STONE HARBOR – A representative of South Jersey Gas presented plans for infrastructure upgrades at the Stone Harbor Borough Council work session Feb. 7.
On the heels of recent infrastructure upgrades by Atlantic City Electric, the South Jersey Gas project manager described a two-phase project that will replace aging steel gas mains with a more durable plastic pipe. The company promises significant safety and reliability benefits for customers.
According to the company, much of the steel piping in the borough was placed in the 1970s. The aging steel pipe is also subject to corrosion problems.
The project will involve substantial replacement of main lines. It will impact homeowners variably depending on the type and age of connecting lines to individual homes.
Connections after 2000 are probably already using the newer plastic pipes. Earlier customer infrastructure may be the steel piping that will need to be replaced.
The project is planned in two phases. Phase one begins this month and will run to June. Phase two will start after the summer in September and continue to June 2018.
Phase one work will begin on Berkley Road, Sunset Drive, Corinthian Drive and 99th Street.
Side streets from 99th to 111th streets will follow. Phase two will then pick up at 96th Street and move north to 80th.
Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour pressed utility representatives to be more specific on the June completion dates.
What she got was a promise that best efforts would be used to complete phase one by June 1 with no guarantees that date would not be later in the month.
Promising that residents and businesses along impacted streets will have access to their properties at all times, project personnel said that rolling lane closures would be used as work progresses.
Work will take place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday with the possibility of Saturday work at points.
One logistic complication for the project is the need to do work on some properties where property owners are not present this time of year.
The utility said that every effort would be made to contact property owners including a mailing to the billing address and a “door-knocker” placed on the main door of the property here.
With outside meters in most locations, work can be done without the property owner in residence if permission can be obtained.
One caveat is that gas to the home will have to be turned off until a property owner is present to allow workers into the home to test the new connections.
Utility representatives promised full restoration following any digging on customer property. Pre-construction video will be used to document the exact nature of the restoration required.
Project fact sheets are being sent to property owners. The company has supplied a South Jersey Gas Cape May Division contact point. Those with questions are encouraged to call (609) 465-2900, extension 6250 and reference the Stone Harbor project.
One or Two?
Council discussed the possible merging of the Planning and Zoning boards. Citing the potential for greater efficiencies and better communication if the boards are joined, council members also acknowledged that some issues represent real impediments to any proposed merger.
The most significant concern is the added load and time commitment required of members on a joint board.
Some expressed concern that the added commitment could impact potential membership in a community that has so many property owners absent for periods each year.
Borough Solicitor Marcus Karavan said the merger of the boards would be a relatively easy task legally, but he urged council to consider the “logistical issues” involved. A model ordinance in place in North Wildwood was provided as a guide.
Davies-Dunhour proposed that council first seek the advice of the two current chairs of Planning and Zoning at the March 7 council work session.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
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