New Fire Chief Takes Oath; Fiocca Resigns Council Seat

CAPE MAY – City Council’s meeting drew a standing-room only crowd for the swearing-in of a new fire chief Aug 5.
Alexander Coulter, a lieutenant in the fire company, was sworn by City Clerk Louise Cummiskey, following approval of his contract by council. Coulter began as a part-time firefighter and worked his way through the ranks.
The retirement of Chief Jerome Inderwies resulted in a search process that ended up right back in Cape May with Coulter. Mayor Edward Mahaney Jr. spoke of “the new era of firefighting and rescue” and praised Coulter’s “well-documented resume.”
Prior to administering the oath to the new chief, council presented a plaque to Inderwies, commemorating over 20 years of service in Cape May, 11 as chief.
Inderwies recently picked up a petition to run for council in the November election. The department Coulter takes over is made up of a mix of full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters. Along with providing firefighting and EMS service to Cape May, the department serves West Cape May and Cape May Point for emergency medical services and covers civilian medical emergencies on the Coast Guard Base.
Council Member Fiocca resigns
Among the resolutions passed at the council meeting was one accepting the resignation of Councilwoman Deanna Fiocca.
In a letter to Cummiskey, Fiocca noted she no longer met the requirements to complete her term on the council. In June, Fiocca and her husband bought a home outside the city, in North Cape May. Fiocca was not intending to run for reelection. Her term expires at the end of 2014.
The five-person council is left with four members, the minimum required for considering bond issues. Given the closeness to the fall elections, Mahaney noted that the council would go forward without appointing a replacement.
“We have four members who attend regularly,” Mahaney said, “and we feel comfortable going forward.” If Fiocca were to be replaced, it is council itself that would appoint someone.
However, Mahaney also noted ‘fairness to the candidates’ for positions on the council as a reason to not appoint someone at this time. Two other members of council, Jack Wichterman and William Murray, have also indicated that they will not seek reelection.
Bond for New Pool
Council introduced a bond ordinance to pay for construction of a new indoor swimming pool at Cape May Elementary School on Lafayette Street. The $1 million cost of the project will be paid for by the city, but “the school district will repay it at zero percent interest,” Mahaney noted.
The existing pool at the site is almost 50 years old and studies showed that repair would be costly with no guarantee that other problems might not surface. The pool is used by both the school and the community. It is especially favored by senior citizens.
Mahaney noted that while the city is the lender for the project, the cost to taxpayers is actually less than if the school district financed the project itself.
The project, as described by Mahaney, calls for building “a totally new pool, locker room and shower room.” The plan calls for having the facility in operation by the 2015-2016 school year.
The vote on the bond ordinance along with public discussion of the issue is set for Sept. 2.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.