Jitney Details Get Upper’s Attention; Resident Seeks Clean Water Tower

PETERSBURG – Upper Township Committee unanimously passed a resolution April 24 to oppose the Cape May County Bridge Commission’s proposed toll increase for bridges along Ocean Drive. Both in the Herald and in communications with Mayor Richard Palombo and Committee members, residents of the municipality have expressed displeasure with this proposal.
“It’s not just Upper’s beach community of Strathmere that will be adversely affected although because they need to use these bridges to get to the mainland, they are seriously impacted. It’s all members of the community who will need to pay significantly higher tolls if this measure passes,” stated Deputy Mayor Edward Barr, who chaired the meeting in Palombo’s absence.
Litter in Storm Water
The committee accepted the annual stormwater report and certification and a request to authorize the township engineer to submit it to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Township Engineer Paul Dietrich explained, “Every year we report different activities we take to reduce pollution, clean and inspect our drainage outlets and ensure that surface waters, as well as storm water, are not adversely affected.
“With the amount of litter in Upper we want to make sure we are compliant, and that are we are compliant with storage of materials by our Public Works Department. I go to a number of public meetings and reinforce the message about eliminating trash and other litter, so they don’t pollute our water.”
Jitneys for Summer Transport
Solicitor Daniel Young briefed committee members on correspondence that Strathmere residents have had with him and Palombo about implementing jitney service this summer. 
“I have a rough draft of a resolution that has had input from Strathmere residents regarding routes, stops, and fees. We’re including stops as well at Whale Beach because of this input.
“A major concern is safety and having the jitneys stay on main roads such as Commonwealth Avenue.
“We’ll be working on signage at the stops and want to curb motor idling, especially on side streets. Since this is a service that is not totally economically viable, just supported by riders, because there are not enough, the jitneys are supported by private business.
“In addition, we want to be consistent with other shore municipalities since the jitneys will be traveling along Ocean Drive through the summer season up and down the shore.”
Young will present the resolution with details at an upcoming meeting.
Filthy Water Tower?
Karen Bateman, president of the Strathmere Improvement Association, asked committee when the water tower leading into Strathmere would be cleaned.
“I alerted Paul Dietrich and the mayor over a year ago that the tower is filthy and black with mold. It’s really an eyesore and I continue to ask why New Jersey-American Water can’t be a good neighbor and do something to clean this up.”
Dietrich said he would follow up to improve the tower’s maintenance and appearance.
Dirt Bikes Plague Resident
Petersburg resident Keven Graves implored committee to take care of “dirt bikers and quads that are constantly using the premises of the George Harms’ quarry that abuts my property. The sound is amplified to the extent that I can even hear them talk when I’m hundreds of feet away on my porch. This has been going on for 12 years and we just can’t take it another summer.”
Graves said he had been in constant contact with Woodbine Barracks New Jersey State Police but the latest culprits have not been apprehended.
Committee said the fines are stiff for that type of illegal activity. Members will work to get at least a couple of riders caught so that the others know the seriousness of the financial penalties.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.