Lower OKs Merit Raise Language, Mayor Maintains Opposition

VILLAS – Lower Township Council’s Sept. 19 meeting began with a resolution that sought to address Mayor Michael Beck’s objections to language in both the supervisory and non-supervisory union contracts. 
In August and on Sept. 7, Beck raised objections to language in both contracts that could be interpreted to mean that merit raises would not require council approval; while market adjustment raises would require council approval. 
Beck had argued that under the literal meaning of the language, the township administrator could give merit raises to any employee with no oversight. 
Beck stated that was not the intent of the contract as far as he understood at that time. Council then voted 5 to 0 to table the resolution at the Sept. 7 meeting until the language was further reviewed.
The Sept. 19 resolution to correct that error was subsequently passed 4 to 1 with Beck still opposing the contracts based on objections raised to the Herald during an interview he provided on July 19. 
Habitat Update
Kevin Maloney, director of the Cape May Maritime Museum and Education Center, made a presentation on the status of a monarch butterfly migration habitat. Being constructed at Higbee Beach, the project began a year ago as part of the project to restore a 19th century Coast Guard (U.S. Life Saving Service) lifesaving station. The state Department of Environmental Protection suggested the creation of a habitat for the thousands of monarch butterflies that annually migrate from Canada to Mexico via Cape May’s coastal eco-system.
Those colorful travelers fly 200 miles daily during their trip to hibernate in the warm climate; they rely on stops like Cape May to fuel up to continue on their way.
He praised the cooperation received from the Fish and Wildlife Service of the state DEP as well as the Cape May Bird Observatory and the Rutgers Master Gardener program in providing the expertise needed to properly complete the project.
He also thanked the Lower Township Municipal Utility Authority for donating 120 cubic yards of fill, and Rutgers University for providing the correct plants the butterflies need.
Maloney also thanked Councilman Thomas Conrad for involving the boy and girl scouts who will be planting hundreds of plants at the site Sept. 24 at 9 a.m.
Speaking for the township, Beck thanked Maloney for his work in the community over the years.
Run for the Fallen
The 2016 N.J. Run for the Fallen will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 with a special flag ceremony at Sunset Beach. This ceremony is especially dedicated to all fallen military service members and their families.
The following day, the team will leave Cape May Lighthouse at 8 a.m. and run through Cape May Point, Cape May City, West Cape May, Wildwood Crest, Wildwood and North Wildwood and arrive in Ocean City at about 5 p.m. at the American Legion Post 524.
Everyone is urged to attend the flag ceremony and show support to the runners as they pass through each community.
Road Project
Councilman David Perry announced that the Bayshore Road project is moving along based on information from the county. The project seeks to make improvements to Bayshore Road from Sandman Boulevard to Fishing Creek Road.
Perry stated that a design consultant would be selected soon to get the project started. There was no news about the traffic study being conducted to determine if speed limits need to be adjusted on Bayshore Road.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.