WOODBINE – Woodbine Borough Council held its regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 1.
Mayor William Pikolycky informed members that he and other local mayors would meet Gov. Chris Christie Oct. 2. The topic of that meeting, at the new Municipal Complex in Sea Isle City, was discussion of preparation and planning for potential landfall along the Jersey coast of Hurricane Joaquin, which ultimately headed out to sea.
A nor’easter, which came prior to the hurricane, caused much beach erosion and flooding.
Grant Application Feedback
Michael Zumpino, Triad Associates, who prepares grant applications for the borough, informed council that Woodbine’s application for a $400,000 Small Cities grant had been filed in September.
This grant, if approved, is earmarked to continue improvements at the borough’s Head Start Center (formerly known as the Daycare Center) in partnership with Gateway Community Action Partnership. “Today we had a site visit from the N.J. Department of Community Affairs and the overall reaction was positive with positive feedback to our proposal. The center has not seen improvements for 30 years and I got the feeling that a service-based project such as what we proposed could be looked on quite favorably by DCA,” commented Zumpino.
“Not that public roads and infrastructure improvements are not important but the Center has a direct impact on people in need so hopefully we will have good news soon,” said Zumpino.
The award of the grant is expected to be announced at the upcoming county League of Municipalities meeting Oct. 27 in Wildwood.
Food Bank Improvements
Zumpino reported on progress related to a $400,000 grant the borough received last year for improvements to its fire station which should be finished soon.
“I expect we’ll be able to wrap up this project in the next two months or so. We received competitive, conservative bids for this work and fortunately have a $41,000 balance that we can use under the grant for additional upgrades,” added Zumpino.
COAH Litigation
Borough Solicitor Richard Tonetta briefed council on two rulings that day by Judge Nelson Johnson regarding COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) litigation.
“Judge Johnson granted all municipalities who are parties to this suit blanket immunity from builders’ remedies until Dec. 8. Per his ruling, this immunity will be extended as long as municipalities meet their COAH obligations under a plan that works, “explained Tonetta.
Tonetta mentioned that the opposing side, Fair Share Housing Council, might appeal but all hope that this will not be the case and that Judge Johnson has already indicated his disagreement with this strategy.
The second ruling issued by Johnson gave formal approval of an escrow fund into which each municipality will contribute $2,000. Out of this fund the court will pay a named “master” for this litigation as well as another “expert” to review compliance plans.
Project Medicine Drop
Pikolycky announced that the State Police Woodbine Station will install a “Project Medicine Drop” box and thereby join the state Attorney General’s statewide initiative.
The project’s aim is to safely dispose of unused prescription medications including opiates used as painkillers which frequently are not used for the purposed intended.
“It’s great that we finally have this local location, for rural communities where there are no local police. I’m grateful to our Woodbine Station for stepping up so that we now have a place to go to safely dispose of prescription drugs.”
Although the Woodbine Station drop box is aimed for the specific use by residents of Woodbine as well as Upper and Dennis townships in reality it is open to all who want to drop off any unused prescription medications anonymously and with no questions asked.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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