Upper OKs 2017 Budget, Jitney Ordinance

PETERSBURG – This municipality’s committee met April 10. The first order of business was to approve a 2017 budget. Committee passed an ordinance to exceed the budget appropriation limits and to establish a “cap bank.” 
Committee authorized the reading of the 2017 budget by title only and then discussed the budget and additional line items.
Information from the township’s finance staff included that this year’s budget is $885,000 below the mandatory 3.5-percent cap for a total of about $12.52 million, and an approximate $202,000 increase. The increase comes from a $64,000 increase in salaries and wages of about 1.5 percent; health costs of $100,000, an increase of 5.5 percent; and $24,000 increase in capital items.
No local purpose tax increase was included since prior years had banked surplus which could be used this year. Additionally, fees from cell tower usage increased by $75,000.
There were three additional items requested to be included: $125,000 for asbestos abatement for the former town hall; $20,000 for architectural fees for possible renovation of that structure as a museum; and $26,000 for two new part-time Public Works employees.
“I don’t think two part-time public works people is enough to complete the many projects which have been sitting around for over three years,” said Committee member Hobart Young.
Deputy Mayor Edward Barr then rejoined, “Last year we approved three full-time public works staff, and as we resolve through some personnel issues we can’t discuss here, the supervisor thinks this will be sufficient.”
Committee approved all three additional items unanimously except for Young’s “nay” vote on the issue of the two public works part-timers.
There was no need to re-do the budget because of those items since their amounts were under the mandatory benchmark.
There was no public comment on these items nor the overall budget.
Jitney Service
The committee unanimously approved an ordinance which better regulates jitneys targeted in Strathmere.
Last summer, there had been complaints by residents and property owners that restaurants were hiring jitneys to transport customers late at night creating nuisances and inconveniences especially since many stops were outside private homes and the jitneys ran until 4 a.m.
Township Solicitor Daniel Young noted that this ordinance was modeled on standard regulations regarding jitney use by other municipalities, especially Sea Isle City.
“We’re starting out with a low fee to encourage applications, and we can always revise as we can along. Next, we’ll need discussion and then a resolution to determine hours of operation and exact stops where jitneys will pick and discharge passengers,” he said.
During public comment on the ordinance, Linda Bateman, president of the Strathmere Improvement Association said, “We don’t have a local police force as all the other municipalities do which have jitney transportation. We are concerned about safety and also that any stops include Whale Beach.”
Mayor Richard Palombo assured her that there would be ample time for residents’ comments before any resolution was drafted about the implementation of the ordinance before the start date of Memorial Day.
FEMA Maps
Township Engineer Paul Dietrich reported that he is placing different versions of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) flood maps on the municipal website.
“We’re also in the process of identifying addresses of residents who will or might be impacted by any changes in FEMA mapping and will be sending them letters of notification with more details,” he said.
Route 50 Bridge Detour
Dietrich said that the Tuckahoe bridge repair is going well but “to have a more timely completion with everything ready for Memorial Day we’ve been informed that the contractor needs a full detour implementation to remove a safety barrier, and cannot have ‘live’ traffic during this phase.
“This will take place on April 18 at 6 a.m. until April 21 at 6 a.m. So motorists will need to detour all the way to Head of the River during these four days.
Emergency vehicles will be allowed through, and state troopers will be on hand to help traffic along,” he explained.
Economic Development Committee
Committee member John Coggins said that the newly-formed Economic Development Committee chaired by Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt held its first meeting April 3, and will meet the first Monday each month.
“They’ve identified as priories more prominent signage, accentuate our historic sites; attract an upscale grocery store; develop bike paths; improve water and sewer infrastructure; fill empty commercial space, and hopefully find a brewery that wants to set up in the township,” said Coggins.
Palombo asked if the group had a vision statement, which is important for grant applications and to intersect with Upper’s master plan.
Dietrich said he would help the committee with efforts that have been done already by attending their next meeting.
Tuckahoe Train Station
Ralph Cooper, of the Upper Township Historical Society, announced that the historic Tuckahoe train station would hold its annual “open house” April 15 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
“This station was an early connector for the development of the northern part of the County and the southern Shore communities,” said Cooper.