Freeholders’ Actions: County Switches Bank for Payroll Account; Anticipates $14-million Bond Ordinance

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County changed its payroll bank account to TD Bank from Sun Bank, an action approved by freeholders Aug. 12 and effective Aug. 15.
County Chief Financial Officer Francine Springer reported to the board the county still left some investments in Sun Bank “to be diversified, and for interest purposes.”
She noted that Sun had been charging the county a fee “even though we had a significant amount in there.” Springer was hoping for a “smooth transition, knock on wood, I hope all goes well Friday (Aug. 15). The checks were issued today,” she said. In addition, employees were provided with all TD Bank branch locations, if they desired to cash their checks.
Expect a Bond Ordinance
Springer additionally spoke of a $14.5-million bond ordinance that will likely be introduced at the Aug. 26 meeting. That will fund a various projects, including over $10 million in roads, software upgrades, and for Office of Emergency Management. Martin Pagliughi, OEM coordinator, told the board one of the purchases would be for a computer system for the dispatchers that would automatically record 911 call times, and would interface with local police and fire departments.
“It is expandable if we move into a county dispatch; it interfaces with the Patriot Verizon 911 equipment,” said Pagliughi. He noted that calls are not presently recorded, but that all recording of all 911 calls is a requirement. Attorneys frequently seek time-stamped records of 911 calls, he said.
In other action the board:
• Amended an appointing resolution for William McMahon of Ocean City as a member of the county Municipal Utilities Authority from Feb. 1, 2019 to Feb. 1, 2018.
• Awarded open-end contracts to Eddie’s Auto Body Shop, Inc. Dan’s Auto Body and Rio Auto Body Inc. to perform auto body-collision repairs for county-owned light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Contracts are for two years, until Aug. 17, 2018 with two additional one-year contract extensions.
• Increased ceiling amount by $20,015 for professional services for Adams, Rehmann, Heggan & Associates architects for the new correctional center.
• Granted permission to Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May to close part of Delaware Avenue (CR 640) Sept. 27 and 28 for Cape May’s Dragon Boat races.
• Awarded contract for $665,605 for drainage improvements on Stagecoach Road (CR 667) at Evergreen Drive and for Two Mile Beach Bicycle access construction to F. W. Shawl & Sons, Inc.
• Passed resolution to congratulate Marilyn Sweeney on being chosen by the Cape Women’s Resource Fund to be honored on Equality Day, Aug. 26. Event honors passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that gave women the right to vote.
• Awarded $14,920 contract to Maser Consulting, P.A. of Marmora for geotechnical engineering services for the new county correctional center.
• Approved resolution with Special Services School District and the Sheriff’s Department to provide a school resource officer on a full-time basis from Sept. 1, 2014 to June 30, 2017.