Upper Ponders Safety During Parkway Bridge Construction

PETERSBURG – Upper Township Committee held its regular meeting Aug. 29, a week later than usual because of vacation schedules.
Parkway Bridge Project
In response to several committee member questions, Engineer Paul Dietrich gave an update on the major bridge construction over Great Egg Harbor which has been underway for a couple of years.
“I am expecting to have a comprehensive facility plan meeting with counterparts from the state and the county as well as from Somers Point to work out latest details. These would include what are the plans for the Upper portion of the bike and walk path.”
Mayor Richard Palombo noted that he had learned “Two weeks ago there was a vehicle which caught on fire and eventually exploded. There was no access southbound at the toll plaza and even though we had heard at the start of this project access would not be a problem, and fortunately, there were no fatalities, this accident is a perfect example that access is failing already.
“Rescue squads coming from Somers Point had to back up for a long distance on the northbound side to access the vehicle in flames.”
Illegal ATV Use
Similar to several other municipalities, such as Dennis Township, Upper has its frustrations with illegal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use in secluded off-road areas of the municipality.
“I’ve been approached by residents of Perry Road, adjacent to the George Harms’ sand pit, that there were illegal ATV and motorcycle use going on. This facility has a mining permit, can we do something contingent with that or get the State Police to beef up patrols so that they don’t have this problem anymore?” asked Committee member John Coggins. “Even though the Harms pit is an inactive mining operation they still need to be aware there is a liability. About 10 or 15 years ago there was a drowning in one of the other sand pits when someone went through a broken fence and a clear indication of ‘no trespassing’ signs and the company still was liable, so they need to be very careful. Residents should continue to call the State Police because they will catch them as they exit, we’ve been doing this successfully in the past,” said Township solicitor Dan Young. Dietrich said he will stay on top of this problem.
Boat Ramp Sub-par
Coggins noted that he has been approached by residents who are complaining about the boat ramp near the Tuckahoe Inn. Pierson said he also had heard multiple complaints at meetings of the township Business Association.
“It’s in bad shape, there’s no doubt, I’m hoping to apply for a county Open Space grant that provides for access to waterways first quarter next year,” said Dietrich.
“We’re charging fees to use this ramp so we should have it in good working order,” added Palombo.
Various Resolutions Approved
Among some resolutions passed unanimously, one honored resident Dr. Steven Kornberg, M.D., on being selected as the Volunteers in Medicine 2016 Volunteer of the Year. “He works in a county facility in Court House used by county residents, so this is a big and fitting honor,” commented Palombo.
Another resolution covered the June report from Stockton University Coastal Research Center for Strathmere and Whale Beach.
“Beaches are growing especially with all the sand that’s been placed of late in the south part of Ocean City and Strathmere, itself. A lot of it is moving around; it’s in the process of both accumulating and settling in, particularly below the tide line where you can’t see it.
“There are some new erosional patterns developing but the sand is doing what it should to protect the beaches, and I’ve sent my comments regarding this report to the Army Corps of Engineers,” explained Dietrich.
Major Lacrosse Tournament in 2017
Committee discussed the request by Corrigan Sports to use Amanda’s Field for a major lacrosse tournament July 14-16, 2017 which has a national reputation in the sport.
“They have been working with us to be as compliant as possible, this will be good for the township and businesses for exposure, and we’ll be including in an upcoming resolution formal approval timelines, necessary state trooper presence, trash pick-up and the like, as well as payment and other details.
“For example, they want all 12 fields, and the concession stand for two days each of which costs $100 a day,” said Committee member Hobart Young.
Historical Museum
Committee discussed the interest of the township’s Historical Preservation Society to move to the former Municipal Building in Tuckahoe.
“The building will require major renovation just to get it ready. The Historical Society is planning to submit a proposal for grant funding and the initial estimates to renovate are $145,000. The grant requires a 50 percent matching investment so the society would ask the Township to split that cost equally and thus we would need to eventually approve $37,000 for this project,” reported Dietrich.
“We already have the Gandy Farmhouse, the Railroad Museum in Tuckahoe and the Friendship School that we are supporting and we don’t know what the actual costs will be to operate the building, liability and other insurance, maintenance, utilities and the like. And there’s no provision yet that the building could be used for other purposes or some kind of resident use,” rejoined Palombo.
No discussion was raised as to the projected numbers of visitors or more in-depth explanations for this expanded facility but committee will monitor the Society’s application for the county grant.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.