay Expenses At a recent meeting,
Stone Harbor Borough Council heard capital budget projections for almost
$6 million over five years for beach replenishment, back bay dredging,
and flood mitigation efforts. The $5.7 million budget projection
represents the total in funds scheduled to be put aside over the next
five budget cycles to deal with the recurring, expensive projects aimed
at open bay channels, protected beaches, and better flood mitigation
infrastructure. Borough of Stone Harbor Flood Information Newsletter All properties located
within the Borough of Stone Harbor are in a Special Flood Hazard Area
between the Atlantic Ocean and the bay and are subject to serious
flooding conditions during major storms. The Borough of Stone Harbor
Flood Information Newsletter contains many topics that suggest possible
actions that a homeowner can take to protect themselves, family and
property in the event of a Hurricane or Coastal Storm. Construction on Portions of Fifth Avenue, 47th Street, 68th Street Begins in Early November The Borough of Avalon
held a pre-construction meeting with Asphalt Paving Systems of
Hammonton, NJ recently to discuss Contract M-115, previously approved by
Avalon Borough Council. This contract will result in various street,
concrete, and utility work on a portions of Fifth Avenue, 47th Street,
and 68th Street. USCG Cutter McShan Commissioned In a morning of tradition
and firsts, and with a heartfelt order to board and bring the cutter to
life, the Coast Guard commissioned the USCGC Angela McShan in Cape May
on October 26th. The cutter's homeport will be Cape May. It is named for
Master Chief Angela M. McShan, the first black woman promoted to master
chief petty officer in the Coast Guard. Several of McShan's family
members attended the event, held under overcast skies dockside, along
with many who served with her. McShan's sister, Marilyn Williams, gave
the order for the cutter's first crew to board the new vessel. They
stood at the port rail as she formally commissioned the cutter into
service. Contract Awarded by Avalon Council for Paving of Various Streets The Avalon Borough
Council approved a contract with Asphalt Paving Systems, of Hammonton,
New Jersey for construction work on three streets in the Borough. The
contract requires Asphalt Paving Systems to conduct paving of three
streets including Fifth Avenue south of 42nd Street (paving and
concrete); 68th Street from Dune Drive to Ocean Drive (paving, concrete,
and sewer), and 47th Street from Dune Drive to Ocean Drive
(paving/concrete/water/sewer/stormwater). The Borough received a grant
totaling $150,000 from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for
work on 68th Street. The total cost of the project is $1,967,600. The
construction timeline will require Asphalt Paving Systems to complete
the work on or before May 18, 2020. Sand Won't Come from Dunes At a special meeting of Stone Harbor Borough Council, Stone Harbor's
governing body decided not to participate in a program that would've
taken sand from the dunes to replenish beaches. The dilemma confronting
the borough stems from a 3-year-old decision by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service that bans the borrowing of sand from Hereford Inlet.
Until then, the inlet was the primary borrow area for federal hydraulic
beach replenishment projects in the borough. Without the ability to take
sand from Hereford Inlet, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state
Department of Environmental Protection offered Stone Harbor an option of
taking sand from the highest dunes and moving it seaward over the
beaches. Council members feared that they would lower the protective
dunes at a time when the borough is embarking on a series of moves to
better protect the island community from sea-level rise and frequent
severe storms. Work to Begin This Fall on Ingram's Thorofare High Span Bridge on Avalon Boulevard The County of Cape May
owns and maintains the Ingrams Thorofare Bridge, the high span bridge in
Middle Township on Avalon Boulevard, west of the Avalon municipal
boundary. The bridge will be re-decked and the project is expected to
take two years, during the off season only. A temporary traffic signal
will be installed on both sides of the bridge as is it anticipated that
one lane of traffic will be closed during the majority of this project. Avalon Family Donates Home to Habitat for Humanity A family has donated an
entire house to Habitat for Humanity and also contributed to the cost to
move it from Avalon to a lot in Upper Township. Getting an entire home
donated isn't commonplace, said Sarah Matthews, executive director of
the charity's Cape May chapter. The process is moving quickly as a
result. The Redwood Avenue plot, which the township previously donated
to Habitat for Humanity, is already equipped with a well and a septic
system, and the chapter is preparing to open up applications to
families. Information Regarding Lead Service Lines in Stone Harbor "In light of recent news
articles regarding the State of New Jersey's inventory of lead service
lines, the Borough of Stone Harbor made a clarification on the number of
these lines reported for the Borough. It was reported that Stone Harbor
has 1,800 lead service lines (LSLs). Unfortunately this number reflects
some data that was inaccurately reported to the NJDEP, which is in the
process of being corrected. The correct number is approximately 600
lines." Wetlands Institute Awarded Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) Grant "The Wetlands Institute
is excited to announce that the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) has
awarded them a $49,800 grant in recognition of critical conservation
work with Diamondback Terrapins. This grant renews the DCF's support of
our work for another two years, and reinforces their commitment to
reverse the decline of wildlife worldwide." As Middle Neighbors Gear Up For Fight, Parkway Hotel Hits Roadblock "A plan for a $17 million
hotel just off the Garden State Parkway is in limbo after an issue with
the wording of a recommendation from the Planning Board. The proposed
Hampton Inn would bring tax ratables and jobs to the township, an
attorney for the developer has argued. However, neighbors have spoken
against the plan, citing concerns about traffic and proximity to
residential neighborhoods." Avalon Hears Recommendations for North End Drainage Project "Borough
