By LAUREN HUGGINS
WILDWOOD – Would the Joint Construction Office of the Wildwoods’ headquarters be able to pass its own inspections?
Newly-appointed Business Administrator Matthew Tomlin isn’t so sure.
“The building has several serious maintenance problems,” Tomlin told the JCOW board on Aug. 25.
The state of the office, located at 4004 Pacific Ave., was a project he had “thrown himself into” since his first day on the job, he said.
“This is their livelihood,” Tomlin said of the JCOW staff. “Even a coat of paint can make you feel better.”
A fresh coat of paint notwithstanding, Tomlin said the building’s heating system couldn’t be used because the chimney is “inoperable.”
Instead of looking into repairing the aging system, Tomlin suggested that the best course of action would be to install a new combination heating and air conditioning system.
That cost, he estimated, could run around $10,000. Tomlin said that’s about the amount JCOW has budgeted for building maintenance.
“So before we focus on getting a new heating system, we need new windows,” said Tomlin. “Some of those panes you could stick your fingers through.”
Staff, he said, complained that windows did little to keep the heat in during the winter and did nothing but let in hot air during the summer.
According to Tomlin, eight new windows would cost approximately $2,800.
Carpets, he added, also needed shampooing.
“What about the fire system?” asked board member Floyd Spiegel. “Is it tested monthly?”
Tomlin said that he didn’t know, but that he would begin administering monthly tests.
Tomlin asked if there was a building committee that he should report to.
“We used to have one,” said chairperson Ernie Troiano.
Troiano asked board members Speigel, Ed Koehler, and Chris Fox to rejuvenate the once forgotten committee.
“We need to get this started now, especially the windows,” Tomlin told the board. “It will be November before you know it.”
“And it doesn’t look good that the building our inspection office is in, is a building that needs inspection,” noted board member Ray Townsend.
“These issues have to be addressed,” added board member Kevin Yecco. “People have the right to work in a safe and secure building.”
The board voted unanimously to give Tomlin approval to spend up to $5,000 on initial building repairs.
Contact Huggins at: (609) 886-8600 ext. 25 or lhuggins@cmcherald.com
