Borough Regains Parkway Sign; Animal Shelter Costs Nearly Triple

WOODBINE – Woodbine Borough Council met March 3 and took the occasion to remember two upcoming anniversaries: the 113th anniversary of the borough’s incorporation on that day in 1903 and the upcoming 125th year mark of its founding. 
Mayor William Pikolycky announced that Woodbine had “reappeared” as an exit destination on the Garden State Parkway.
“We now have our own sign at Exit 17 of the parkway; previously we were on the parkway exit sign along with Sea Isle City and Dennis. The sign needed updating but they said they were allowed to include only two destinations. So they decided to give us our own sign and it’s great to say, ‘Mission accomplished.’”
Pikolycky also said that with the major milestones that Woodbine is reaching he has enlisted a Stockton intern to share time with the Sam Azeez Museum to curate old photos for a montage display.
“We have so much still untold in our history, so many of the old-timers are dying out and we need to preserve all that is out there. Can we do it? I’m floating this balloon to get everyone to come together and make sure our founding celebration is well worth it.”
“Only two months after I was elected mayor, we celebrated the 88th birthday of the borough as an incorporated municipality; one which, however, already had been in existence for nearly a hundred years at that time,” he continued.
Per Pikolycky, the borough will also be celebrating the Quasquicentennial (125th anniversary) of its founding, which occurred with the purchase of 5,300 acres from Dennis Township July 19, 1891. The first settlers arrived Aug. 11. 
“On the weekend of Sept. 20 through 22, 1991, we held a celebration for the Centennial of Woodbine’s founding. It is now nearly a quarter century later. In 1991, I was in my first year as mayor and I have now completed my 25th.  In the years in between, Woodbine has seen an economic and social comeback that we are proud to commemorate as we reach this milestone year,” added Pikolycky.
He directed those who want to know more about the history of the borough’s founding to the Woodbine municipal website as well as to the Sam Azeez Museum which he explained, “Is a treasure trove of our community, past and present.”
During the public comment portion, life-long resident Tom Levin, presented Pikolycky and City Clerk Lisa Garrison with a bound copy of council minutes going back to 1911. “My father was a council member in 1938 and my mother had the same job Lisa does now when she worked from home in 1945 and also collected the borough’s taxes there.”
Animal Shelter Cost Jumps
Pikolycky said that the county Animal Shelter has increased the amount due from the borough by almost three times year over year.
“Last year, we paid about $11,000 and this year they want to charge us $31,000. Many of the other municipalities are in the same situation, in our case, we have lots of campgrounds and come the fall the campers leave behind their animals. We, of course, want to ensure the animals are well taken care of. And Upper and Middle have been notified as well of this enormous increase. The county says they are now going by a ‘usage’ rather than ‘census’ basis so we need to talk to them about what is really fair.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.