Engineer Thomas Thornton presented Mott MacDonald's formal
recommendations to Avalon Borough Council for the north end drainage
improvements. The study area was from 10th to 27th streets east of
Avalon Avenue. Previous recommendations based on earlier design concepts
focused on a new water collection system infrastructure of larger
drainage pipes and the augmenting of both the 11th Street and 22nd
Street pump stations. Those earlier concepts also involved improving the
outfall system, with larger pipes, but still making use of the same
locations, which discharge to both the inlet and the ocean." 'Mind-Boggling' Summer Revenue In Cape May County, Officials Say "Cape May County
officials are crediting favorable summer weather for a likely
record-breaking revenue season. In a news release, Cape May County
Tourism Director Diane Wieland points to occupancy tax collection
revenue up 8.4 percent from 2018 through July, totaling more than $7
million. The spike in occupancy tax collection indicates a minimal
increase in room rates and a "substantial uptick" in overnight guests,
according to county officials." Autumn In South Jersey Means Monarchs In Migration "This is the time of year when
the light shifts, the once harsh sun has a shimmery orange glow and
there is an invigorating crispness in the air.Nature pauses here in
South Jersey for a while as many insects and birds follow aeons-old
instinct to migrate to their warm winter palaces. Monarch butterflies
(subspecies Danaus plexippus plexippus) are among the travelers
frequenting our shores." Avalon to Receive Hydraulic Beach Fill, 475,000 Cubic Yards of Sand for North End Beaches "The Borough of Avalon
has entered into a partnership with the United States Army Corps of
Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for
a hydraulic beach fill to restore north end beaches. The project is
anticipated to place at least 475,000 cubic yards of sand on Avalon's
beachfront from 9th Street to 20th Street to restore beaches to a
federal template that existed prior storm events over the past two
years." Zoning Enforcement to Shift to Code Enforcement Office "At a recent meeting of
Avalon Borough Council, Assistant Business Administrator James Waldron
briefed council on a new plan to restructure zoning enforcement. Waldron
said that given the number of demolitions and construction projects
annually in the borough, the zoning official is overloaded with site
plan approvals and paperwork. Zoning enforcement is a burden that
borough officials want to shift elsewhere. The plan calls for enlarging
the role of the borough's code enforcement office by adding zoning
enforcement to its portfolio. This frees the zoning official from that
task and allows for focus on plan review, approvals, and paperwork
requirements." Contract Awarded for Avalon Jetty "Avalon Borough Council
approved a $200,000 contract with Mott MacDonald Sept. 11, for design,
planning and bid specifications for the rehabilitation of the 8th Street
jetty damaged by Winter Storm Jonas in 2016. The contract award begins a
process that should result in reconstruction of the jetty." A Little Off The Top: State May Rearrange Some Ocean Dunes "New Jersey, which has
waged relentless court battles to build protective sand dunes along its
coast, may take the unusual step of trimming some large dunes and using
the sand to widen the beach in front of them. The proposal would appear
to fly in the face of strenuous and costly efforts to ensure dunes are
in place along most of the state's 127-mile coastline. That included
court cases against dune opponents and people seeking financial
compensation for the loss of oceanfront property and ocean views. But a
special set of circumstances, including robust dunes that are
considerably larger than minimum standards, and a federal policy placing
a traditional sand pumping site off limits to federally funded projects,
has led U.S. and state authorities to consider 'harvesting' sand from
some dunes in Stone Harbor." New Jersey Wind Farm May Connect To Ex-Nuke Plant Equipment "A wind energy farm
planned off the coast of Atlantic City could bring its power ashore at
the site of a former nuclear power plant. Ørsted, which plans the
windmill project, said recently it would run a cable from the Atlantic
City offshore site to the former Oyster Creek nuclear plant in Lacey
Township. There already is extensive electrical transmission
infrastructure at the site. Ørsted, the Danish wind energy pioneer, says
it bought “capacity interconnection rights” at the Oyster Creek site. It
says it still can't calculate the final cost to bring power ashore,
pending additional studies." Vote to Purchase Smuggler's Cove Defeated 4-2 "Stone Harbor Borough
Council has been discussing the potential purchase of Smuggler's Cove,
an iconic spot boasting one of the borough's oldest structures and
housing a marine gas station, a bait shop and a history of service to
anglers whether novices or veterans. During council's regular business
meeting September 17th, Council President Joselyn Rich made a motion
that the borough not purchase Smuggler's Cove. It was immediately
seconded by Mantura Gallagher." Recycling Change Reminder "Due to
limited end markets and increased contamination potential, bulky mixed
rigid plastics and shredded paper have been removed from the County's
"Recommended" and "Designated" recyclables list, respectively. Changes
will take effect October 1, 2019." Stone Harbor Joins Central Dispatch "Stone Harbor Borough Council approved a $500,000 purchase of radios for the police and fire departments in preparation for the move to central dispatch. The shared services agreement with the county was also approved. Stone Harbor became the most recent municipality to make the move to countywide dispatch services. So far, police departments in Lower Township and Wildwood Crest, along with emergency medical services in Lower Township, Avalon and Stone Harbor have moved under the county communications center, located at the Lower Township Public Safety Building." Stone Harbor Joins Central Dispatch Beach Replenishment Set To Begin This Fall "Dredging and beachfill
operations are set to begin in a portion of Cape May County this fall,
officials announced. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $7.5
million contract to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company of Oak Brook, Ill.
