Standing Tough Against Defaced Concrete, Obscenities, Not Handprints, Are Reason

OCEAN CITY – This resort’s City Council met April 13 and heard a query from resident Donna Bucher about the status of the north-end pumping station. 
“When I left for vacation, everything was all set for us to finally get a pumping station. As you know, the flooding just keeps getting worse. When I returned, I learned the pumping station has been delayed or even canceled; I don’t know. Please let us know what’s going on.”
In response, Mayor Jay Gillian said, “When we received the design concept it was an astronomical amount, three times our budget. They had made the project so massive like what is done in North Jersey.
“They had provided for pipes four times what they should be and not in multiple areas. That meant that the water would totally be directed to Sixth Street, so in effect just shifting massive amounts of water from one side to another.
“We can do more with a lot less money. We still have our grant, and we’ll be scheduling a town hall meeting soon. Everything will work out, and I apologize for the delay for which I take responsibility. I should have paid more attention.
“We’ll be getting Baker Consultants and use the successful model we have in Merion Park. We expect to go out for bids in the summer and start work in the fall.”
Committee member Keith Hartwell added, “The company knew what the budget was and assured us in a town hall meeting that they would comply. So, it’s not your fault at all” addressing Gillian. “Thank you for saying that. I can’t say anymore since we may be in litigation on this, but the bottom line is everything is going to work out,” summed up Gillian.
Defacing New Concrete
Council approved on second reading with no public comment a measure to put the burden of maintaining sidewalks on the part of owners who obtain permits for work in front of their property.
In effect, the property owner under this ordinance will be responsible for keeping watch over the site of sidewalk repair until the new concrete is set and cannot be defaced or damaged.
Under the ordinance, the owner also is responsible for fixing any damage done to the concrete during the work time frame and within 14 days when the damage took place.
If the property owner refuses, the city will take charge of the repairs, and the cost will accrue to the owner in the form of a lien against the property.
The owner will then have 60 days to pay the lien, which will begin to earn interest after 90 days. In the worst case, the tax collector would be permitted to enforce the lien by putting the property up for sale.
Council member Michael DeVlieger said he had received a call from a constituent asking, “Does this mean if my grandson and I put our initials in wet concrete we’ll be forced to re-do the work?”
City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson explained, “We’ll be looking at each situation on a case-by-case basis, using common sense. With so much construction going on, we’ve had instances of obscenities defacing new concrete. That’s what we’re concerned about. Small handprints and initials, we’ve all done that, and as long as it’s on a small portion of the block, that’s OK. We’re looking to prevent anything offensive.”
34th St. Bridge Closures
Business Administrator James Mallon told the council that the 34th Street Bridge would close from 10 p.m. that night, April 13, through 5 a.m. April 14.
It also will close completely from 10 p.m. April 17 through 5 a.m. April 18.
“Both closures will allow work crews to pour concrete for the remaining deck sections of the project. Drivers should seek alternate routes during the closures while this important work is finished so we can get ready to open both lanes again in early May,” he said.