Beach Refill Project To End by June 29

AVALON – Avalon Borough Council received an update on its beach-replenishment project April 22. According to Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, contractor for the project, has confirmed a schedule that will have the work completed by June 29. The project calls for 700,000 cubic yards of sand to be distributed across beaches from the north end at Eighth Street to 26th Street.
Given the extent of beach-fill project in Strathmere, there had been some concern that Great Lakes, contractor for both municipalities, would be unable to handle the spring schedules in both locations.
The latest schedule calls for Great Lakes to begin in Strathmere before the end of the month and to move to Avalon by June 9. If necessary, Great Lakes will return to Strathmere after completing Avalon.
Thornton also stressed that public safety was a high priority during the beach replenishment process. Great Lakes has agreed to have two full-time employees focused on safety in the active areas of replenishment. These employees “will have no other duties,” Thornton said. Approximately three blocks of beach will be closed at a time as work progresses from north to south.
Fire Boat
While the dredging project in Avalon accomplished its goals for the first phase of the project, environmental regulations severely limit the time when dredging can occur. Phase two of the project cannot begin until fall. One area scheduled for September 2015 is the municipal sport fishing marina which also provides a slip for Avalon’s fire boat.
Jim Lutz brought to council’s attention the fact that at the “new moon low tide” the boat does not have enough clearance to be used if a fire emergency so required. Lutz supplied pictures to demonstrate his point.
Dredging the area is not an option given the prohibition in place this time of year. Lutz point out that the problem has been getting worse each year. Thornton acknowledged that he is working on a solution. The borough controls all 16 boat slips, all of which are impacted to a degree. The immediate solution, until dredging is again possible, will be to move the fire boat to another slip.
EMT Rescue
Public comment period is usually used by individuals who want to express concerns. Not this time. Ken and Joan Wensel went to the podium to relay to council their story of a “miracle” in the borough.
Ken Wensel relayed the story that began with the horror of finding his unresponsive wife on the floor of their home. A 911 call brought police and EMTs to the scene within minutes.
Joan Wensel was, in her husband’s word, dead. EMTs worked feverously to revive her. She was transferred to Cape Regional Medical Center. She was eventually airlifted to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia. After weeks in a coma, Joan Wensel emerged without any of the feared long-term brain damage.
The Wensels credited the actions of the EMTs, Rick Dean and Bill Crips, with saving her life and wanted to share their miraculous story with council. Several members of the EMT squad attended the meeting.
Bond Ordinances
Council took up the introduction and first reading of a new bond ordinance totaling $2.5 million for various capital improvements in the borough. The largest single project listed in the ordinance, for nearly $1.9 million, was for sanitary sewer main construction on Ocean Drive. Other items included sewer main and water main design work for Dune Drive. The ordinance will come up for its second reading and possible adoption in May.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.