Friday Furloughs Enacted

WEST WILDWOOD ─ “It took us 10 years to get here,” Commissioner Cornelius Maxwell told the Herald March 13, referring to the Superior Court ruling in the Ferentz litigation. 
In October 2017, Superior Court Judge James Pickering ruled in favor of Police Chief Jacquelyn Ferentz, obligating West Wildwood to pay $995,000 after an initial $65,000. According to the payment schedule, monthly payments of $5,040 will continue until the last one in 2035.
Both parties reached a settlement. Ferentz’ attorney, Michelle Douglass, will also receive scheduled payments from the borough, totaling $32,103. Douglass’ final payment is scheduled for 2021.
Residents recently attended the March 2 regular meeting: a meeting which lasted two hours as Mayor Christopher Fox and fellow commissioners explained the borough’s response to the financial strain. Borough offices will be closed on Fridays, eliminating Friday meeting times. Borough employees are also furloughed on Fridays. The commission took a 20 percent pay cut.
Many residents have spoken out against the rescheduled meeting times, including Susan Czwalina of Pennsylvania.
“We can’t come on Wednesday mornings,” said Czwalina. “I would prefer a Monday.”
Czwalina explained the plight of second homeowners who cannot attend Wednesday morning meetings as proposed by the commission. Traffic, time, and other factors will prevent her attendance.
“Nobody was really happy with the times we (commission) came up with,” Maxwell said. Changes may come to the new Wednesday morning meetings, but nothing definitive exists at this time.
Several residents queried commissioners concerning their trip to the Local Finance Board in Trenton. Maxwell replied that he and borough Administrator Christopher Ridings, Commissioner Scott Golden, bond counsel, and their attorney appeared before the Board in October 2017.
However, due to conditions stipulated, the commissioners did not return in December. Maxwell said the borough chose not to re-bond.
“If it doesn’t work out,” Maxwell said, “I’ll be back in front of bond counsel.”
“This was the best deal we could make,” said Ridings. Ridings also told the Herald that once the jury made their award, Ferentz could demand her money “in full.”
However, Karavan said little motivation exists for Ferentz to do so.
“Tough decisions were made,” Ridings said. Ridings hopes the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) will make payment. Any obligation on behalf of the JIF is now before Pickering.
Budget and taxes form the bulk of residents’ alarm, considering the tax increase in 2017.
Since undergoing a mandated county revaluation, residents saw a tax rate increase by 10 cents.
“My taxes went up 29 percent,” said Don Jacobs, who lives in a condominium facing the back bay.
Maxwell told the Herald Aug. 4, 2017, “We (borough) lost $36 million in ratables” due to the revaluation. Fox concurred, explaining the 10-cent rate increase in order “to keep operating” and provide services.
“We’re (residents) up against the wall,” resident Dennis Fife said in October 2017. “We can’t afford it.” Fife suggested that Wildwood or North Wildwood could provide officers.
The Herald spoke with Maxwell March 13, seeking clarification.
Maxwell praised residents for openly expressing their thoughts. “We have good residents who want to be informed.”
Though the borough faces a tax increase, Ridings said the increase averages less than 2 cents per $100, averaging less than $70 per year. Deducting lower school board taxes reduced the amount from 6 cents.
“I don’t like this,” Maxwell said, agreeing with residents’ concerns. Maxwell added he feels the emotional and mental toll of the 10-year lawsuit.
Fox has recused himself in subsequent discussions involving the Ferentz litigation.
“Jackie never wanted to hurt the borough,” Maxwell said in previous statements.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.