School Board Action Puzzling to Mayor

WOODBINE – Borough Council met May 5 and Mayor William Pikolycky briefed members on the state of play at the elementary school. 
“The school board had a state monitor who never introduced himself to me and now is gone without letting me know that either; in fact, I didn’t even know his name. Now there’s a new one but I don’t know what’s going to happen there now. Misrepresentations have been made, for example, they thought the monitor would only be looking at fiscal matters but it seems he’ll have ultimate authority over the entire operations of the school. There seem to be a couple of reports that have useful information but they were done by the old monitor and the new monitor won’t release them until he’s reviewed them,” explained Pikolycky.
Pikolycky went on to describe that the board is saying that there will be new students entering the district, noting half facetiously, “What, they’ll be dropping from the sky?”
With this promise of increased enrollment, “The school can exceed the cap in their budget and pass on an increase to the borough’s taxpayers. They say they’re making the assessment on the average property price of $121,000 but that’s including the borough’s campgrounds. Our own assessed average property is $196,000 which is the right figure to use. The board’s actual tax hike will raise the quarterly increase on our property owners to $41, not the $25 they’ve publicized. I’m really disappointed by what’s going on, this whole experience has been a real eye-opener, I don’t feel that school board members think they’re accountable to the taxpayer,” he continued.
Trooper Ballistic Upgrade
Council passed unanimously a resolution which authorizes advertising for bids to construct a ballistic upgrade to the facility at the Woodbine State Police Barracks. “This is a State Police request and will be funded by the state. We are issuing plans and specs soon and expecting bids by June 15 and if they’re in line with state expectations for this project of about $40,000-50,000 we might be able to approve the successful bidder at our council meeting June 16,” said Pikolycky.
Rabies Bait Disbursing
Pikolycky announced that there has been an outbreak of rabies in the county. As a result, the county will be dispensing anti-rabies substances May 16.
According to a county release, the county Departments of Health and Mosquito Control will be working together to distribute over 34,400 vaccine-laden baits throughout the mainland communities of Cape May County.
The majority of the baits will be distributed by helicopter and the remaining will be distributed by hand in raccoon habitats (such as storm drains) and other areas considered inaccessible by helicopter.
If weather permits, the baits will be distributed starting the week of May 16, and be completed within one to two weeks.
Health Officer Kevin Thomas informed residents that, “the bait will have a warning label and include a Cape May County Department of Health telephone number for inquiries and for people to call if contact with the bait occurs.” Additionally, signs will be posted on utility poles in mainland communities to alert residents that oral rabies vaccine bait has been distributed in their neighborhood.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.