City Seeks to Maintain Lower Average Property Taxes

NORTH WILDWOOD – Setting their course, council members worked through a variety of issues March 3, including the municipal budget and the matter of the tax lien litigation in regards to the ongoing Marina Bay Towers case. “What is going on over there is incomprehensible,” Mayor Patrick Rosenello said after the meeting.
The city auditor commented on the matter of the introduction of the municipal budget for 2015. A tax increase is deemed necessary, but the auditor stressed the following point: “Our fund is in good shape. We are under the caps.”
“Some people think it’s an easy process,” Council member Ed Kohler added later in regards to the budget and Rosenello commented on how many people do not understand how the municipal budget is funded.
Speaking to the Herald after the meeting, Rosenello further explained the reason for the 1.8 percent increase. The primary issue is the tax lien litigation involving Royal Tax Lien Services who purchased a municipal tax certificate due to Marina Bay Towers’ unpaid sewer fees and other taxes. Royal Tax Lien services attempted to foreclose on the lien itself and the matter came before the courts. Judge Raymond Batten invalidated the certificate, citing that the city of North Wildwood should not have sold it.
Judge Christopher Gibson, in a separate ruling, stated that Marina Bay Towers does indeed owe the city. The litigation is now in the appellate division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. $900,000 worth of unpaid taxes and fees, therefore, have added to the taxes in North Wildwood.
“We will pursue that money in whatever legal way possible,” Rosenello said. The city has obtained special counsel in this matter. In spite of the tax increase, Rosenello and Council is committed to keeping North Wildwood’s standing of lower average property taxes. A link to a press release concerning this matter is posted on the North Wildwood Tourism and Recreation Facebook page. As far as the Marina Bay Tower’s case and the litigation, Rosenello summed the matter up in two words: “It’s complicated.”
During the customary moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting, the names of those who have passed were mentioned, including Donald Long Sr. of Wildwood Crest who passed away Feb. 25. Long was the founder of Duffers’ Restaurant and an involved member of the greater Wildwood community.
Scott Jett, city clerk and newly appointed city historian, gave a brief report of his goals for North Wildwood from a historian’s point of view. “I’ll stick with the statute,” Jett said, remarking on how he already sought to preserve old documents and other artifacts from the city’s past.
Jett reported that he successfully identified a misdated photograph from 1922 (the correct date), taken outside of the old public works building. As historian, Jett also has obtained an 1883 railroad record from the state of New Jersey; this record is from the days when North Wildwood was Anglesea. A cast iron municipal seal safely resides in the city clerk’s office as well. Jett hopes that his goals of placing historical markers in key locations throughout North Wildwood will “bring interest to the city.”
Jett also seeks to protect North Wildwood’s history through digital preservation through the services of SureScan, a company based in Maryland. “North Wildwood will be the first municipality to use this technology,” Jett said.
North Wildwood set its sights on improving various aspects of the great outdoors, including a sewer renovation. The sewer system that runs under several roads in North Wildwood will be fixed, and the bond sale details with NJEIT were approved. “This is for the reconstruction of Surf, Ocean Avenue, and the bike path,” Rosenello explained.
Surf Avenue will undergo reconstruction from 1st to 11th Street, Ocean Avenue from 2nd to 18th, and the bike path running the length from 5th to 15th. The new bike path will feature wooden walkways and beach access and construction will tentatively begin this fall. However, work on other parts of the plan will begin this year. If Sandy forgiveness is granted, as pointed out by Councilman David Del Conte, 18 percent of the loan will be forgiven. Rosenello said he was excited about this upcoming project and improvements.
The council announced the grand opening date of Bill Henfey Park; the grand opening will commence May 8 at 11:00 a.m. Approval for a memorial plaque in Bill Henfey Park was also approved.
A potential location for a dog park came before the council’s attention and they thanked private individuals for their interest and participation in the project.
Rosenello spoke about the new no-smoking policies being placed in areas surrounding public property. The mayor said there was some “ambiguity” concerning the areas around basketball courts and hockey courts. With these new policies in place, residents of North Wildwood will know the facts and young people will benefit when using park and playground equipment.
When the time for public comment arose, Ben Haygood, a representative for the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, announced that several services have been extended. The Low to Moderate Income Homeowners Rebuilding program will continue to March 20 and the Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program will continue to April 6 in regards to Sandy relief.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.