Sea Isle City Mulls Cost of EMS, Quizzes Planned Bridge Toll Hike

SEA ISLE CITY – The resort’s City Council met Feb. 28 and heard from a consultant’s study report about the transition of Sea Isle City’s Emergency Medical Services from an all-volunteer organization to a paid entity under city administration. 
Councilman William Kehner questioned the full cost of the city having an ambulance corps, listed in the budget at $600,000, compared to using a third party for EMS services.
The consultant informed council that outsourcing EMS would cost around $900,000 to $950,000. Also, only two third parties initially expressed an interest in providing service for the city and are no longer interested.
Kehner also questioned the cost listed for benefits indicating he thought they were very low. City officials informed council that the city’s chief financial officer was comfortable with the numbers in the budget.
Business Administrator George Savastano said “We’re very pleased to be making this move since it allows Sea Isle City to continue to provide the highest standards of service to our residents and visitors.
“It was getting to be a real challenge to maintain our all-volunteer force, and the conclusion of the study was to implement the plan we now have in place to provide coverage as a city service.”
The consultant stated that the next step in organizing the city’s EMS would be to develop job descriptions and then start interviewing and hiring.
Council approved on second reading an ordinance entitled “Encroachments.” It will allow setbacks for “certain architectural features, commonly known as ‘bump outs’ for corner lots.
This ordinance equalizes treatment of what exists for all properties to those which are situated on corner lots. During public comment, there was no reaction or comment from residents.
Council was informed that beginning mid-March to the end of March the upper level of the Sea Isle Boulevard causeway would be paved. No paving will be done from April through August due to ospreys being present.
It is anticipated that the paving of the north side will be completed in September and motorists will then be able to drive on the upper level.
A rumble strip will be installed on the present highway before summer to boost the safety of motorists.
New Business
Council discussed the county’s intent to introduce E-Z Pass and increase summer and off-season tolls on Ocean Drive bridges. The Cape May County Bridge Commission recently announced it is proposing a 50-cent increase for the off-season and a $1 increase in tolls for in-season. Council questioned why there is a need for such a large increase and agreed the city should approach the Bridge Commission for answers. Additionally, they raised concern about the need for E-Z Pass on the bridges that would still require personnel to open and close the drawbridges.
The Bridge Commission will meet to vote on the toll increase April 27, at which time there is to be a hearing on the matter.
Kehner said that maybe the time had come to consider reducing the water and sewer rates since over the past several years there has been an excess in collections.
Also for consideration was using the excess funds to pay down debt or use for capital items instead of using bond funding and incurring more debt.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.