New Appointments; One Planning Board Member’s Vision; Free Beach Tags for Veterans

STONE HARBOR – The Police Department welcomed a new officer into the fold at the regular council meeting Feb. 4. Justin Glass, a North Cape May resident, was sworn in as a full-time officer. Glass is no stranger to Stone Harbor though; he has been employed at the Police Department for the past four summers.
In addition, Michael Workman, a Corbin City resident was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. Workman began his employment with the Stone Harbor Police Department in 2001 when he joined as a Special Law Enforcement Officer. He also spent some time in the West Wildwood Police Department and the Atlantic County Sherriff Department, returning to the Stone Harbor Police Department in 2006. “Michael was one of four applicants for this position,” Councilmember Albert Carusi added. “It was a tough decision because we have such excellent officers.”
Council also appointed Miranda Duca as the new recreation director for the Borough. “We are very fortunate to find someone with a proven, successful record in both athletics and special event planning,” said Councilwoman Judy Davies-Dunhour, who manages recreation and tourism for the Borough. “Miranda comes to Stone Harbor with a strong background, energy, and commitment to elevate even further the special events and recreational opportunities enjoyed by our residents and visitors.”
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Tony Madison, a resident who lives on the southeast corner of Shelter Haven Basin wanted to know about plans for the waterfront business district. “There’s some lighthouse looking structure plans I’ve seen. Are there any proposals on the table and why?”
“There are no proposals on the table,” responded Mayor Suzanne Walters. “The planning board hired a planner to look into the waterfront business district. The designs that you saw were what the planner’s vision of the future of Stone Harbor could be, which is total access all along the basin along 3rd Avenue and having some kind of structure go out where you could dock boats and kayaks. But there is nothing contemplated or happening or the borough buying any property there or any of that. It’s a plan that the planner came up with, that he hoped to see that we would do in the future.”
“So there’s going to be no changes by the borough then? That’s not a goal?” Madison asked.
“Not at this point, no,” Walters said.
Randall Turney, another resident, followed up Madison’s line of questioning. “I was here last year at this time. I was told that the planning commission drafted a letter. That area is still not being afforded the same rights as all the other areas for building height.”
“I’ll be perfectly honest with you,” Walters said. “That’s why we had the planner look at that area. We realized that and we did not know that the planner was going to take it to the extreme that they did.”
Turney then expressed his concern about the planning board member in question “seems to have you and me both as co-dependents. Is he still doing legislation on the planning board?”
Walters confirmed that he is.
Turney also mentioned he heard that the subcommittee exceeded their budget “by three or four-fold” and wanted to know if the council had any oversight on that.
Borough Solicitor Michael Donohue stepped in to say that the planning board is a separate, independent entity from council.
“They determine their own course. The council does have some oversight. It was somewhat of a concern to me and to council that the planner was going beyond seemed to go beyond the brief he was given. But I don’t want you to have the impression that the council can tell the planning board what to do. They can’t.”
“How are these members of the Zoning and Planning boards elected or appointed?” Madison asked once Turney sat down. Donohue said council appoints them.
“Does council have power to make changes?” Madison asked.
“I suppose so,” Donohue said. “But that would be highly unusual.”
Once public comments were concluded, beach tags were discussed.
“Several years ago,” said Council Member Judith Davies-Dunhour, “we approved the change to this same ordinance that provided free tags to persons in active military service. However at that time the law did not permit us to provide for military veterans as well. On Jan. 23, Gov. Christie signed into law legislation that now allows shore towns by ordinance to provide free beach tags to military veterans. It seems very appropriate to offer free access to our beaches to the men and women who fought for our freedom so we can enjoy these beaches and we can enjoy the lives that we lead. Offering this benefit is a small gesture, a way to say ‘thank you for your service, we appreciate your sacrifice and we want you here.’”
“Well said,” agreed Walters.
Among other ordinances discussed were the purchase of Site 103 as an authorized site for dredge material, approval of the official centennial logo for advertising, temporary capital budget for both general capital ($1,378,000) and water and sewer ($620,000).
To contact Bryon Cahill, email bcahill@cmcherald.com.