Raising Road to Make It Passable Must Not Inundate Nearby Homes

AVALON – Discussion of the county’s Ocean Drive Improvement Project continued for a second meeting at the Aug. 24 work session of Avalon Borough Council. 
While expressing appreciation of the county’s efforts in initiating the project, council at its earlier August meeting, had expressed some concerns about sections of the thoroughfare where the county plans to raise the road as much as eight to 10 inches. Council believes it could have a negative impact on water runoff during rain events.
What the council heard was a report of a detailed walkthrough of the impacted area by county and borough officials along with Council members John McCorristin and William Burns. 
The area of greatest concern is between 31st and 40th streets where the plan calls for the greatest roadway elevation.
The elevation of the road is intended to help with flooding that occurs even with normal rain storms.
The project includes a series of inlets and pipes that would capture runoff and redirect it to drainage sites.
A property-by-property plan will be needed in selected areas to ensure that the raised road will not redirect water onto homes that will suddenly be lower than the street and to ensure no interference with access to driveways.
Business Administrator Scott Wahl indicated that the borough would be writing to all impacted homeowners to explain the project. He said that the correspondence would also educate homeowners about the location of right of ways that will be used.
Council passed a resolution of support for the county project Ocean Drive, also known as County Road No. 619. Borough officials pledged to stay on top of the effort, coordinating with the county to resolve any issue that may arise.
The borough’s project to replace sewer lines along the same path will be expedited. Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton said the sewer project would be “completed well in advance of the county project.”
Trailer Parking
Council heard discussion of an ordinance being drafted that would change rules governing the parking of trailers on streets. The proposed regulations would eliminate street parking of trailers from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
There would be appropriate exemptions for construction sites and temporary use of delivery zones. Assistant Business Manager James Waldron said that if the council eventually adopted the rules, the recommendation was to make them effective Jan. 1, providing ample time for individuals to prepare for the enforcement period that would start Memorial Day weekend.
Definitions of trailers affected would be part of the eventual ordinance which would have a public hearing before any vote for adoption.
New Borough Officials
Council adopted a resolution appointing Alexis Coan as the tax collector. 
Wahl also announced a planned celebration of the retirement of current Library Director Norman Gluckman. The event will be held at the library Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
New Director Erin Brown, coming to the borough from a position as head of adult services for the Atlantic City Free Public Library, will assume her position Sept. 9.
Under Gluckman’s leadership, the facility has been recognized as a five-star library for eight consecutive years by the Library Journal.
Other Business
Wahl announced that good progress was being made on the annual Community Rating System (CRS) program review. He assured the council that the necessary documents would be ready for council review at the Sept. 7 meeting. 
He said the annual submission of the borough’s application would be on time. The borough expects to hold on to its Level 5 rating which provided for a 25 percent discount on flood insurance.
Wahl said that Kenneth Super, an agent from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, recently held a session in the borough on “what to do if there is an active shooter” situation. Wahl said the borough would use Super’s advice in future personnel training.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.