to complete periodic beach nourishment between Avalon and Stone Harbor." Should Stone Harbor Buy Smuggler's Cove? "On multiple occasions,
Stone Harbor Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour has lamented the unenviable
position of being caught in the middle with preserving borough history
and character. At a recent Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting, she
reiterated the sentiment. 'We are sometimes criticized if we do and
criticized if we don't,' Davies-Dunhour said. Her reference was to those
among the residents who want the borough to do more to preserve elements
of the town that contribute to its special character, and those who feel
the borough should not become a landlord for a private business. At
issue is the future of Smuggler's Cove. A landmark for decades, the
business at 81st Street and the bay is often billed as a fishing
headquarters, a bait and tackle, and a marine supply store with fuel
docks." Borough to Project Budget Through '24 "Ten years can be a long
time when the challenges facing a barrier island community are mounting
as rapidly as the projected sea-level rise. As the 2020 budget
preparation process gets underway in many of Cape May County's
municipalities, the Borough of Stone Harbor is undertaking a process
that will project budget requirements to 2024. At the first unveiling of
the process during the recent Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting,
Administrator Jill Gougher promised that a subsequent five years would
be added to the projection beginning in mid-2020." Stone Harbor Point Open to Beach Vehicle Permit Holders 9/10/19 "Effective September 10,
2019 Beach Vehicle Permit holders are now able to access Stone Harbor
Point. Visit the Borough of Stone Harbor's website to access the Beach
Vehicle Permit Application. All appropriate documentation and fees must
be paid before the Beach Vehicle Permit application is issued." High Risk of Rip Currents Along Avalon Beaches Week of September 3rd "The National Weather
Service has issued an advisory for the presence of rip currents along
the coastline. Please follow all instructions provided by the Avalon
Beach Patrol as rip currents are difficult to see. Hurricane Dorian is
expected to pass to our south later this week, likely causing rough surf
and rip currents." Avalon Police Receive Third Accreditation; Top One Percent Statewide With Perfect Compliance "The Avalon Police
Department has received its third, three-year accreditation from the New
Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP). During this
process, the Avalon Police Department received a perfect 100%
compliance, putting the department in the top one percent of departments
statewide that have been re-accredited for a second time with a perfect
compliance record." Borough Hears Plans for Beach Patrol Building "Stone Harbor Borough
Council heard a presentation recently on the conceptual design of Beach
Patrol Headquarters. The building would be located on the site of the
existing facility at 95th Street and the beach. The design calls for a
structure with two floors and a crow's nest. The first floor would house
boats, vehicles, storage, and locker areas. The second floor is laid out
for office areas and a break room. The building would be used for
beach-tag sales. Restroom facilities would also be redone, with access
in the same general area, but further north to allow for a circular
drive drop-off point at the beach entrance." South Jersey Gas to Continue EFV Work, Street Paving in the Fall "Starting in mid to late
September, South Jersey Gas' contractor, Lantier Construction, will
visit Avalon again to complete a project that began in the spring with
the installation of the Excess Flow Valves (EFV's) that provide safety
to a property and neighbor during emergencies including extreme flooding
events. An additional 100 properties will be affected by this project
and notification from the utility to the customer will be provided
directly. Final full and half width street paving for the work that was
done in the Spring will begin likely in late October with all final
paving from the Spring, 2019 project to be completed by Thanksgiving
Weekend, 2019." Flood Alert System "In
August 2017, Stockton University's Coastal Research Center placed
sensors in flood-prone areas of Avalon and Longport as part of a study
of nuisance flooding. The goal was to collect data that could be tied to
weather information and tide levels for the development of a better
predictive capability, an effort to reduce property damage caused by
flooding. Stockton's Dr. Stewart Farrell and Matthew Suran went before
Avalon Borough Council recently to report on the conclusion of the
study." Cottages May Gain Second Floors "The Courts are a subset
of Stone Harbor's residential district, with small cottages, narrow
streets and the smallest buildable lots allowed in the borough. The
homes are reminiscent of the bungalows that once were staples of
summer-shore living. In the recently adopted Master Plan Reexamination
Report, the borough is confronted with recommendations some said would
drastically change the character of the community. The report recommends
additional space be allowed for storage and location of heating and air
conditioning systems. It also recommends allowing 'limited' second
floors for additional living space. According to the report, the
recommendations are a response to requests from homeowners who feel
their properties have lost value in a town increasingly dominated by
larger homes. However, not all court homeowners feel the same way." Study: Staring At Seagulls Could Prevent Them From Snatching Your Food "British researchers have
found that staring at seagulls could keep them from snatching your food.
Scientists at the University of Exeter placed a bag of chips on the
ground and tested how long it took seagulls to approach both when a
human was and wasn't watching. They conducted the study in coastal
towns. Out of 74 gulls, the researchers say that most flew away or
didn't get near, while 27 approached and 19 completed what they dubbed
the 'looking at' and 'looking away' tests. The result? The gulls, on
average, took 21 seconds longer to approach the food when being stared
at, according to the study." So Long, Inlet Sand "As bids go out for the
upcoming federal beach replenishment on Seven Mile Island, Stone Harbor
is unable to borrow sand from Hereford Inlet due to restrictions placed
on the traditional borrow areas by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
That agency's interpretation of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act has
upended the long-standing use of Hereford Inlet sand by the Army Corps
of Engineers for hydraulic beach replenishments." Ocean Galleries Hosts Jane Seymour "Ocean Galleries welcomes international artist
Jane Seymour with her latest collection of gorgeous oil paintings,
watercolors, and bronze sculptures. A multiple award winning actress,
Ms. Seymour's collection of expressive art often reflects her passions
in life and her surroundings, which is evident in her watercolors,
beachscapes, and figurative paintings." Avalon Extends Grace Period for Payment of 3rd Quarter Tax Bills "On Wednesday, July 24th the Avalon Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution to extend the grace period for the payment of 3rd quarter tax bills to August 19, 2019. This extension was necessary due to the State of New Jersey approving its budget on June 30, 2019, the last day of the fiscal year. The County of Cape May certified the tax rate to the Borough of Avalon on July 16, 2019." Avalon Council Reorganizes "Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi, and councilmembers Barbara Juzaitis and Sam Wierman were sworn in to four year terms on Avalon Borough Council during a reorganization meeting held on Monday, July 1st. Pagliughi, Juzaitis, and Wierman all receive four year terms courtesy of the May 14th, 2019 municipal election. They took their oaths of office from New Jersey Superior Court Judge Susan Sheppard." Pump Station Could be Eliminated in $10M Drainage Plan "Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton updated Avalon Borough Council on potential changes to the conceptual design of the north end drainage project
recently.
