VILLAS – The regular meeting of Lower Township Council was held May 2. Before the scheduled business, Mayor Michael Beck conducted a ceremony honoring 92-year-old Frances Guinan of Villas, with a proclamation testifying to her 18 years of volunteer work as a foster grandmother. By her side was Southern Coordinator for the New Jersey Foster Grandparent Program, Sheila Harris, who helps spearhead the group in the area.
Beck praised Guinan as a “remarkable young lady” who balanced discipline with ‘warm hugs’ and noted that she works five days a week and roughly six hours a day at the Villas Head Start program, which houses the foster group’s activities that focus on 3 to 5-year-olds with developmental disabilities or who come from disadvantaged homes.
A Rest Area for Monarchs
Following was an update, provided by Kevin Maloney, on the Monarch Butterfly Habitat being planned for an area just east of the new parking lot at Sunset Beach.
Citing a “significant” decline in Monarch butterflies and the fact that the area is a strategic stopover for the insect’s 3,000-mile migration, Maloney reported that phase one of the project was underway.
On The Road to Repair
Council member David Perry relayed that the planned work on Roseann Avenue in Villas is in the early bid review phase with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The township expects to move forward after the review.
Honoring Those Who Serve
Coast Guard Community Festival is May 6-8. Council member Erik Simonsen encouraged everyone to attend, especially May 8 at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry (tickets required), where a big brunch will be held. Simonsen reminded the audience that Cape May is one of only a small handful of Coast Guard communities nationwide.
Back to School
Six years ago, a late 19th-century schoolhouse along Fulling Mill Road, in a dilapidated state once described as a “disgrace” to the community, had its’ doomed fate reversed when the township saw an opportunity.
Now, Fishing Creek School is renovated and home to the 3-year-old Visitation Program (3 VP). The program, originally designed in response to a lack of facility space for pre-Kindergarten classes had teachers traveling to the houses of children to provide education. Now, the school offers parents the option of bringing their children to the teachers.
Deputy Mayor Norris Clark lauded the work of the 3 VP program and the refurbished old schoolhouse.
Upcoming Events
Starting May 17, Lower Township Court will be operating out of the municipal building on Bayshore Road until renovations at the airport are complete. Tuesdays will be court day and normal hours apply.
On June 12, the township will host the annual Escape the Cape triathlon. Tickets have been sold out, so the event is expected to be quite large.
The regular session ended after no public comments were forthcoming. Council moved to closed session in order to conduct contract negotiations with various bidders for work in the township.
To contact Christopher Knoll, email cknoll@cmcherald.com.
Wildwood – So Liberals here on spout off, here's a REAL question for you.
Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
