Mayor Henfey Returns to Council

NORTH WILDWOOD – Mayor William Henfey returned to City Council Nov. 6 after recovering from brain surgery. A standing council and residents of North Wildwood gave Henfey a warm welcome.
“I want to thank everyone in the city,” Henfey said about all the residents who reached out to him after his surgery. “It really shows what type of community we live in.”
Henfey also spoke about an emergency hire he allowed for the North Wildwood fire chief. David Lindsay worked with the city seasonally prior to this part-time hire. Henfey cited the amount of injured employees and how the hire was necessary.
Councilwoman Kellyann Tolomeo had abstained during the council’s acceptance of this hire. There are also seasonal and part-time positions appointed to the Recreation Department, Police Department, Pubic Works Department, a crossing guard and a lifeguard.
Council accepted the resignation of Assessor Louis M. Belasco. Belasco started as city assessor in 2006. In 2012, his position was combined with the business administrator’s position.
Council agreed upon the purchase of property on Fifth and New Jersey avenues. “We are already occupying that area. It will clean up the property,” Henfey said.
A bid was accepted and approved for the 2013-2015 trench restoration. “They are really good at small work,” Henfey said. The name of the vendor was not mentioned.
There is emergency repair work needed on 26th Avenue between Central and New Jersey avenues. There was a sewer break that needed to be addressed immediately. Engineer Ralph Petrella said the work was necessary.
Council also determined that November would be proclaimed Pancreatic Awareness Month. However, there was no discussion of what events would occur to help raise awareness.
Councilwoman Margaret “Peggy” Bishop reminded residents that Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day. “I look forward to seeing you all there Monday at Veteran’s Park,” she said. Coleman-Callahan Veteran’s Park is located on Rosemary Road and Park Boulevard in Wildwood Crest.
“I want to thank all of the voters in North Wildwood,” Councilman Edwin Koehler said after many on the council were re-elected Nov. 5.
Henfey concluded the meeting by congratulating council. He said residents “are happy with the quality of life. We all work hard to pull the wagon in the same direction. Something a lot of governments do not do.”
The Nov. 19 council meeting will be moved from to 11 a.m. in order to accommodate Henfey’s radiation treatments.
To contact Ashley Hoff, email ahoff@cmcherald.com.