The projected $10 million project would revamp the systems which drain water from major rain events, like those experienced in 2005, 2009, and 2017, when several feet of water collected in the area, defeating the aging infrastructure in place.
Thornton said the final report would come before council for approval in July. If council then authorizes a detailed design effort, Thornton expects that effort would be completed by December, which would allow the borough to begin the process of seeking the federal and state permits." Avalon Unveils New Beach Tag Art Wall to Honor Past, Future School Contest Winners "Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi unveiled a brand new wall inside Borough Hall that honors students who have created art work for annual beach tags in the community. The tags have been photographed and enlarged, showing all of the art work of the students who have created art for beach tags dating back to 1999. The wall also includes space for artwork by future honorees." Ultimate Beach Hacks "The Inquirer recently
asked readers for their ultimate beach hacks. They got a lot of
responses, ranging from aloe cubes to heal sunburns to fitted sheets to
keep sand off beach towels and baby powder as a trick to get sand off
hands and feet. Of course, baby powder wasn't the only advice. From
U-locks to bungee cords, check out the link below for more responses..." Avalon Establishes Pollinator Habitat at Armacost Park "The Borough of Avalon has created a new pollinator habitat on the northwest corner of Armacost Park in the southern portion of the community. The new pollinator habitat is established at a site where a mowed lawn previously existed. The habitat is intended to provide a location for migratory pollinators and birds to stop during migration and help rebound the numbers of important pollinators including Monarch Butterflies on the east coast of the United States." NJ Selects Ørsted for First Offshore Wind Project "The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) June 21 unanimously granted the state's first award for offshore wind to Ørsted's Ocean Wind 1,100 megawatt (MW) project, giving the company the opportunity to build 1,100 MW of offshore wind in federal waters.
According to a recent press release, the 1,100 MW of offshore wind is expected
to power roughly 500,000 New Jersey homes and generate $1.17 billion in
economic benefits, in addition to creating an estimated 15,000 jobs over
the project life." Recycling Reminder: Do Not Place Recycling in Plastic Bags "The Borough of Stone Harbor would like to remind residents and visitors to not place your recycling in plastic bags.
Place all recyclables loose in your recycling bin." Dock Repairs Continue "Business Administrator Scott Wahl provided Avalon Borough Council with an update on repair to the public dock at 24th Street and Fifth Avenue.
The work was scheduled for completion by May 22 but ran into a series of delays. The most serious of which was the inability of the general contractor to get a subcontractor with the right skill set for elements of the work concerning the pilings." Avalon Implements $30,000 Tree Planting Grant, 89 New Trees Planted in Avalon "The Borough of Avalon has completed the execution of a $30,000 grant from the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, New Jersey Forestry Service to plant 89 new trees at key locations throughout the community. The new trees provide both environmental and aesthetic enrichment for the Borough and culminates a cooperative effort that involved Borough employees, professionals, and volunteers who have been involved in this project." 2019 Master Plan Reexamination Report "The New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL)
requires that a municipality undertake a general reexamination of its
master plan and development regulations at a minimum every ten years
(NJSA 40:55D-89). The report linked below is the culmination of the reexamination for the Borough of
Stone Harbor and fulfills the required objectives set forth in NJSA 40:55D-89." Avalon Offers New Tax and Water/Sewer Payment Drop Box for Nights, Weekends "The Borough of Avalon is making it more convenient to drop off tax, and water/sewer payments to the Avalon Tax Office. A new secure drop box is available in front of Avalon Borough Hall, at 32nd Street and Dune Drive in Avalon. This service is in addition to making payments inside Borough Hall during normal business hours, and the Borough's electronic and direct debit payment programs that are currently offered." Slow Down for Terrapins! Nesting Season Begins, Tips for Motorists "Protecting our local environment is most effective when it is a community-wide effort. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part!
Read more for information from the Wetlands Institute of Stone Harbor." Test Planned for County's Reverse 911 System "Cape May County will be testing its Code Red system June 7 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The program is a Reverse 911 system to notify residents in the event of a major storm event or disaster.
Roughly 100,000 people who have signed up for the service in Cape May County will get the message via a phone call, text, or email.
