Council Asks Public to Detail Concerns Over Branch Library’s Saturday Closing

WOODBINE – At its regularly scheduled council meeting April 16, Woodbine Borough Council members decided to pursue change of a decision that closes its library on Saturdays because of budget cuts. “We are a ‘walking’ community, many of our residents heavily rely on our library because of limited resources at home such as not having a computer,” said Mayor William Pikolycky. “With Upper’s library slated to close on Saturdays beginning in May as well and Dennis not having a library, it’s highly unreasonable to ask residents of these three municipalities to go to Sea Isle City for library services on Saturdays especially in the very congested traffic of the summer months. Let’s get the Woodbine library to stay open on Saturday and Upper and Dennis can also come here.”
Given these arguments, and confirming that the Woodbine library is “heavily used on Saturdays,” Pikolycky asked borough residents to register their disapproval with decision-makers, the County Library Commission and freeholders through petitions, emails and other communications he has received. He has made a copy so that council and he can follow up to try to get the policy regarding Saturday closures reversed.
Grants Augment Budget
Pikolycky announced that the borough is slated to receive in the next week two grants that will significantly increase its already-approved 2015 budget, one for $175,000 from the N.J. Department of Transportation for improvements to local roads and the overall transportation network and the other for $150,000 from the N.J. Department of Community Affairs for drainage work.
According to letters authorizing these grants, the process was highly competitive with hundreds of applications received. “These grants help us to keep my batting average of zero budget increases going,” stated Pikolycky. “As we get grants throughout the year they really serve to expand what we’re able to do with our basic budget.”
On the Woodbine school budget, it was learned that the school board will institute a three-cent increase in the tax levy to increase its budget by $60,000. With the increase to the new rate will be 91.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Initiative to Support Coast Guard
Pikolycky announced that Woodbine is committed to supporting the Coast Guard Community Festival May 8-10, “celebrating the designation of Cape May County as a Coast Guard Community,” which all 16 county municipalities are helping to make a success.
The Coast Guard Training Center is in Cape May but Woodbine is the site of the only Coast Guard Distribution Center in the U.S. Additionally, two Coast Guard admirals and one captain have residential roots in the borough.
The Coast Guard also does training flights at Woodbine Municipal Airport. Council member Michael Benson said, “My nephew was with the Coast Guard, captaining his own patrol boat and did drug interdictions in the Caribbean. The Coast Guard does amazing work, so it’s great we can support them with this county-wide attention.”
Alcohol Awareness Month
Pikolycky distributed information about a proclamation from his office in support of Alcohol Awareness Month in the borough for all to join forces to combat underage drinking and help those individuals and families coping with alcoholism. Per the proclamation, alcohol is the most commonly used addiction substance in the country; it is estimated as the primary cause of death for 25 percent of American young people ages 10-21. In Woodbine, 25 percent of borough residents, per latest figures, who were admitted for substance abuse treated were treated for alcohol abuse.
Resolution in Support of the Transparent Tax Act of 2015
Council resolved verbally, with Solicitor RIchard Tonetta, to prepare a resolution to support an Assembly bill that permits local jurisdictions to give separate tax bills to each taxpayer, and to show the amount of property taxes due and payable for municipal tax purposes as well as property taxes due for county, school, fire district and any other special districts for which the municipality collects property taxes.
The rationale for this proposed legislation is that in the event of any property tax appeal refunds, that municipality would then only need to pay its pro rata share unlike currently where it, alone, refunds the entire amount. If adopted, the amended legislation will assist the general public to understand tax bills, tax structure, and provide more equity to share the obligation of paying approved tax appeals thereby creating transparency for local tax assessments.
“This is the proverbial no-brainer decision,” said Benson to which sentiment Tonetta agreed.
Woodbine State Police Community Event
Woodbine State Police Barracks Commander Lt. Doug Pearson announced the State Police initiative to support the community through a free program to give away bike helmets to borough youth, in conjunction with the support of the local bike shop in Tuckahoe and Council member Eduardo Ortiz.
The event will take place May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon under the slogan, “Be smart, do your part, be alert, don’t get hurt.”
“We’re also planning to have available refreshments and maybe other giveaways,” said Pearson. “We’d like as many people to come out, take advantage of this program and get to know us.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.