Anti-Anglesea Petition Given to Council, Business Owner Threatens Legal Action

NORTH WILDWOOD ─ “I will take appropriate legal action,” said Boardwalk business owner James Di Petrillo at the Aug. 16 City Council meeting. Approaching the council with a petition containing over 500 signatures, Di Petrillo urged mayor and council to take action to stop the non-binding question of changing the city’s name to the original Anglesea. 
“To me, it does not make any sense,” said Di Petrillo. He also citied rumors of discontent with paying two school taxes as the reason residents are for the name change. “I’m going to stop it (the non-binding question) now,” said Di Petrillo as he claimed to have more signatures than resident Ed Wheaton, who presented his petition to the council over a month ago to consider the possibility.
The meeting commenced with various communications being accepted and filed and an ordinance authorizing a “Right-of-Way Agreement w/ Crown Castle for Telecommunications Equipment.” The ordinance was presented upon second reading.
City Administrator Kevin Yecco informed members of “additional communications” between Crown Castle and City Solicitor William Kaufmann.
According to Yecco, two locations included in the right-of-way are under revision, namely pole number 9. Crown Castle wishes to move the pole across the street while the city wishes it to be removed. According to Kaufmann, both sides are seeking “common ground” in finding a solution. The existing poles being replaced belong to Verizon and Atlantic City Electric.
Yecco assured that no issues existed with the other locations and said he presented the information “for the record” and “good of the order.”
Under resolutions, North Wildwood will support the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2016 Statewide Crackdown.”
The city will receive a grant for Fiscal Year 2016 on a 100 percent state and zero percent municipality cost-share basis, in an amount not to exceed $133,450 for emergency beach repair and stabilization measures.
That is payment for its “emergency dune construction.” 
“This came about the day after the storm (Winter Storm Jonas),” Mayor Patrick Rosenello explained.
The initial dune repair involved the breach at Third Avenue and was approved by the DEP commissioner. Funds were already used and will be reimbursed. According to Rosenello, a FEMA grant for dune repair is still pending.
North Wildwood also expressed opposition to “Seismic Air Gun Blasting on the New Jersey Coast;” as explained by City Clerk Scott Jett, the blasting would negatively affect marine life and coastal ecology. It could lead to offshore oil drilling.
After the remaining resolutions had been passed, and Councilman James Kane commended North Wildwood police, fire, and public works for a successful “National Night Out,” Council President Salvatore Zampirri opened the floor for public comment.
That was when Di Petrillo gave reasons why he is against the potential name change of North Wildwood.
His first reason concerned his T-shirt sales and the decals he impresses on the shirts – if the name were to change, Di Petrillo says he would lose sales.
“We put North Wildwood on the map,” he continued, referring to the high level of sales of shirts and other souvenirs bearing the North Wildwood emblem.
“Why change the name?” Di Petrillo asked. Zampirri answered that many residents wish to “get back to their roots” and establish identity. Di Petrillo, who garnered signatures from customers in his store, cited other residents’ discontent with paying two school taxes as the reason. “I’m going to stop it now,” he added.
Mayor Rosenello addressed Di Petrillo’s concerns, emphasizing that the idea of a name-change “did not originate” with the council. “This wasn’t instigated by the city,” Rosenello stressed.
Rosenello explained how Wheaton presented a “very informal petition” to the council for consideration. After research conducted by Kaufmann and Jett, the council decided to place a non-binding question on the upcoming November ballot. A non-binding question will serve as an opinion poll for the residents of North Wildwood.
Rosenello also added that he asked Wheaton to hold off on gathering more signatures for the good of the city as a whole.
“Wheaton was very gracious,” Rosenello said. He continued “It’s been a great conversation” in the community and how focus had been given to North Wildwood’s heritage and history.
If the question was binding, Rosenello explained that the city would be obligated to change the name to Anglesea, regardless of the number of votes.
Di Petrillo countered citing the cost to North Wildwood and how addresses, deeds, official vehicles, phone books, store items, and even road cones would have to be changed.
Seeing no benefits to anyone, Di Petrillo said, “I will take appropriate legal action.” D’Petrello, who is from East Brunswick, says that “it is not fair” that second home owners do not have a voice in the process.
After the meeting had adjourned, Rosenello told the Herald that the non-binding question “Is the right way to go” and will be an indicator of both sides represented.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.