Crest Establishes Self-Insured Fund for Retired Police

WILDWOOD CREST – Wildwood Crest Commissioners held a short meeting Jan. 20 before adjourning to executive session for a discussion of potential litigation concerning a “recreational facility.” The public meeting, including the public comment period, lasted 40 minutes.
Commissioners approved an ordinance setting up a self-insurance trust fund to cover the need for providing life insurance to retired police. The benefit is required by the police labor contract and had been provided for through an arrangement with Prudential Insurance. 
Prudential notified the borough that the company would no longer provide the service given the small size of the program. Self-insurance proved to be the best option for the borough.
The program covers retired police with a $15,000 policy with no employee contribution. The amount is impacted by an age reduction formula beginning at age 65 and having a last threshold at age 75. There was no comment from the public during the hearing prior to adoption.
In other business, commission also authorized execution of an interlocking agreement with the county for participation in the countywide animal shelter for a five-year term. The shelter is in the county’s Crest Haven complex.
Dorothy Garrabrant’s continued service to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board was approved with the authorization of professional service contracts for legal services. Garrabrant was also recently sworn in as municipal judge in both Avalon and Stone Harbor.
The engineering consulting firm of Van Note-Harvey Associates was also awarded professional service contracts for engineering service for the borough, the planning board and the zoning board.
Another resolution authorized participation in the Joint Insurance Fund Safety Incentive Program. The program focuses on lowering risks associated with municipal operations and offers monitory rewards to the municipalities based on their ability to meet threshold levels of JIF safety guidelines.
Each of the 16 municipalities in the county belongs to the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. In conjunction with the JIF program, Steve Shearer of the Department of Public Works was appointed Safety Coordinator for the borough at the meeting.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.