CREST HAVEN – Juveniles needing detention from Cape May County had been taken to Atlantic County. However, that facility is at capacity and can no longer accept Cape May County juveniles.
The Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday, Nov. 14, that will send juveniles in need of detention 152 miles north to Hackensack, Bergen County.
That county has a 154-bed facility deemed a “highly qualified JJC (Juvenile Justice Commission) licensed facility.” It will cost the county $300 per day per individual from Dec. 1, 2023, until June 30, 2024. After that, the price will increase to $325 per day from July 1, 2024, until Dec. 31, 2024. Bergen County will submit a monthly invoice for its services.
“All efforts will be made to ensure the Cape May County youth are provided a bed,” according to the resolution.
Lease Approved for Crest Haven Nursing Home
After several months of impassioned comments by employees opposing the privatization of Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the board authorized a lease agreement with Allaire Health Systems on Nov. 14.
The firm made a presentation at the 2 p.m. caucus before the regular 3 p.m. meeting.
The 180-bed skilled nursing facility, on 12.85 acres east of the Garden State Parkway at 12 Moore Road, will be leased by Allaire.
The facility will continue to be operated as a long-term care skilled nursing facility with sub-acute rehabilitation onsite.
The resolution noted that Allaire’s proposal, in the county’s determination, was “responsive” to its request for proposals. The contract was awarded to Allaire in a prior resolution.
The county and Allaire “have successfully negotiated the terms and conditions of the Interim Management and Administrative Services Agreement, Lease Agreement, Addendum to Lease Agreement, and Operations Transfer Agreement.”
Health Department Renovations OK’d
The headquarters of the County Health Department, just north of the county Administration Building, will get a nearly $4-million upgrade to its HVAC system.
A resolution passed by the board, Nov. 14, awarded a $3.94-million contract to Dolan Mechanical Inc., of Sicklerville, for the work.
Contracts for Jail Inmate Services Approved
Correct RX Pharmacy Services Inc., based in Hanover, Maryland, won a two-year contract to provide pharmaceutical services to the county jail.
The resolution noted that four proposals were received, of which three were evaluated. Correct RX Pharmacy Services Inc. was deemed best qualified. The firm will also have three one-year extensions to its contract.
When inmates make outgoing telephone calls, the service will be provided by Global Tel-Link Corp., doing business as Viapath Technologies.
The firm was deemed the best of the three proposals received.
The length of the contract is one year with two one-year extensions.
The county approved an application and execution of a contract with the state Department of Corrections for $100,000 for the county reentry coordinators program from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
The money will be used “principally for director program services to evaluate and assist incarcerated persons in correctional facility with post-release treatment and reentry services,” according to the resolution.
Historic Preservation, Open Space Projects OK’d
Forty-five days had passed since introduction, and the board gave its approval to the following Historic Preservation and Open Space projects:
- Cape May-owned Allen A.M.E. bell tower and façade project on the former church, which is listed on the state and national Registers of Historic Places, $240,000.
- Tuckahoe Train Station roof restoration project, $36,500.
- Sea Isle City Dog Park, $820,000.
- Wildwood Crest Arts Pavilion, $1.04 million.
- Lower Township Diamond Beach Park, $846,289.
- Woodbine Eco-Park, $2.98-million.
Exotic Animals Disaster Response
The county approved a memorandum of understanding with the nonprofit Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery, of Fort Worth, Texas, should the need arise “in response to incidents that place exotic animals in crisis.”
The resolution noted that the entity “manages and coordinates an emergency response network that fills a unique need in the exotic animal industry by facilitating the provision of experienced personnel to exotic animal facilities such as zoos, in terms of natural disasters or catastrophic events.”
The resolution calls for the service to end on Nov. 30, 2026.
Homeless Grant Funding Approved
A $503,370 grant from the state Department of Human Services was accepted for the coming year.
According to the resolution, the money will be used to provide programs and services for Social Services for the Homeless Program. That will include food, shelter, case management, prevention and transportation.
The county Department of Social Services will administer the program.
County Seeks $3.4 Million for Transportation
A grant was approved for submission to the state Department of Transportation seeking $3.4 million from the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which would aid county road upgrades.
