Upper Buys Beach Path-clearing Loader, Strathmere Citizens Ask About Upgrades

PETERSBURG – Upper Township Committee’s regular meeting was July 25. Through a number of resolutions, it ensured the municipality’s operational priorities. 
These included authorizing the purchase of a Case TR-270 Compact Track Loader for $78,111. Deputy Mayor Edward Barr, chairing the meeting in the absence of Mayor Richard Palombo, noted, “This equipment will help us clear pathways to the beach. We anticipated the budget for this item at $100,000, so this is quite a savings.”
This acquisition was made through the National Joint Powers Alliance National Cooperative Contract with funds from the 2016 Capital Improvement bond ordinance previously approved by Committee.
Another resolution approved was an authorization of a small mini-loader with three additional implements in the amount of $36,000. This purchase was covered as well from the Capital Improvement Bond ordinance.
New Business
Under “New Business” committee considered, and ultimately approved, a request from G4 Productions for the use of Caldwell Park on Stagecoach Road as a rest stop for a “Young Survival Coalition,” a charity bike ride Sept. 18.
“They are in compliance with the necessary approvals including from emergency management, the police, and fire departments as well as the freeholders, and they even have taken into account the football schedule for games played at Caldwell,” explained Township Clerk Barbara Young.
Committee approved the receipt of the annual report for 2015 from Stockton University’s Coastal Research Center on the condition of Strathmere beaches and Corson’s Inlet.
Upon the advice of Solicitor Daniel Young, the governing body directed Engineer Paul Dietrich to transmit the report to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Coastal Engineering as it was a reflection of intermediate changes in those two locations which will be of value in implementing any future projects.
Young apprised committee that bid results were in for the reconstruction of the Bayview boat ramp; a contract worth in the mid-$300,000 range.
“The second lowest bidder has protested although I don’t think any of his objections are material,” she continued. “I want to further review the bids and see if there are any items of significant difference that would affect the final decision.
“For example, the lowest bidder used “DBA” [i.e. “Doing Business As”] in some documents and in others used the company’s actual name. I don’t believe this use of any alternate name is inconsistent with state law. I talked with the second-lowest bidder and explained the situation so I don’t know if he will continue his protest, but let’s wait until the next meeting and perhaps hearings with these two bidders to finalize.”
Public Comment
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Karen Mitchell, president of Citizens of Strathmere and Whale Beach, asked what was the status of getting installed the play structure and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant swing?
She reminded committee, “We talked about these two items in the spring and it’s during the summer season that people want to use these items.”
Dietrich replied that the procurement process takes time, including obtaining quotes, because of the additional bond process he had just received authorization to purchase these items.
Mitchell also requested that faded yellow lines around the police and fire departments in the shore town be repainted, where possible, considering the ongoing Commonwealth Avenue construction project.
Another Strathmere resident talked about continuing concerns of jitneys making stops at unauthorized locations as well as much later than authorized, frequently until 3 or 4 a.m.
“Since this is a commerce agreement with the restaurants and not a transportation route we would really like to have what we agreed upon with the mayor and committee, i.e. no jitneys after 1:30 a.m. and no pickups on side or back streets and only at the Deauville Inn, Mildred’s and Fontana, be enforced.”
In response, Young said, “This is the first that I know you are not satisfied since I heard from the restaurant owners that everything was OK and did not investigate further. I will now do that and see how we can solve this issue.”
Upper resident Ralph Cooper, chairperson of the township’s Green Committee, urged residents, seasonal visitors, and committee members to visit the municipality’s Farmers’ Market on Route 9 in Seaville, a quarter mile north of the Acme.
“We only have a few weeks left, and we’d really like to finish strong and successful,” he said.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.