Trooper Barracks Needs Upgrade; Borough’s Last Doctor Ends Practice

WOODBINE – At its regular meeting Sept. 17 Woodbine Borough Council unanimously approved resolutions related to reconstruction of Heilprin Avenue.
The first awarded a contract to RTW Construction for $182, 415 to improve the drainage along this main borough thoroughfare. Woodbine received funding for this project from the N.J. Department of Transportation Local Aid Infrastructure Fund.
The other resolution approved was to apply for a new grant that will continue reconstruction work along Heilprin to the intersection with Sumner Avenue. Borough Engineer Bruce Graham will submit the related application.
Police Barracks Ballistics Upgrade
Mayor William Pikolycky updated council on the status of a request by the Woodbine State Police Barracks to upgrade its facility to a “Level IV” standard.
“Once we have the architect’s report we can decide whether we want borough professionals to complete the whole job or turn the project over to the state to construct and manage,” said Pikolycky.
“The Franklin Street barracks already have done a similar upgrade to their walls and windows but it’s only a Level III standard and here they want a Level IV for whatever reason,” he continued.
“Bridgeton also has finished a ballistics upgrade and the cost was about $50,000 and we expect the project here to be in the $75,000 – $80,000 range so we’ll also see what priorities the state decides on since there are about 25-30 facilities in the entire state that need upgrading,” he said.
Vacant Properties
Council member Louis Murray reported that the borough’s “small businesses were doing OK but that there seems to be a huge number of vacant properties and that the number is growing.”
Borough Clerk Lisa Garrison replied, “We are using our vacant property ordinance more and more to get owners to register and maintain these properties, as of now we’ve sent out about 60 letters but every day there seems to be another vacant property reported to us. We are getting responses back so that is good and for those that are bank owned we are getting paid the taxes owed.”
Ruling on COAH
Solicitor Richard Tonetta said that he had attended, along with representatives of other municipalities, a Sept. 10 hearing with Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson presiding to decide on pending Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) issues related to the precedent-setting Mt. Laurel affordable housing decision and its requirements.
“Judge Johnson said he will be granting immunity to the municipalities despite the objections of the opposing attorneys and is scheduled to give his full opinion Sept. 18. The judge said that he will be seeking to engage a master to help supervise the case and an expert planner; he also will be requiring all municipalities to pay into an escrow fund in the amount of $2,000. He indicated that as more funds are needed he will require the municipalities to pay more based on their size and level of cooperation.”
Verizon Requests Right of Way
Tonetta said that Verizon is currently deploying and maintaining its lines and poles based on a right of way ordinance that has not been updated for 50 years.
“I am looking to see how we can now be fully compensated for their use of our property where they have installed their poles and other necessary lines and where it becomes more difficult to maintain our property,” said Tonetta.
“Be sure you get them to establish an escrow account so that they are operating in good faith with the borough and that all costs, including legal, are covered,” instructed Pikolycky to which agreed is an entirely reasonable position.
Last Doctor Closes Office
Pikolycky said with great regret that Woodbine’s last solo practitioner, Dr. Andrew Drake, will be closing his office and that his practice will be taken over by Cape Regional Physicians Group.
“With Obamacare, and now that we have socialized medicine, it’s impossible for solo doctors to continue and keep up with all the paperwork and infrastructure now needed although we have always had a doctor practicing in the borough,” said Pikolycky.
“I talked with the president of Cape Regional and asked him to reconsider having this practice split in just two locations, Cedar Square in Upper and another location in Lower Township. I think they’ll be able to keep a location in Woodbine but we’ve got to make sure to use it since it will be an additional expense for them and it has to be justified.” 
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.