Floodplain Plan Reviewed in Avalon

AVALON – At its work session prior to the regular Oct. 28 meeting, Avalon Borough Council received an update on the borough’s efforts to fashion its own floodplain management plan separate from, although coordinated with, the county plan.
Avalon was the first of the county’s municipalities to gain Level 5 status in the FEMA Community Rating System which translates to a 25 percent discount on prevailing flood insurance rates. Sea Isle City and Stone Harbor have now followed Avalon’s lead in the CRS ratings and Avalon borough has raised its goal.
Avalon sees its current effort at a new plan, developed through the efforts of its own Floodplain Planning Committee, as leading the borough to another first for the county, a class 4 level rating and a 30 percent available discount for its residents.
Business Administrator Scott Wahl said that the minimum goal is “to retain the current 25 percent discount,” but he noted that the extra effort of having the borough go on its own in the plan development was motivated by the hope that a Class 4 rating was achievable. The extra 5 percent could mean significant savings to residents.
The National Flood Insurance (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program that promotes community floodplain activities that exceed minimum requirements. New participants in the program generally start out at Level 9 and work to increase their ratings, and the associated discounts on insurance premiums, through a series of actions that support basic NFIP goals.
These goals focus on reducing potential flood damage to insurable property and undertaking comprehensive approaches to floodplain management.
The CRS rating system begins at level 10 with no associated discount and moves to level 1 with a maximum 45 percent discount. Avalon was Cape May County’s first Level 5 community. If they can achieve level 4 through the current process that also will be a county first.
The borough has had to undertake a very ambitious schedule in order to meet plan submission deadlines. A series of committee meetings, including scheduled public discussions, are planned and listed on the borough’s website. 
The schedule calls for a draft report to council on Dec. 9 and a final report at council’s last meeting of the year, on Dec. 22. If the efforts are successful in gaining the extra points necessary to climb to Level 4 and its 30 percent discount, the borough will be able to present residents with a somewhat belated but extra special Christmas present.
Ordinance on Pools
Council adopted an ordinance regarding “construction and/or installation of swimming pools.” Problems with contractors who violated earlier borough regulations drove some residents to complain at council meetings.
One focal point of the complaints is the dewatering process which releases large amounts of water into the streets.  This process has an impact on the storm water collection system as well as depositing dirt and debris in the streets.
Borough administrators agreed that the old ordinance did not give the municipality much in the way of enforcement options above a fine set at a rate that would not deter undesired behavior.
The new ordinance significantly increased the enforcement options available to the borough for violations. The ordinance also adds to the regulations governing pool installation and “imposes time restrictions during which certain activities can be constructed.”
The ordinance will take effect on Jan. 1, 2016.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.