County officials use the Code Red system to notify residents and visitors in the event of an evacuation during a major storm event or in a similarly significant event." Avalon's Surfside Park Takes Shape "Avalon's new Surfside Park is nearing overall completion with finishing touches on the park being completed in early June. The Park has been constructed by Fred M. Schiavone Construction and supported by a $2 million grant from the Cape May County Open Space program. Project management has been provided by Mott MacDonald Engineers and by the Taylor Design Group." Avalon Police to Participate in "Click it or Ticket" Starting May 20th "Avalon Police will participate in the annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign which runs from May 20th through June 2nd, 2019. The campaign is designed to remind motorists and passengers to buckle up while driving in, or riding in, a motor vehicle." Borough to Shift Scavenging Policy "Bulk pickup day in Stone Harbor can mean items are put out at the curb that have use and value. In a community where a large number of property owners are not permanent residents, bulk pickup schedules offer a chance to rid the owner of items no longer wanted. Municipal ordinances state that once the items are at the curb they belong to the municipality and those who drive by seeking curbside treasures do so illegally. At its work session May 7, Stone Harbor Borough Council discussed changes to the ordinances that would allow individuals to retrieve items curbside within 72 hours of a scheduled bulk pickup date." Borough to Shift Scavenging Policy Drone, No-wake Ordinances OK'd "In an ordinance regulating the use of drones within the municipality, the borough had to retreat from an earlier attempt to ban recreational use of drones. The ordinance was adopted 'to protect the public from the hazards associated with the operation of unmanned aircraft.' " Drone, No-wake Ordinances OK'd Avalon Clean Water Initiative/Single Use Plastics Ordinance "Last year the Avalon Borough Council approved Ordinance 779-2018 that supports the Avalon Clean Water Initiative. It regulates and prevents the distribution of certain plastic items deemed to constitute a threat to the environment. Avalon and Stone Harbor have adopted very similar ordinances with advice and consultation from Dr. Lenore Tedesco at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor. Avalon's Clean Water Initiative includes this effort to remove single-use materials from our waterways; increases locations for monofilament disposal locations; and educates boaters on the importance of securing polluting materials during a day on the water." Drinking Water Quality "The Borough of Stone Harbor Annual Drinking
Water Quality Report is designed to inform you about the quality water
service we deliver to you every day. Their constant goal is to provide
you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water." Avalon Sand Back Passing Project to be Completed on or About April 30, 2019 "Avalon is in the final days of a major sand back passing project that results in restored beaches in the northern end of the community that were compromised during winter storm activity. The project is anticipated to conclude on Tuesday, April 30th and results in approximately 55,000 cubic yards of sand being back passed from a borrow area in the central part of the community to beach blocks between 9th through 15th streets that lost most of the beach to the toe of the dune system." 2019 Avalon Budget Presentation: Zero Increase in Taxes, Water/Sewer, Beach Tags "The Avalon Borough Council formally adopted
the 2019 municipal budget on April 10, 2019. The budget includes
no increases in municipal taxes, water/sewer rates, or beach tag fees.
The budget maintains a healthy surplus, and puts the Borough on a path
to eliminate all long term debt, and be essentially debt-free." Avalon Police Department Public Notice/Re-Accreditation April 20, 2019 "The Avalon Police Department is scheduled for
an on-site assessment as part of its program to achieve accreditation by
verifying that it meets recognized professional best practices.
Administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police,
the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with best practice
standards in five basic areas: the administrative function, the
personnel function, the operations function, the investigative function,
and the arrestee/detainee function." Brendan's Fund Kicks Off Their 28th Year! "It has been 28 years since the creation of
The Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund A Pediatric Cancer Fund (aka:
Brendan's Fund) serving local children and their families. For 28 years,
they have provided non-medical assistance for access to care and other
necessities to families in Cape May County and more recently
included families from Atlantic County. All net proceeds from their
fundraising is added to the annual donation to the Brendan Borek Endowed
Fund at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Your support has
been crucial to their assistance of families suffering the effects of
pediatric cancer." 2019 State of the Library - Avalon Free Public Library/Avalon History Center "Avalon Free Public Library Erin Brown and Avalon History Center Director Nina Ranalli presented the 2019 State of the Library message to Avalon Borough Council on Wednesday, April 10th.
Visit the link below to view the presentation delivered to Borough
Council." No-wake Ordinance Introduced "The Borough of Stone Harbor introduced an ordinance that would ban operating a vehicle on flooded streets in a manner that produces such wakes and waves. Individuals who operate motor vehicles on flooded streets in a manner that creates waves or wakes that cross the curb line are an increasing problem in shore communities facing more frequent inundation from heavy rain events and tidal flooding." Stone Harbor Nun Retreat to Tear Down Current Building, Sell Portion of Property "Villa Maria by the Sea, the sprawling retreat home for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary since 1937, is slated for a downgrade.
Parts of the four-acre property will be sold and the existing building will be torn down and replaced by a smaller, energy-efficient one, according to a letter sent out Monday by the property's manager, Sister James Dolores." Townsend's Inlet Bridge Update "Despite adding additional manpower and work
shifts (at times 24 hours per day of construction activity), several
construction challenges including those associated with demolition,
underwater salvage operations, and subsurface geotechnical complications
have adversely affected the bridge's completion schedule. It is
estimated that the Townsend's Inlet Bridge will not open before late
summer." Avalon Semi Annual Water Main Flushing Program "The Flushing Program will take
place weekdays during the day
from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
While flushing an area, you may
experience decreased water pressure, or
temporary discoloration.
This program will begin on April 22nd, and take approximately two (2)
weeks to complete." Seasonal Beach Tags at Pre-Season Rates Seasonal beach tags are available at a
pre-season rate of $23 through May 31st. Beach tags may be purchased via
mail, smartphone app or in person. All persons 12 and over must display
tags the Friday of Memorial weekend to Monday of Labor Day weekend,
10:00am - 5:00pm. Both boroughs are proud to offer free seasonal beach
tags to all veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Active duty
military members and their immediately families also may enjoy the
beaches without a beach tag. Borough of Stone Harbor ~ 2019 Budget Presentation "An in-depth power point presentation was given
at the Borough of Stone Harbor public hearing April 2nd." Drone Ban Grounded After Outcry "Following challenges to its first version of an ordinance which prohibited the flying of drones in the borough except under narrow business-related conditions, Stone Harbor Borough Council reintroduced a significantly changed ordinance April 2nd." Avalon Receives $150,000 Grant from NJDOT for Street Reconstruction Work "Avalon will receive a $150,000 grant for the reconstruction of a portion of 68th Street in the community. The grant is coming from the highly competitive New Jersey Department of Transportation's Fiscal Year 2019 municipal aid program. The reconstruction of a portion of 68th Street between Ocean Drive and Dune Drive is expected sometime after Labor Day weekend, 2019." Rugby Tourney Coming to Stone Harbor "At
its March 19 work session, Stone Harbor Borough Council discussed plans
for a Super Seven Rugby Tournament to be held in the borough on Labor
Day Weekend. The special event application was making its way to the
council for approval, but members indicated support for the event." No 2019 Federal Beach Replenishment for Stone Harbor "Federal hydraulic beach replenishment projects on Seven Mile Island have always encompassed the neighboring boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor. Not so in 2019.
