VILLAS – Lower Township Mayor Frank Sippel presented his State of the Township address at the Wednesday, Jan. 17, meeting, highlighting township events and council actions related to its $32.2 million budget.
The 2023 budget, he said, ended with a balance of more than $9.7 million, the highest ever. The township benefited in 2023 from the 3% occupancy tax, which added more than $737,000 to the coffers.
There were 905 short-term rental licenses issued in 2023, when the occupancy tax was adopted; there were an estimated 750 short-term rental properties in the township.
The township also received more than $2.5 million in grants during 2023, including nearly $850,000 from the county Open Space Program for Diamond Beach. The township’s bond rating was upgraded from AA- to AA.
“I’m pretty proud to talk about these numbers,” Sippel said.
The township added $16.3 million in taxable property value to the rolls and nearly $200,000 in added assessments. The township’s total ratables base is $3.7 billion.
The tax collector’s office collected more than $74 million in taxes and other municipal charges in 2023. The unaudited tax collection rate for 2023 was 99.07%, Sippel said.
The mayor said the township also received close to half a million dollars in bank interest during the year.
Sippel’s presentation covered numerous aspects of the township, which is 32 square miles and has 23,000 residents. The township is home to the Cape May County Airport and the New Jersey terminal of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
The mayor highlighted a number of the Township Council’s administrative actions, including passing an ordinance dealing with a juvenile curfew and a resolution establishing a shared services agreement with Wildwood Crest for municipal court.
Sippel also mentioned working to improve traffic-calming measures in Schellenger’s Landing and the expected receipt of the governor’s We Value Our Veterans Community Award. The award was for renaming Station Road as Veterans Way, and for creating dedicated parking spaces for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.
The mayor noted some changes in the Police Department, such as introducing drones, which are used following strict guidelines and are under the oversight of the police chief. The devices are intended to improve services related to public safety, including lifesaving operations. The department licensed 12 new operators for ATVs.
The department also added its first deputy chief and is participating in a pilot program that connects law enforcement with mental health clinicians when they are responding to incidents where mental and behavioral health emergencies are occurring.
Sippel spoke about a state Division of Fish and Wildlife project to upgrade the Higbee Beach area. The project, which he said would probably begin in March, will “visually open up Pond Creek and freshwater habitat,” providing viewing access via an observation deck, nature trails and overlooks. The $33 million project is being funded by the state and federal governments.
The mayor gave a brief overview of completed 2023 capital improvement projects, including more than a half-dozen streets in a neighborhood off Breakwater Road that were reconstructed and paved and got drainage work. New pavilions were built at David C. Douglass Park, and a bathroom was constructed at Lincoln Boulevard and the beach.
In 2023 there were a number of special events sponsored by the township. A concert was held Aug. 1 at Freeman Douglass Park that raised $3,600 for the Children’s Assistance Fund. Sippel also mentioned the annual Veterans Day parade, which included members of Lower Cape May Regional High School and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The township held a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Naval Air Station Wildwood. The mayor said the event would probably be held there again this year. Holiday events included the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, and the Haunted Trail Walk.
Sippel cited the Office of Emergency Management, which coordinates all emergency responses and planning for large-scale events, such as the annual Escape the Cape race and the July 4 fireworks event. It also coordinates with the Seashore Community Church of the Nazarene for a warming center in winter.
The mayor also highlighted activities involving Public Works, including regular leaf pickups. That topic was addressed later by Public Works Superintendent Gary Douglas, who said leaf collection might have to be rethought because storm grates are being blocked by leaves.
Bids for reconstruction of Wildwood Avenue will be sought in April; drainage work will be in the design phase to address flooding on Francis, Cardinal and West Wilde avenues, as well as Rose Lane and Drumbed Road. Construction of beach paths went out to bid on Jan. 17.
Planning and zoning activities included 22 subdivision and 19 site-plan approvals over the past year and the addition of three new members to the Planning Board. The construction office issued 1,288 permits and 120 permit updates, and completed 4,387 inspections.
Permit fees amounted to $688,689 in 2023. Code enforcement received 677 complaints, with 5% of them (37) receiving a summons. The office responded to 510 “dogs on the beach” infractions.
The Bureau of Fire Safety conducted 1,841 rental inspections, along with business inspections, home sale inspections and permit inspections.
Sippel outlined the work performed by the township clerk’s office, including issuing 300 permits for yard sales, 130 marriage licenses, 312 business licenses and 1,011 dog licenses.
He pointed out the Aviation Sports Complex project, proposed by a private developer who wants to build the facility at Cape May County Airport. The domed facility would not be a burden on taxpayers, he said.
Sippel said the goal for the 2024 municipal budget is to come in with a zero-percent municipal tax increase. He said the township has held its first budget meeting and plans to introduce the budget in March.
Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
