WILDWOOD CREST – Deputy Mayor Joseph Franco expressed concern at the Sept. 10 Borough Commission meeting that the town was taking on too much debt at one time – debt that the taxpayers have to pay.

At hand were plans for installing bollards at Centennial Park. Franco said the borough was considering spending nearly $300,000 for the bollards, which are sturdy posts that are often used to keep vehicles out of an area. In addition, the borough is looking at installing nine security cameras at a cost of nearly $200,000.

Franco said this was on top of upgrade costs for Borough Hall, estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million.

“We have seven other parks; are we doing those, too, or just this park?” he asked. “I’m just concerned the cost will balloon up.”

“Where is the priority and how much are we spending for these projects?”

Commissioner Joseph Schiff, the borough’s director of public safety, said it was a matter of public safety. He said he has been discussing safety and security with Police Chief Robert Lloyd, and the priority seemed to be to install the bollards to secure the park against vehicles. He said discussion of the type of barrier to use has been ongoing.

“I still believe public safety and the parks are 100% essential,” Schiff said.

He added that, right now, he is “hoping something doesn’t happen.”

Regarding the security cameras, Schiff said there was an incident at the splash pad, and they feel the cameras are important to protect the borough from litigation.

“So, what are we doing first?” Franco asked.

Schiff said Centennial Park is approved to be the first area for upgrades.

Mayor Don Cabrera said there was a recent walk-through at Centennial Park that included himself, the borough engineer, the landscape architect, interim administrator Francine Springer, deputy administrator Trish Feketics, the police chief and the captain. He said they are now waiting for details from the architect.

Franco said as they are considering what to do, his fellow commissioners should think about how much debt Americans have to take on at this time, not just in Wildwood Crest, but around the country. He said that nearly $500,000 added to perhaps $5 million for Borough Hall is a lot of spending

“When does the spending stop? This is outrageous,” he said.

“When the need stops,” Schiff replied.

Franco said the borough is leading people to a point where they won’t be able to afford their personal debt.

“That’s why we’re phasing it in,” Schiff said, adding he didn’t know why Franco was questioning the spending. “I think that you know better,” he said.

“It’s not your money,” Franco replied.

“It is our money,” Schiff said. “I pay taxes, too.”

Schiff told Franco he was blowing the matter out of proportion, and it was up to the Police Department and public safety to prioritize security needs.

“I strongly believe financial security is part of public safety,” Franco said after the meeting. “And if we lose sight of that, we may eventually have to cut essential services for residents.”

He said the next four years are critical for Wildwood Crest, with many people on fixed incomes, and local business owners are already reporting revenue down by more than 20%.

“On top of that, credit card debt and car loans are at all-time highs, not to mention electric bills,” Franco said. “How can we ask residents to pay for major projects when so many are struggling to cover their monthly bills?”

Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.