Stone Harbor Borough Administrator Jill Gougher told the governing body March 19 that the borough had been dropped from the planned Army Corps of Engineers' project. The replenishment was to take place this fall." Borough to Run EV Charging Stations "In 2011, Avalon became the first municipality in the state to offer a public electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The initial venture was part of a public-private partnership with U-Go Stations, a company that began in 2010 to offer EV charging stations across a multi-state distributed network. At its March 13 meeting, Avalon Borough Council discussed plans for the borough to assume full responsibility for a new dual car changing station, ending the partnership with a private vendor." Stone Harbor Accorded 'Healthy Town' Designation "The Princeton-based New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute has issued its annual New Jersey
"Healthy Town" designation to eight communities participating in the Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC), a program of the Quality Institute, in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
According to a release, Stone Harbor has again been honored with the Healthy Town designation from the New Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute." 2019 Avalon Spring Sand Back Passing Project "Due to emergent conditions on Avalon's north end beaches, the Borough will be implementing a sand backpassing project to restore north end beaches. This will be the fifth sand backpassing project conducted by Avalon since 2012 to make emergency repairs to beaches in advance of the Atlantic Hurricane season, which begins June 1st." Avalon Offers Recycle Coach App, Weblink to Answer Solid Waste Collection Questions "The Borough of Avalon is providing all residents, property owners, and visitors with a new phone and website app that includes information about all solid waste, recycling, and other trash collection and disposable initiatives in the Borough. Avalon has partnered with the
"Recycle Coach", provided free of charge to the Borough via an agreement with the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority." Bulkhead Projects Get Underway In Avalon in Late March "The Borough will be replacing two deteriorated street-end bulkheads at the following locations: 1) 32nd Street at Ocean Drive, and 2) Fifth Avenue at 24th Street. Work is scheduled to begin at the 32nd Street bulkhead on March 20th." Mayor Authorizes South Jersey Gas to Install Excess Flow Valves Before Memorial Day Weekend "Under the direction of Mayor Martin Pagliughi, South Jersey Gas will be performing the installation of approximately 650 Excess Flow Valves (EFVs) throughout the Borough starting in late March and ending before Memorial Day weekend." Openings Suspended on 96th Street Bridge "Openings of the 96th Street Bridge will be
suspended until repairs are completed. Estimated time for completion is
approximately 2 weeks. The bridge will remain open for traffic. The USCG
has been notified and has sent out a notice to boaters." Avalon Surfside Park to Feature "Surfside Live", "Surfside Jam" This Summer "Avalon's brand new Surfside Park will present
fun activities for families and young children throughout the summer.
Throughout July and August, special events for children will be held on
Monday evenings starting at 6:30pm called "Surfside Live", and Friday
evenings through summer there will be a special "Surfside Jam", also
starting at 6:30pm." Army Corps Announces Partnership With Wetlands Institute for Seven Mile Island Living Laboratory "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'
Philadelphia District announced the launch of the Seven Mile Island
Living Laboratory, an initiative designed to advance and improve
dredging and marsh restoration techniques in coastal New Jersey through
innovative research, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and practical
application." 2019 Avalon Budget: No Increases in Taxes, Water/Sewer, Beach Tags; Move Towards Elimination of Long Term Debt "The Avalon Borough Council introduced the 2019 municipal budget that totals $27,855,139 and includes no increase in the municipal tax rate, water and sewer rates, and beach tag fees. This budget substantially moves the Borough towards a position of eliminating long term debt." Townsend's Inlet Bridge Reconstruction Project "Two week look ahead for work at Townsends Inlet Spans 1-7 replacement 2/28/19 thru 3/14/19: Information was provided to the Borough of Avalon on Thursday, February 28th regarding the next two weeks of construction on the Townsend's Inlet Bridge that connects northern Avalon to Sea Isle City. This is a County-owned bridge and repairs are under the jurisdiction of the County." Townsend's Inlet Bridge Reconstruction Project New Policy for Kayak Storage Permits
"Stone Harbor Property Owners may apply for a Kayak space starting March 1, 2019 and continuing until March 31, 2019, proof of property ownership is required. Spaces are limited to two (2) per property." Stone Harbor Reviews Lagoons, Oceanfront "Stone Harbor Borough Council received two reports from Dr. Stewart Farrell of the Stockton University Coastal Research Center focused on the current state of seven back bay lagoons and the borough ocean shoreline. The success of expensive recent back bay dredging and oceanfront beach replenishment projects in Stone Harbor were tested recently as the borough looked at how well the improvements from those projects have held up 18 months to two years later. " 95th Street Reconstruction Update "Please be aware that the road construction along 95th Street will include some periodic road closings and water main
