Bike Path On Utility Easement Worries Owners

CREST HAVEN – At least three residents of Rio Grande have concerns about Middle Township’s bicycle path, funded by county Open Space dollars, that will link with Lower Township’s bike path. They aired concerns to freeholders Feb. 23.
None opposed the concept; rather their concerns arose from the proximity of their homes to Atlantic City Electric’s right-of-way, where the bike path is proposed.
Judy Hansen, of Cresse Street, whose side yard is within two feet of the easement, and Ann and John Fitzgerald, whose front door is four feet from the easement, want the path farther away. They advocate a bike lane on Seashore Road, but had been told that could not happen, even though there is such a lane south of Cape May Canal Bridge on the same road.
Hansen and the Fitzgeralds have been annually paying the utility rent, and must maintain $3-million liability insurance in order to cross the utility’s easement.
Ann Fitzgerald said she went to Middle Township Administrator Connie Mahon “last April or May but could not get concrete information.” Told they would have a meeting in May or June, she said, “It never happened.”
In January they received a letter informing that discussion on the path was to take place. Nothing happened at that Middle Township meeting, she said, because the engineer was absent.
Hansen has lived in her home since 1960, and has been paying the utility rent since 1975.
The Fitzgeralds moved into their home, built in the 1950s, in 1976. They understood that part of their front yard was the electric company’s land. Throughout the decades it had never been a problem, she said.
Hansen, retired superintendent of the former county Mosquito Commission, said, “We maintained the property which held and bred mosquitoes, and I could not let that happen.”
The path’s impact on their property values is unknown, said Hansen. Citing her insurance payment, she added, “I don’t want to insure a bike path.”
While other sections of Rio Grande “by the stores” are hindered by crime, Hansen, whose late husband was Middle Township police chief, said “We still live in a nice area.”
Freeholder Will Morey, who oversees the Open Space Program, acknowledged while the bike path is a “terrific program, it’s not perfect. The township and county are trying to work together.” He said the county “consulted today with Atlantic Electric to see what is permissible in the area.”
“The electric company has very strict parameters as to how far the path is from the poles,” said Fitzgerald.
“We hear you,” said Morey. “Our objective is to provide a balance. We want to reduce the impacts in the area and to try to persuade the township to work with Atlantic City Electric,” said Morey, “Ultimately the township is more the lead. We are working to facilitate the discussion.”
Should changes be made, Fitzgerald said, “That means Middle Township will have to come back to you (Open Space Program) to modify that grant. So, it’s important for you to know.”
“I would like to see a bike lane. That would not impact our homes at all. We are talking about right at our front door,” she added.
John Fitzgerald said he was told that, because their driveway will cross the bike path, four stop signs will have to be posted, “One in, one out, one in, one out.”
“I’m not against a bike path, but it’s so hard to get information from anyone,” Hansen concluded.