Police Chief Sworn In; Meetings Now Available Via Live Streaming

CAPE MAY – Police Capt. Robert Sheehan was appointed chief at the Cape May City Council meeting March 4. Mayor Mahaney praised Sheehan for his long service and dedication to the people of Cape May.
Sheehan, 47, started with the Cape May department in 1990 as a patrolman and worked his way through the ranks. Mahaney noted that he knew Sheehan’s father, who also served as police lieutenant. Each member of council in turn praised the appointment with Councilmember Deanna Fiocca recalling that she grew up with Sheehan.
Sheehan, married with three children, lives in Lower Township. He takes the helm of a department that polices the city and patrols neighboring West Cape May and Cape May Point under a service agreement. Mahaney made special note of that due consideration was given to the governor’s push for municipalities to consider consolidation of services. “We wanted to make sure this was the right thing to do,” Mahaney said. The employment agreement approved by council is for a three-year contract starting at $123,500. It will increase approximately 2 percent each year.
Live Streaming
The meeting was the first to be available to residents and interested parties via live streaming over the Internet. Mahaney said this would make the work of council accessible to a wider number of citizens. The Internet video will also be archived so that individuals can view the proceedings at times convenient for them. Access to the live streaming technology is accomplished by setting up an account through the city’s website. Emails will be sent to individuals who register with appropriate links for access to the council meetings.
The March 4 meeting can be viewed here: www.new.livestream.com/CityOfCapeMay/CapeMayCityCouncil/videos/44196484
Reduced Speed Limit
Council discussed a proposal from Fiocca to reduce the speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph on a number of streets. Fiocca expressed concern about the dangers that the 25 mph speed limit imposes on many narrow streets that are little more than alleys. She cited her own street, St. James Place, as an example. “Many of these streets have no sidewalks,” Fiocca noted and this posed dangers not just for children but for the elderly out walking their dogs.
Public Works Superintendent Robert H. Smith and Sheehan weighed in on the issue. Mahaney noted that it is important that any consideration of an ordinance focus as well on the ability of the ordinance to be enforced. “If we do this, people will expect us to enforce the ordinance,” Mahaney said. The issue will continue under review.
Beach Tags for Veterans
Council continued discussion of the proposal for free beach tags for both veterans and active duty military personnel. City Manager Bruce MacLeod reported on his analysis of potential lost revenue if the action is taken. Explaining the difficulties in such an analysis, MacLeod put an estimate on the potential loss to the Beach Utility Fund at $24,000. Mahaney indicated that the proposal would be for this year and that continued study was largely for the purpose of ensuring that there was not a shortfall that would have to be passed on to the taxpayers. At earlier meetings, council approved several beach tag increases for 2014 in an effort to ensure that the costs associated with maintenance of the beaches are paid by its users. No formal resolution on this issue has yet been placed on the council agenda.
Nature Center
Gretchen Whitman, sanctuary director, Nature Center of Cape May, presented a review of the center’s accomplishments in 2013. Stressing the center’s unique and important relationship with the city, Whitman outlined improvements made to the physical facilities, partnerships with organizations and business that help further the center’s environmental and educational mission, and the center’s role in tourism. A recent state grant for New Jersey Travel and Tourism provided significant new funds for marketing and helped the center launch its campaign Cape May: Nature at your Own Pace.
Among resolutions approved was authorization for the city to use state-approved contract vendors. The economies of scale involved frequently mean “significant savings,” according to Mahaney.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.