turn-offs throughout the duration of the project, which is to be completed by April 27, 2019." Warming Center Designated "At its February 13th meeting, Avalon Borough Council voiced support to share its Code Blue alert warming center with Stone Harbor. The warming center is in the Avalon Senior Center, adjacent to Borough Hall and next door to the borough's Public Safety Building." Jitney Seeks $3 Rides "Avalon's jitney service began in 2013. Initial police reviews credited the service with reducing the number of driving while intoxicated arrests during the summer. Now the financial health of the service is under pressure from ride-share services like Uber. Jitney operators want to move to a flat rate of $3 at all times. They argue that the adjustment will allow them to better compete during the higher volume late evening and early morning." Ready for 5G? "Almost a year ago, Verizon Wireless
approached Avalon with a request to install a series of small area nodes
across the borough. The argument was that the nodes would boost capacity
in the most heavily trafficked areas of the cellular network, also
offloading pressure on the main network in preparation for new
technologies like fifth-generation cellular wireless (5G)." Spring News - Stone Harbor View the Borough's Spring Newsletter for
information on recent Stone Harbor news, activities and happenings. Avalon to Dredge Portion of Pennsylvania Harbor in Advance of Spring Boating Season "The Borough of Avalon will conduct a
maintenance dredging project in Pennsylvania Harbor that will clear the
public navigation channel in advance of the spring and summer boating
seasons. The project will result in over 1,300 cubic yards of material to be dredged out of the harbor just west of the street end at 21st Street. A Notice to Proceed will be issued to the contractor before the end of February; it is expected that the project will be conducted in March and conclude before mid-April." Avalon CO Reaches Accord Over Sanctions "The state Department of Community Affairs
(DCA) and the Borough of Avalon building inspector have reached an
agreement in the matter concerning violations of the Uniform
Construction Code, essentially settling the issue. In addition, the
borough is in the process of purchasing state-approved home warranties
for homeowners who are not properly covered on their modular homes by
Avalon Development Group, now out of business." Resort's Value Hits $4.85 Billion "A year after a borough-wide reevaluation
added $363 million to the cumulative assessed property values in Stone
Harbor, the natural growth in assessed valuation continues to grow
through new home construction." Avalon Mayor Swears in New Borough Clerk, Deputy Borough Clerk "Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi conducted formal swearings in for the position of Borough Clerk and Deputy Borough Clerk on Friday, February 1st in the Council meeting room. Danielle Nollett is the new Borough Clerk, replacing Marie Hood who retired; Kristen Gannon is the new Deputy Municipal Clerk, replacing Nollett who was elevated from that position." Avalon OKs Dredging "Avalon Borough Council authorized a bid process Jan. 23 for a back bay dredging project in the public channel west of 21st Street in Pennsylvania Harbor. The channel was last dredged in 2015. Estimates are that it has filled with as much as 1,750 cubic yards of a silt-like material." 2019 Changes to Avalon Construction Rules, Regulations, and Practices "At the Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 meeting of the Avalon Borough Council, the governing body held the second reading, public hearing, and final adoption of ordinance changes that regulate construction activity in the Borough of Avalon." 2019 Changes to Avalon Construction Rules, Regulations, and Practices Borough Saves Over $42,000 Via Self-Initiated Flood Insurance Audit "The Borough of Avalon will realize over $42,000 in savings as a result of an internal, self-initiated flood insurance audit that analyzed the coverage for all facilities in the Borough of Avalon. The audit was conducted by the office of Mayor Martin Pagliughi and by the Borough's claims adjuster." South Jersey Gas Pipeline Replacement Project To Begin In Stone Harbor "South Jersey Gas is improving our natural gas infrastructure that provides safe, reliable affordable natural gas to 385.000 customers across southern New Jersey. South Jersey Gas Pipeline Replacement Project To Begin In Stone Harbor Avalon Obtains Federal and State Permits to Keep Road to CDF Permanently "The Borough of Avalon has received the
appropriate federal and state permits necessary to keep the road to the
Borough's confined disposal facility (CDF) as a permanent structure.
The acquisition of the permits allows the road to remain in place for
future years, guarantees access to the facility by Avalon and other
dredging partners, and eliminates the expense of removing the road that
was put in place for Avalon's recently completed back bay dredging
project." Work to Begin on 35th Street Construction Project on January 11th
"A Notice to Proceed has been issued to Mathis Construction Company,
Inc. for the reconstruction of 35th Street between First Avenue and Dune
Drive. This project will begin on Friday, January 11th with an
evaluation of test pits on the easterly and westerly side of the
project." Avalon Participates in 646 Safety Training Sessions, Receives Dividend from Insurance Fund "The Borough of Avalon stands atop the list of
40 communities in the Atlantic County Joint Insurance Fund (ACMJIF)
regarding the number of safety training courses taken by its employees.
Through the end of September, 2018, Avalon municipal employees have
participated in 646 training sessions which is the most among Fund
members. Avalon employees have accounted for 520 online training
sessions which is the highest among any of the member communities.
Employees also have 126 classroom visits, third overall in the ACMJIF." Reminder From The Borough Of Stone Harbor: No Dogs at Stone Harbor Point & Drone Usage "Stone Harbor Point is a Wildlife Conservation
Area and there are strict guidelines in place to protect this area.
