SIC Discussion Focuses on Safety

SEA ISLE CITY – Sea Isle City Council held its regular meeting on Sept. 8 marking the last time that it will meet at its old location in the elementary school.
On Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. Mayor Leonard Desiderio will open the new Municipal Complex on JFK Boulevard in a ceremony to which all residents and others interested are welcome.
Council passed with no comment during the public hearing portion and upon second reading an ordinance which provides for the amendment of revised general ordinances of the city pertaining to licensing and fee requirements of taxicabs.
The ordinance is designed to allow public transportation, such as provided by Uber and others, to continue operating while allowing for their regulation.
Boulevard Construction
Safety issues that are affecting city residents and motorists took up the preponderance of council’s discussion.
Council member John Divney noted that pedestrians and bikers still are a concern on the Sea Isle Boulevard which has no shoulders whatsoever and very narrow two lanes of traffic due to ongoing construction.
“I suggested last meeting that the N.J. State Police install cameras so that this very dangerous situation can be monitored and corrected,” said Divney.
Desiderio responded “I have been observing more police patrols not only from the State Police but also the Sheriff’s Office and our own city police so we’ll look into getting precise numbers from their patrols and report back to council.”
In tandem with the boulevard construction, Desiderio said that when it is closed motorists will not be required to pay bridge tolls at either end of Ludlam Island north or south.
Beach Replenishment Nears Completion
Business Manager George Savastano gave an update on the final stages of the beach replenishment project.
“The dredge incurred a broken cutterhead shaft and needed to return to Norfolk, Va., for repairs. North of 82nd Street is for the most part now complete, there are only one to two weeks left to complete the remaining work in the south end and we expect that final phase will start Sept. 22.”
No Regulation Regarding Drones
During the public comment period, Dan Tumolo, school board president, said he had gone to an Ocean City football game and that the referees needed to suspend the game for about 15 minutes due to a low overfly of a drone.
“I spoke to the county prosecutor who said there really are no laws yet that regulate this type of activity, maybe we should look into the matter of privacy and security protection by regulating drone activity in Sea Isle,” Tumolo said.
Pedestrian and Biker Street Safety
Several residents opined during the public comment period that state law that allows pedestrians to cross at designated cross walks after making eye contact with motorists to stop is dangerous.
“Many simply start walking into the street, sometimes leading with a baby carriage or a young child on a bike. They don’t realize, or don’t want to, that motorists, even if they want to stop, can’t see them and it takes too long to stop safely,” said one resident.
“It’s amazing no one has been killed and let’s do a better job of getting more notice and educational information about this law out to the renters, realtors, children and even bikers,” recommended another resident.
Council agreed that this safety issue was one that needed immediate attention and will work to develop literature that can be used by the police and published in the city’s newsletter. The focus of this effort is that all should work together with pedestrians also playing a role in the safe enforcement of the law.
Submerged Jetties
Due to the beach replenishment project, the city’s jetties are submerged by sand although as Desiderio described, “with shifting tides some have already been uncovered.”
Council agreed with several residents that these areas should be marked with signs denoting “submerged hazard” so that ocean bathers and beach walkers have clear notice.
Beach Tag Revenue Up
Desiderio announced that collections through Aug. 31 of beach tag fees was $1,415,800 against a total 2015 budgeted amount of $1,280,000.
“Beach tag sales also pick up around Christmas and are counted in this year’s totals so we will be well ahead of our budgeted expectations for beach tag revenues,” said Desiderio. 
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.