Lower Updated on Road Projects, Flood Zone Issues

VILLAS – Lower Township Council’s Oct. 3 meeting featured an update on local road infrastructure projects as well as information on flood zone issues, especially the issue at Roseann Avenue.  
Township Manager James Ridgway stated that he had recently attended a conference call that included state officials, Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority (LTMUA) and public works. 
According to Ridgway, the following issues were discussed or updated.
A Coastal Areas Facilities Act (CAFRA) permit to allow the township to pump existing water from under Roseann Avenue in preparation for actual construction work has been signed. Water main replacement work is expected to begin within four to six weeks. A bidding process for the actual remediation project will not occur until the spring of 2017 because CAFRA must complete the permit process before that can begin. The house on Roseann Avenue that was targeted for demolition in order to construct the pump station must also wait for CAFRA permit action.
Road Projects
Council members David Perry and Erik Simonsen jointly discussed the Bayshore Avenue project and other road infrastructure initiatives. They stated that engineering will soon begin to define the upgrades and new designs to this troubled roadway.
These upgrades will include sidewalks to accommodate elderly residents of Victoria Commons, as well as other improvements to intersections and roadways.
Perry and Simonsen informed residents that the intersection of Townbank Road and Seashore Road will also be repaired.
Shared Services
Simonsen announced that Diamond Beach is now better protected against fire risks now that a shared services agreement with Wildwood Crest has been completed. This temporary agreement will permit the Crest to respond initially to the alarm, in concert with Erma Fire Department. A more formal agreement is forthcoming.
FEMA Flood V-Zone
Deputy Mayor Norris Clark reminded everyone that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood V-zone issue is still present. He explained that the argument put forward by Delaware Bayshore Council that the bay coastline must be viewed differently than the Atlantic coast is falling on deaf ears in Washington, D.C.
According to Clark, the reality is that the flood risks along Delaware Bay are unique to that area and cannot be viewed in the same manner as Atlantic coastal threats.
The fight to change this “one size fits all” mindset in Washington, D.C. is ongoing and in need of continued support going forward.
Environmental Event
Mayor Michael Beck provided some information concerning a planned Leni Lenape Nation environmental event that is now scheduled to take place at Sunset Beach Sportsman’s Club Nov. 12 beginning at 10 a.m. No additional information is available at this time.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.