NORTH WILDWOOD ─ Residents and public safety officials await further information about possibly consolidating emergency medical services (EMS) and career fire services in North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.
During North Wildwood City Council’s Jan. 21 meeting, Mayor Patrick Rosenello announced Capt. Michael Blizzard accepted his promotion to deputy chief of the North Wildwood Fire Department.
“You come on in interesting times,” Rosenello said.
The city, along with Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, plan to pursue the Challenge Grant, through the state Department of Community Affairs Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP), to conduct a study to discuss the feasibility of consolidation. The study would examine how tax dollars could be saved if consolidation occurs.
In a phone interview Jan. 27, North Wildwood City Administrator Ronald Simone said a press release would clarify details for residents (http://bit.ly/3b6gi41).
According to the release, issued Jan. 29, the study “incentivizes the sharing of services with the goal of reducing cost, delivering municipal services in a more efficient manner and generates increased value for each dollar spent while ensuring the local units remain responsible stewards of the public trust.”
The mayor said a similar study came out in the early 2000s, but never addressed leadership. Which municipality would lead is a question not fully answered.
“I wanted you (firefighters) to hear it from me first,” the mayor emphasized. According to Rosenello, an official meeting between the municipalities took place 10 days prior.
“The rumors going around are amazing,” Rosenello added.
Wildwood Commissioner Steven Mikulski, commissioner in charge of public safety, said Jan. 23 he is doing his due diligence for Wildwood taxpayers by looking into the option. Exact cost-saving factors need to be analyzed before the information goes public. The study is an independent one, according to recent information, and each municipality has “volunteered” to participate.
“It won’t happen overnight,” Mikulski said. If consolidation comes, teamwork between the communities would require integration at a central location.
Simone admitted that a new fire station would be necessary, but added that these are “early days,” and all information/planning remains “rough.”
When asked who would lead the process, Simone said that North Wildwood is the lead agency.
If the grant is obtained, how would the numbers break down?
According to the release, $3.15 million is allocated by the state in LEAP Challenge Grant funds, with up to $150,000 set aside for “each county for up to three municipal grants of $50,000 each.”
Multiple requests for information from the North Wildwood and Wildwood fire departments were made. No comments from North Wildwood Fire Chief Dominick McClain or Wildwood Fire Chief Ernie Troiano III were immediately given.
Wildwood Crest Commissioner David Thompson explained the borough’s position Jan. 24. Thompson said that the Crest’s firefighting force is volunteer-based, and he remains “uncertain” of the benefits of consolidating; however, if the grant provides tax savings to Crest residents, Thompson said he would be in favor.
Borough officials will proceed with caution. “We will see,” Thompson said.
As stated in the release, the Crest would be part of the study for sharing EMS services.
West Wildwood and Lower Township (Diamond Beach) are not included in the grant.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.
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