Please be conscious of the rules and regulations and respect the
importance and beauty of of this natural habitat." Cape May County Unveils Online Flood Risk Map System "The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has launched a flood risk mapping system that will show the real flood risk on streets and neighborhoods as it relates to specific storm events." Cape May County Unveils Online Flood Risk Map System Notice: Reconstruction of Portion of 20th Street Begins Week of December 17th "The reconstruction of a portion of 20th Street between First and Avalon avenues is expected to begin mid-week during the week of December 17th. The contractor for the project is Asphalt Paving Systems. They will be installing well points on the south side of this one-block section of street to begin the construction process." Notice: Reconstruction of Portion of 20th Street Begins Week of December 17th Barbara Juzaitis Joins Avalon Borough Council to Fill Unexpired Term "The Avalon Borough Council has selected longtime resident Barbara Juzaitis to serve the remainder of an unexpired term on Council vacated by the retirement of Dick Dean. Juzaitis was sworn in to her position by Mayor Martin Pagliughi during the Wednesday, December 12th Borough Council meeting." Barbara Juzaitis Joins Avalon Borough Council to Fill Unexpired Term Avalon Rescue Squad Purchases New Ambulance, Funding Provided Through Donations "The Avalon Rescue Squad, Inc. has purchased a
new 2018 Ford E450 Horton Ambulance. The purchase of the new ambulance
was made possible through the Squad's own three-year fundraising effort
without the need for financing nor funds from the Avalon municipal
budget. The Avalon Rescue Squad is a 501c(3) provides emergency medical
services through a partnership with the Borough of Avalon." Standard and Poor's Awards Avalon Exemplary AAA Bond Rating "The Borough of Avalon has achieved an AAA
bond rating from Standard and Poor's, the highest rating offered by the
financial service. The AAA rating was confirmed in a letter sent to the
Borough on October 11th, 2018. Avalon has now maintained an AAA bond
rating with both Standard and Poor's and Moody's Investment services for
over a decade." Look Ahead: County Update on Work on Townsend's Inlet Bridge "Townsend's Inlet Spans 1-7 two week look
ahead for the period 10/25/18 thru 11/8/18. As of 10/25/18, the
contractor successfully stabilized pier 5 and the cantilevered span 5 to
permit the continuation of the demolition process. By 10/26/18 the
superstructure of spans 5, 6 and 7 will have been removed from the
bridge. During the week of 10/29/18 thru 11/7/18 the contractor
will be saw cutting piers 5 and 6 and will remove these piers." Construction Begins Late October for Avalon's New Surfside Park "Construction is expected to begin on Monday,
October 22nd on a major new addition to the Borough of Avalon's
recreational facilities. Surfside Park, a brand new park with abundant
green space and a new playground, will be constructed adjacent to the
Avalon boardwalk at 30th Street." South Jersey Gas Resiliency/Service Improvement Project Details, Phase 2/3 "This project increases resiliency and reduces the number of gas leaks calls that occasionally develop throughout the year, and are more prevalent during recovery from major storm events, like Hurricane Sandy. Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the project is coming starting the week of Monday, October 22nd. This will result in 50,000 feet of new gas main being placed largely in the north end of the community, with work to be conducted on portions of Avalon Avenue and First Avenue, along with laterals to adjacent homes, where necessary." South Jersey Gas Resiliency/Service Improvement Project Details, Phase 2/3 Avalon Resident Dr. Loretta Finnegan Honored by First Lady in Philadelphia "Longtime Avalon resident Dr. Loretta Finnegan was honored by First Lady Melania Trump and other officials during Mrs. Trump's visit to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Wednesday, October 17th. Mrs. Trump delivered the welcoming remarks at the National Convening on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services.' Avalon Resident Dr. Loretta Finnegan Honored by First Lady in Philadelphia Borough of Stone Harbor ~ Progress Report on Hazard Mitigation Initiatives View the detailed progress report on Hazard Mitigation Initiatives that the Borough of Stone Harbor has chosen to pursue in the future to reduce the effects of hazards. Borough of Stone Harbor ~ Progress Report on Hazard Mitigation Initiatives Stone Harbor Launches Participation in the "Recycle Coach" APP "Not sure what can be recycled? When your trash and recycling days are? Bulk Trash Pick-up day? Recycle Coach provides accurate, up-to-date information on Stone Harbor recycling schedules in a handy, user-friendly mobile format." Avalon Now Hosts Own Independent Weather Station for Storm Tracking, Historical Archiving "The Avalon Office of Emergency Management has installed a new weather system that provides continual weather monitoring and maintains historical data for the Borough for many years to come. A new Davis Vantage Pro 2 weather station has been installed on the radio tower adjacent to the public safety building." Avalon's Independent Weather Station Townsend's Inlet Bridge to Close September 17th, 2018 for Construction "The County of Cape May has announced that the Townsend's Inlet Bridge will be closed to the public starting Monday, September 17th, 2018 and will likely remain closed through May 22nd, 2019. The purpose of the closure is to conduct four separate rehabilitation projects on the bridge, including major work on the Avalon side of the span." Townsend's Inlet Bridge Closure Off Season Residential Property Check Available To Homeowners "The Stone Harbor Police Department wants to ensure that all homeowners are aware that off season residential property checks are available. Since the Borough of Stone Harbor is a seasonal resort the Police Department can routinely inspect the exterior of your property to make sure that it is secure. This is a "Free" service that the department offers to property owners." Off Season Residential Property Check Available To Homeowners | View/Print Participation Form Reminder: New Overlay Area Code for Avalon, Southern New Jersey "To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new area 640 code is being added to the same geographic area currently served by the existing 609 area code in New Jersey. This process is known as an area code overlay, and requires a new dialing procedure. In connection with this overlay, all seven-digit dialed calls between area codes 609 and 856 will be eliminated and will require a new dialing procedure."
New Overlay Area Code for Avalon, Southern New Jersey Lowest Overall Tax Rate in Cape May County "The Borough of Avalon has again achieved the
lowest overall tax rate in Cape May County. New certifications were
released by the Cape May County Board of Taxation." Avalon Municipal Budget 2018 The Avalon Borough Council formally introduced
the 2018 municipal budget at the Wednesday, February 28th Council
meeting. Stone Harbor Municipal Budget 2018 A special meeting was held on February 17th to
review the 2018 municipal budget for the Borough of Stone Harbor. Annual Report - Stone Harbor Beaches This annual report presents the status of the
beaches and dunes within the Borough of Stone Harbor from October 2016
to October 2017. Return to News | Return to Events
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