Police Sworn, Administrator Retires

AVALON – Three police officers were sworn in to begin their careers in public service June 25. At the same meeting, the borough’s business administrator bid farewell to the residents he had served for three decades.
With dozens of their families and friends in attendance at borough council’s meeting, Anthony Decesero, Gregory Armstrong, and Colby Meloy were sworn into office by Mayor Martin Pagliughi as patrolmen for the Avalon Police Department. Badges were presented by Chief of Police William McCormick.
Bednarek retires
Pagliughi also presented a proclamation to Business Administrator Andrew Bednarek in recognition of his years of service. Bednarek, who retired at the end of the June, thanked the residents of Avalon, and described his tenure by quoting from Plato’s “The Republic,” to which he received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Pagliughi is expected to nominate a new business administrator, as well a deputy municipal clerk, for council approval at the July 1 reorganization meeting.
Owners interested in slip dredging
Public Information Officer Scott Wahl reported that more than 160 bay-front property owners attended a session to get information on having their private boat slips dredged by the same contractor doing the work in the main channels.
Thornton explained that many factors affect the cost of having a boat slip dredged, and estimated that per-slip cost could range from $2,000 to $10,000. Significantly less than a property owner would pay if individual permits had to be obtained.
Professional contracts approved
Council passed several resolutions renewing their contracts for one year with the solicitor, labor attorney, bond counsel, and healthcare consultants. Council also approved two FEMA grant applications. The grants would be used to pay for emergency generators at the pumping stations. They would be used in the event of a power outage.
Council further discussed plans to require permits for road closures related to construction, in the wake of the unauthorized closure of Ocean Drive for two days, earlier this month. Wahl reported that he had spoken to County Engineer Dale Foster who supports the proposal.
Several residents spoke during the public portion of the meeting. Pat Coyle asked for clarification of the borough’s policy on construction dumpsters. It was explained that all dumpsters shall be covered at the end of each workday. Construction hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Public’s concerns
Coyle reported that during a recent ride through town, after construction hours, she counted 23 job sites with dumpsters. Ten were covered, 13 were not. She provided a list of the sites to council to be forwarded to code enforcement.
Resident Gary Daniels asked for additional police patrols along First Avenue to enforce bicycle traffic laws. He said that the bikes move at a high rate of speed and fail to follow ordinary traffic laws such as yielding to pedestrians. Several council members noted that the cyclists can reach speeds higher than the borough’s posted speed limit for cars. The matter was forwarded to the police department.
Coming events
Preparations are set for the fireworks display July 4. It was also announced that the Seven Mile Business Association, along with the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, will begin hosting “Thursdays on Dune,” Thursday evenings at Veteran’s Plaza. The events will include live music and specials from merchants along Dune Drive.