CAPE MAY – Newly-elected Council member Roger Furlin was in his seat as Cape May City Council held its first meeting following the Nov. 3 election. Furlin won the seat vacated when Jerry Inderwies, Jr. resigned in protest in March.
The controversy involved the demotion of then Police Chief Robert Sheehan to his previous rank of captain. Council appointed retired member Jack Wichterman who served until the election.
Controversy was nowhere to be found at the Nov. 16 meeting. The tone was set early by the presentation of awards for beach tag designs, an annual competition involving city youngsters who submit design ideas for the next year’s tags.
Three different competitions are run for the best designs for the seasonal, weekly, and veterans’ tags.
In announcing the winners, Mayor Edward Mahaney said, “I am always amazed at the talent and the creativity” shown by the designs submitted for the contest.
The winner for the seasonal tag was eighth grader Shaye Fletcher. Weekly tag winner is fifth grader Maya Eppenbach. When Cape May moved to a special veterans’ tag, a new category was added to the contest. The winner in that category was another fifth grader, Rylee Konczyk.
Mall Business Improvement District
Washington Mall Business Improvement District (BID) officials presented their proposed budget for 2016. The budget is $70,000 with $57,000 coming from BID membership assessments and the remainder from surplus.
The budget is mainly directed at enhancing the mall area and promoting its businesses.
Council members and public were urged to “think small” when shopping for the holidays, as council was informed about the BID’s new website and the successful addition of a new annual event to the mall’s calendar, a spring fashion show.
Presentation of the budget is the first step in its approval by council. A public hearing on the budget will precede a final vote by council Dec. 15.
Bond Ordinance
Council introduced for first reading a bond ordinance. The $500,000 funding that would be authorized by the ordinance is directed at additional financing for the city’s proposed new potable water well.
Bids are expected for the new well in February.
City Manager Bruce MacLeod indicated that review of the city’s current capital funding for the project indicated that some flexibility in funding for the project was prudent.
Beach Slope Study
Hatch Mott MacDonald, the city’s engineering firm, is engaged in a feasibility study to see what, if anything, the city can reasonably do to reduce the beach slope that is cited with causing plunging waves and injuring swimmers. Proposals were scheduled to be presented at the Dec. 1 meeting of council.
Mahaney indicated that the study is going well. He said that the firm’s specialists have been engaged with a “tremendous amount of material.”
In order to have the most thorough study presented, city Engineer Thomas Thornton has requested that the presentation of the firm’s work be moved to the Dec. 15 council meeting. Council agreed.
The issue of beach safety has generated a great deal of public interest. The Dec. 15 council meeting will likely be well attended.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@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?
