Lower Township Budget Passes

VILLAS – Lower Township Council passed its 2017 budget of $27.4 million at the March 20 meeting after a hearing resulted in no comments or questions from residents. 
Auditor Leon Costello explained that the budget is virtually the same as the one proposed some weeks ago in that some line items differ slightly from that proposed spending plan, but the actual total amount had not changed since then and was ready to be voted upon.
Costello added that this budget contains an 3.5 percent increase from 2016, which is within the CAP limits as required by law to control spending. The budget will require $20.7 million to be raised from taxes.
The vote was unanimous; Councilman David Perry was absent. 
Community Cleanup
Councilman Roland Roy suggested that the township holds a community clean-up program shortly to rid the township of trash and debris from the winter.
He suggested that volunteers could target a certain area and that public works trucks would pick up the bags of refuse. 
Helping Youth
Deputy Mayor Frank Sipple updated the residents on his work with Cape Assist to address substance abuse among the youth of the municipality.
Sippel is looking into establishing summer camps for youth who have had problems in school. Those camps would include programs by the police, fire and military groups that would interest the youth attendees.
Infrastructure Update
Township Administrator James Ridgway noted that he attended a meeting with the county regarding infrastructure projects that will include work to be done under the two Cape May Canal bridges that may result in some boat traffic restrictions.
He also mentioned that Bayshore Road between Ferry Road and Old Mill Road would be improved with sidewalks and cut-outs as required by Americans with Disabilities Act rules. 
He also stated that work would be done at Bayshore and Fulling Mill roads since the water installation project there has been completed.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.