Lower Weighs Accepting Land Donation, Questions Raised Over New FEMA Maps

VILLAS – The March 2 meeting of Lower Township Council began with sad news that Public Works employee David Thomas was killed early that morning in a one-vehicle accident on Fishing Creek Road. A moment of silence was observed in his memory.
Land Donation Considered
Township business included consideration of a resolution agreeing to the donation of a multiple-acre tract of land in the rear of 793 Tabernacle Road. The donor, Lillian Graham, wanted to donate this land to the township for recreational purposes. She requested the facility be named for her family’s name of McNeil.
Mayor Michael Beck stated, “I don’t know anything about this,” and added that although “this is a fantastic offer,” he was not sure about the status of access to the land, and other issues associated with accepting such a donation. Beck indicated that the township must be sure it can actually use the land and whether easements are required to gain access. He also noted that this would remove this property from the tax rolls.
Township Manager James Ridgway said that this is a preliminary resolution and that they have not yet conducted the necessary “due diligence.” Beck noted that Graham was in poor health and that this resolution is for her peace of mind because only an ordinance could complete such a donation as far as he knows.
Ridgway stated that he had a meeting with members of Tabernacle United Methodist Church regarding any access issues because the property is essentially land-locked. He indicated that this could be worked out without any easements with neighboring residents. This and other resolutions in the Consent Agenda were approved 5-0.
FEMA Map Issues
Deputy Mayor Norris Clark reintroduced the ongoing concern about the most recent FEMA maps. He stated that the township was getting a “double whammy” from FEMA’s interpretation of laws and definitions that determine funding for coastal communities.
Clark explained that the law makes no sense because the landscape in Lower Township is unique and unlike other areas. He noted that the maps put some areas in V-zones that were never determined to be threatened before. He repeated that because there are environmental elements to the issue of shore protection in Lower Township, there is no money from Superstorm Sandy funds that target only storm flood problems.
Clark stated they were previously told that Sandy funds would be available, but that was changed by FEMA. He advised everyone that FEMA has a 90-day window for appeals and that both individuals and the township must unite their issues together to present to FEMA when the appeal date is announced. Councilman Thomas Conrad (R-W1) stated that definitions used by FEMA were causing the problem and noted that Reeds Beach, in Middle Township, a notoriously flood-prone area, is not in the flood zone according to FEMA.
Clark stated that some residents may be tempted to build individual barriers, at $400 per foot, to avoid paying high flood insurance premiums, but that this is a township issue that must be solved jointly.
Animal Ordinance
The first reading of a new animal protection ordinance was discussed.
Councilman Conrad noted a paragraph that prohibits animals from being tethered outside from sunset to sunrise was a hardship to senior citizens. He stated that “we are getting a little carried away” and recommended that the language be changed to permit tethering, but for no longer than 30 minutes between sunset to sunrise.
There was also talk of the 32-degrees limit as to animals being left outside and whether the existing ordinance covered this with the language that prohibits cruelty.
Councilman David Perry (R-W2) spoke about whether garages and basements fall within the “indoors” language. Township Solicitor David Stefankiewicz stated that the revisions being suggested would be too significant for the existing proposed ordinance to be simply amended. He suggested that they work on the language changes being suggested and re-schedule a first reading after the ordinance is modified. All agreed to table the ordinance.
Brief Public Safety Building (PSB) Flare-up
The public comment section produced a brief re-ignition of the public safety building debate. Reports about recent mold developments in the existing building produced complaints from Council members Conrad, Perry and Simonsen that those conditions have existed in the complex because the township has failed to do the proper repairs over the years.
Beck responded that these issues were a problem before police and fire personnel ever moved there. Perry stated that he worked in that building up until his retirement and charged that he was told that the township would never spend money on that building.
Nothing was resolved after this repeat of the pre-election issue and the meeting adjourned.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.