WEST WILDWOOD – Reconstruction of Poplar Avenue in this borough is “closer to fruition now that the borough has received a $173,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation,” according to a release.
That grant will be used to rebuild the street, which has been in disrepair. Many manhole covers have been raised, which would be corrected during the project. Under the grant’s rules, work must be completed before the borough is reimbursed by the DOT.
“The borough is again attempting to pass a bond ordinance that will include this project since the grant is used to reimburse the borough,” stated Borough Administrator Christopher Ridings. “We have to do the project first. In order to do that, we have to float a bond. There is no other way to do it,” he added.
In light of a recent state Appellate Court ruling that upheld a petition signed by resident challenging a previous capital improvement bond, Mayor Christopher Fox stated, “I am hopeful that politics will be set aside and this ever-important bond will be allowed to pass. Otherwise all of us, collectively, will need to continue to struggle with the poor road conditions, the raised manholes and the lack of effective community notifications.”
Included in the project would be 18 raised manhole covers in the borough’s streets which have grown worse over time, and have made driving hazardous.
Fox’s statement also noted a variable message board that was located at the borough’s entrance. It was no longer usable. The sign had been used in conjunction with the borough’s reverse 911 system and flood sirens to alert citizens to hazardous weather conditions as well as other notifications. Funding from the bond will be used to buy a new sign.
“This is especially pertinent considering we are coming into the heart of the hurricane season,” Ridings stated.
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