AVALON – Borough Council opened its June 11 meeting with a discussion of a proposed revitalization project for Armacost Park, located on 74th Street. Vines and other invasive vegetation have overtaken native trees, some more than 100 years old.
Council has initiated discussions with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cape Atlantic Soil Conservation District, and U.S.
Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. The agencies determined that state and federal permits will not be required for work on upland portions of the park which will include removing and replacing invasive vegetation with native species.
Council will apply for federal grant funds to offset some of the costs of the project. Any work to be conducted in wetlands portions of the park will be subject to applicable permit requirements.
Road Closure Permits
Council also discussed the need for a permitting procedure for the closure of roads by private contractors. The discussion was spawned by the recent closure of Ocean Drive. The county roadway (CR 619) was closed for two days last week for the transportation and installation of modular housing units.
Ocean Drive is the only designated truck route in the borough, as well as the New Jersey Transit bus route. The closure caused confusion among borough residents and officials alike. Neither the police department nor the Department of Public Works was made aware of the road closure.
Police deemed the closure a public safety hazard, and requested traffic control assistance from the public works department, which erected a barricade to divert motorists.
It was suggested that a permit process be established requiring contractors to provide notice of a planned closure, as well as adequate traffic control and signage. Chief of Police William McCormick suggested that such closures be banned during summer months, similar to the ban the borough has on housing demolition. The issue was referred to the Public Safety Committee for consideration and recommendation.
Business administrator Andrew Bednarek reported that the borough will receive just over $37,000 for wind damage insurance claims and $356,000 for flood damage insurance claims to property in the open, suffered during Superstorm Sandy.
Property in the open includes items such as park benches, lights and docks.
Bednarek also announced that the borough will receive $22,930 for this year’s recycling rebate. Council’s reorganization meeting is scheduled for July 1, at 4 p.m.
To contact Don Tozer, email dtozer@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
