Avalon Council Appoints Burns to Vacant Post

AVALON – Borough Council moved quickly July 22 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Councilman David Ellenberg two weeks ago. Saying “It is important for the Borough of Avalon to have all positions filled,” Council President Richard Dean supported filling the vacancy. 
Council had 30 days from Ellenberg’s July 9 resignation to appoint someone to the seat or the position would have remained vacant until the Nov. 3 general election. 
In any case, voters will elect someone to complete Ellenberg’s term which expires June 30, 2017.
William “Bill” Burns was appointed to council by a 4-0 vote. Burns was active in the campaign to get current members Dean and Charles P. Covington reelected this past May. 
In that election, Dean and Covington, along with Mayor Martin Pagliughi, ran as a slate under the banner “Team Avalon.” 
Dean noted “Bill represents the same philosophy of governance that has been the focus and mantra of Team Avalon.” Dean added that Burns’ appointment would retain “the harmony within the council and the close working relationship with the mayor that voters endorsed in the May election.”
In that election, Covington and Dean faced opposition for the two council seats available from local businessman James Lutz. It was the first time a council seat had been opposed since 2007. Lutz was present at the council meeting to see Burns selected and sworn.
Burns is a year-round Avalon resident.  He is currently a commissioner at the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority where he has served in that capacity for 23 years.
He is also president of Burns Construction Consulting, LLC since 2007 and of Burns Associates since 1992. Burns is also a past president of Avalon Chamber of Commerce.
Burns has served numerous Avalon charitable and civic organizations including nearly 10 years with the Avalon Board of Education.  He is a former board member of the United Way of Cape May County, and a 20-year member of the Avalon Republican Club. 
Swimming Pool Draining
Council used much of its work session to discuss proposed revisions to building and construction regulations concerning the drainage of swimming pools.
Residents have complained to council that many contractors are violating regulations by draining pools in ways that do not minimize sand buildup in the sanitary sewer system or are discharging water that has already been chlorinated into the street.
Amendments to the regulations will make enforcement by the borough more effective. One concern raised by residents is that penalties for violations are not sufficiently high to act as a deterrent in most situations. 
No copy of the proposed changes has been made public at this time and no formal action was taken at the meeting. 
Municipal Court Sharing
Council also ratified a shared services agreement with the Borough of Stone Harbor for municipal court administrator services for a period of three years.  Stone Harbor has already made public its plan to retain the services of Avalon Municipal Judge George B. Neidig, Jr. when current Stone Harbor Municipal Judge John Fowler retires this summer. 
While that arrangement will not be a formal shared services agreement, it will result in Neidig serving both boroughs.
The next meeting of borough council will be Aug. 12, at 4 p.m.  For information, visit www.avalonboro.net. 
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.