Board OKs Lease, Renovation of Lower’s Public Safety Building

CREST HAVEN – Freeholders Oct. 13 meeting was highlighted by a short report by County Tourism Director Diane Wieland who recently addressed a conference of tourism officials in Anchorage, Ala. Wieland had been asked to present to the International Economic Development Council on the subject of eco-tourism and “nature-based” opportunities to enhance the tourism efforts of our newest and most northerly state. Wieland spoke about how Cape May County has developed its birding industry as an international draw to Cape May County.  She also spoke about the development of agricultural tourism through the wine and vineyard attractions that this county has nurtured over recent years. Wieland hopes to maintain a relationship with her new friends in Alaska to the betterment of that state and Cape May County.
Lower Township Public Safety Building
Two resolutions were introduced and approved that clear the way for the acquisition and renovation of the Lower Township Public Safety building at the Cape May County Airport. This plan would combine the County Emergency Management and centralized county dispatch systems at the existing police building that has been severely criticized as a “sick building” that contains mold, a leaky roof, and is in need of a complete renovation. The first county resolution approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the county and Lower Township to create a shared use agreement where the county will bond (finance) the renovation and equipment required to house the county OEM and dispatch functions, while Lower Township will pay a yearly rental of approximately $143,000 to the county to house Lower Township Police and court system, as well as fire and EMT services in that same building. Under this MOU, Lower Township would relinquish ownership of that building; the land belongs to the county.  This resolution passed unanimously.
Lower Township Council’s Oct. 5 meeting featured considerable push back from Mayor Michael Beck and Deputy Mayor Norris Clark regarding the motion to approve this very same agreement.  Beck and Clark believe that the terms of the lease (20 to 25 years) would leave the township vulnerable to being evicted from the complex at the end of the lease, and the township would have no building to show for all that rental money paid over the course of the lease.  The resolution passed Lower Township Council by a 3-2 vote despite Beck’s arguments against leasing the space; he favors the original plan to build a public safety building in the municipal complex.
The second county resolution awarded a contract to Buell Kratzer Powell of Philadelphia, Pa. for professional architectural services to renovate the existing public safety building.  This work would begin “commencing Oct. 14” according to the resolution that also passed unanimously.
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton commented that he attended Lower Township’s Oct. 5th meeting, and that “a major issue arose” concerning the idea that Lower Township would be somehow vulnerable to eviction after 25 years. Thornton advised everyone that he consulted with the county’s legal counsel to determine precisely how long the term of this lease can be written to remain legal. He stated he was advised that the maximum term would be 50 years. Thornton then stated that the MOU would be amended to a 50-year lease to address any fears that the county would evict Lower Township Police Department.
Concern for Homeless in Winter
Villas resident and former candidate for Lower Township Council John (Johnnie) Walker addressed the board with his concerns about the coming winter and the county’s lack of preparedness to address the homeless problem when temperatures begin falling. He addressed Freeholder Kristine Gabor and asked her why she had not attended two meetings of Cape Hope, a homeless advocate group he represents, after he extended an invitation. After some discussion it was agreed that Gabor had urgent family issues for the first meeting, and that a communication failure had caused her to miss the second meeting. She assured Walker that she takes the issue seriously; both agreed that future communication will be improved. Thornton interjected that he has just signed a “Code Blue” policy that will address many of Walker’s concerns.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Walker indicated that “the county feels that it has no homeless problem.” He added that he has documented proof that last year, over 200 vouchers were issued for hotels to house the homeless in Wildwood alone and that the tent city in Rio Grande is further evidence of the existence of a problem. He stated that he hopes to get a copy of this policy at the next meeting of Cape Hope that is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Erma Knights of Columbus Hall.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.