WOODBINE – Woodbine Borough Council met April 6. Borough Solicitor Richard Tonetta updated council that he had received notification from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) that this federal agency had all necessary documents to dissolve the former Port Authority and place its function under the municipality’s control.
Thus, council unanimously passed, on second reading and with no public comment, an ordinance which made official this change.
Landfill Remediation
Tonetta raised another topic, that of remediation at the F & S Landfill, saying he had been in close touch with the borough’s special counsel who is handling the matter.
“He is talking to the relevant insurers, AIG, and Travelers, to negotiate making Woodbine whole for not only the remediation at this landfill but also the ‘soft’ costs such as filing fees with the DEP [state Department of Environmental Protection[. We’re expecting that this matter will be wrapped up shortly.”
Eye Municipal Rights of Way
Tonetta talked about the status of requests from Verizon Wireless and similar telecommunications providers such as Sprint to use the borough’s right of way to place equipment on existing or new utility poles.
“They want carte blanche even though they have not yet provided us with any studies as to where and why they need it. Current bandwidth is insufficient to cover today’s streaming needs, so I expect these types of requests will continue.
“Many municipalities are taking a step back in approving these providers’ requests although others have allowed them to use their rights of way. The state BPU [Board of Public Utilities] has not yet taken a position and I think they’re trying to figure things out.
“Since using rights of way is free of charge we may need litigation to sort all this out.”
Utility of Drones
Mayor William Pikolycky described a drone experimental work he had observed at the Woodbine Airport, similar to what is happening at the Cape May County Airport.
“From my standpoint, this type of activity will really be prevalent in the future because it supports technical and scientific work.
“The drones themselves are really interesting, they’re not the small helicopters or ‘octopus’ types, but single planes that are catapulted out and belly flop to land. They’re getting more and more advanced and popular and can be used for all kinds of functions, including law enforcement, flooding or other severe weather, and emergency medical services.
“They’re expensive but can quickly be activated, so they’re good in emergencies. It’s also interesting that the Woodbine Airport started out as a facility in 1943 for general aviation catapulting airplanes that the Navy was carrying on ships. What goes around comes around.”
During the public comment, Woodbine resident, Gregory Hudgins, introduced his grandson, Jaylin, a senior at Middle Township High School, and requested whether the council could sponsor his trip to Australia to represent the state and participate in a type of Junior Olympics.
Pikolycky asked the council to consider Hudgins’ request.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
