PETERSBURG – This municipality’s Township Committee met March 13 and quickly passed some resolutions including one honoring Matthew Holmes for attaining Eagle Scout.
Committee also approved several requests for using township facilities including an Upper soccer request to use Amanda’s Field for a Shore Shoot Out event July 7-9, an Endless Summer Soccer Tournament Sept. 2-3, and a Halloween Tournament Oct. 28.
St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish’s request was approved for use of the Strathmere beach at East Williams Road for a Sunrise Mass April 16.
FEMA Map Changes
Engineer Paul Dietrich said that Sea Isle City and Ocean City might be leaning to accept new FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) maps for insurance purposes. He started the dialogue as to whether Upper should do the same.
“The process is that we would formally make known our intentions to FEMA to accept the new elevation standards and then they would send a letter to the township accepting.
“Waiting might cause confusion because FEMA’s new study will change elevation levels that are in the flood zone. The mapping does not include more recent storm data from Sandy, Irene, and Joaquin when there were record levels.
“This could make it better or worse for Strathmere, although the change in their elevation has only seen a difference of about six inches over the years. However, some properties between Route 9 and the Parkway are in flood zones lying on top of tributaries, streams and other water sources so although they’re not traditionally thought of as being in a flood zone sometimes they are. “In the past FEMA guidelines have been more restrictive but we just don’t know what will happen with the new mapping,” said Dietrich.
Committee member John Coggins asked, “There are benefits to property owners potentially but are there any negatives?”
“We need more information for prudent decision-making,” interjected Mayor Richard Palombo. “Let’s get more details and then make an outline of what we’re talking about, and we can put this item back on the agenda when we’re ready,” he said.
New Street Light
Committee approved a resolution addressing a request by Tom and Debbie Tower, who followed up on their request previously presented to the township for installation of a street light on Harbor Road.
“This street is at the end of a main road, it’s a cul-de-sac so for safety reasons we would like to install this light so that people can safely turn around,” explained Dietrich.
Remedial Investigation
Committee discussed how to proceed with the 20-year-long issue of soil remediation for the Samuel Migliaccio property.
“Right now, this property is under a ‘tax certificate’ rather than a tax lien or foreclosure because we want to clean up the soil first. There has been some remediation of the underground tanks, and there exists a relatively small amount of contaminated soil remaining. We need to replace what’s contaminated with clean soil but that would cost, by one estimate, $50,000 so we’re looking at state grants. A concern is that DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) is not quick to make a decision but hopefully funding is available and we can access that,” said Dietrich.
Committee decided to table the issue awaiting word from DEP on funding, possibly within a month.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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