STONE HARBOR — Borough officials have decided to support neighboring Avalon as a “friend of the court” in its opposition to the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) State Aid Agreement, which Avalon officials believe is vague.
The appeal is now in the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division, where oral argument is scheduled for early fall.
Stone Harbor’s decision to join Avalon follows a similar decision made by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders to also oppose the State Aid Agreement. The county is also a “friend of the court” in this lawsuit.
Avalon officials said the agreement requires “sufficient” public parking, but without specific guidelines. The agreement would also require public restrooms every one half mile. Shore communities must sign the State Aid Agreement before getting permits and funding requested from the DEP or the Federal Government for beach replenishment projects.
Avalon was able to negotiate an emergency beach fill with the NJDEP for a North End beach fill last month without having to sign the State Aid Agreement.
“I was grateful that the leadership at the Department had an open mind and allowed us to do the beach fill that was needed with no major concessions on our end. But the fact of the matter still remains that the agreement is seriously flawed, and Avalon intends to fight it in court,” Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi said.
“I believe elected officials in other shore communities and shore counties need to read the document, understand what it means, and join the growing list of government entities who oppose this policy.”
Municipal leaders in Surf City have also joined Avalon’s lawsuit regarding the State Aid Agreement.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com
Cape May County – I’d like to suggest to the Herald that they leverage spout offs draw and replace some of the ads for their paper with a few paid ads that you probably can charge a little extra for. Lots of people…
