City Fire Chief Sets Retirement, Replacement to Be Named in May

NORTH WILDWOOD ─ North Wildwood mayor and City Council met to discuss changes and initiatives in the city April 19.
A communication in the form of a “retirement request” came from Fire Chief Jeffery Cole, effective June 1, 2016.
City Administrator Kevin Yecco suggested that council approve Cole’s request before accepting and filing. Rosenello agreed and announced his plan to nominate Deputy Chief Dominick McClain as Cole’s replacement at the second May meeting.
As thoughts strayed to summer, Mayor Patrick Rosenello explained that a few “inconveniences” will ultimately benefit North Wildwood, its residents and guests. Even in the future appointment of a new fire chief, the city continues to move forward while preserving its heritage and past.
City Clerk and historian Scott Jett unveiled the second historical marker after the meeting.
By retracing the steps of those who called Anglesea home, Jett and council members hope to create a place for families to explore and where their roots can flourish.
The state Department of Transportation responded to the city in its 2016 Municipal Aid Funding, intended for $180,000 for the reconstruction of West 17th Avenue.
Under ordinances, a Supplemental Bond Ordinance for an additional $6 million for various improvements was passed by mayor and council.
Nine resolutions came before council, including initiatives to preserve North Wildwood’s coastal environment.
A shared services agreement with county Municipal Utilities Authority for a recycling tonnage report was passed; this report for 2015 will be “signed off” by the MUA, according to Jett. A tonnage report informs the city on the amount of waste disposed during the last calendar year.
Council also approved adoption of “community forestry management and public land vegetation management plans” along with establishing a “green team” to participate in the Sustainable Jersey Certification Program.
According to Jett, the purpose of those endeavors is to protect the coastal systems in the city.
An extension of “5 O’Boyle’s LLC ABC License to court-appointed Bankruptcy Trustee” was also passed by the council.
Councilman Edwin Koehler asked concerning the license and Yecco replied that the bankruptcy trustee will “auction” the license; according to Yecco, the location of O’Boyle’s is in the “worst flooding area in the city.”
During council comment, Jett announced the unveiling of the second historical marker commemorating the 1904 Boardwalk at Surf and 16th Avenue.
Rosenello also gave a few comments, updating council on the sand transferring project.
By moving sand from neighboring Wildwood’s outfall pipes and replenishing the areas affected by Winter Storm Jonas, Rosenello remarked on the progress as a “dramatic change.”
Although not a “permanent fix,” the sand transfer is “working very well,” according to Rosenello.
With continued work on Ocean and 15th avenues, Rosenello is confident that “a little inconvenience” during the beginning of the season will benefit the community in a new bike path and sewer system.
“Phase one should be completed by July,” said Rosenello. “The benefits outweigh the costs.”
Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at Allen Park are also underway, yet the hockey and basketball courts will remain open during construction.
At 11 a.m., Jett and a few residents gathered at 16th and Surf avenues for the unveiling of the historical marker.
“Everyone had smaller boardwalks,” Jett explained, stating how Anglesea, Wildwood, and Holly Beach all had their own boardwalks.
However, eight years later, as Holly Beach began to grow, the standing boardwalk was torn down and moved closer to the water.
Jett explained that the boardwalk was “built at the owner’s expense,” namely Henry Otten. With a blue background and brilliant yellow letters, the marker stands as a testimony to progress and preservation in a still-developing city.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.