Brighter Promenade Lighting Quizzed; How to Ensure Residents’ Safety, Enjoyment?

SEA ISLE CITY – This resort’s City Council met Aug. 9 and approved a consent agenda that consisted of some operational resolutions. 
These included a resolution which authorizes the mayor to execute a contract between the city and the Middle Management Professional Assoc. until the end of 2018 and a resolution which accepted the recommendation for compensation for the deputy emergency management coordinator for Superstorm Sandy efforts.
Business Administrator George Savastano reported that as of Aug. 7 the city’s collection of revenue from beach tag sales was up year-over-year by $12,680 to $1,326,000.
Brighter Lights
He also briefed the council on lighting measures for the Promenade that will focus on brighter lighting for the downtown “commercial” area including in the vicinity of the gazebo, pergolas, and benches. He noted that Council had previously approved a funding ordinance for the measure.
Responding to a resident’s question during the public comment portion, Savastano explained that brighter levels of lighting are anticipated for streets around 45th St. and JFK Boulevard. John Henry, a long-time resident said “Please consult with ambient lighting designers since people on the Promenade have bright lights shining in their bedrooms throughout the night as well as in those residences near playing fields.” Savastano also said that Atlantic City Electric owns many of the street lights in the municipality although new “deco” lighting on the Promenade will be the city’s responsibility.
“We want to have more lighting along the entire length of the Promenade. Atlantic City Electric’s deco lighting offers only a few choices so if we want our own, that means more cost and responsibility, but then we have more control.”
Change Curfew?
Comments from the public and council continued to focus on making the city as safe as possible for everyone to enjoy.
For example, Council member Frank Edwardi suggested that the current curfew be changed from teens off the beach at 10 p.m. to 9 p.m. “I see loads of 15-year-olds with loaded backpacks heading down to the beach around 9:30 p.m. and you know that nothing good is going to come from that,” he said. “The police are doing a great job getting kids off the railings and bikes off the Promenade and having the sheriff’s (officer) with his canine partner also has been an enormous help. Maybe we should raise the fine from the current $110 for being on the beach after curfew,” he added.
Savastano said the administration is continually implementing measures to ensure the enjoyment of all, including several that may still be launched before summer’s end. “We’re not waiting for anything; we want to make Sea Isle City is the best it can be for everybody, and so these measures might be considered pilot programs and then we will keep them for next summer. We’re taking in loads of info through our police officers and that will help us too.”
Suggests Pump Stations
Council member John Gibson said the council should start considering pump stations for the low points along Central Avenue. “We need to consider long-range improvements for drainage of this area as the new five-year Capital Spending Plan is being discussed over the next couple of months.”
Asbestos Removal
Two residents, who are neighbors, stated that they were very opposed to the city permitting demolition, pile driving, and subsequent new construction during peak summer weeks.
Both referred to the numerous children and grandchildren who visit them during the season and that they are concerned for them, especially as asbestos and other particles, as well as incessant noise and dirt result.
“Ocean City has an ordinance controlling these types of activities, how about Sea Isle?” one asked rhetorically.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.