Voll Calls For Investigation of Seashore Line Funds

VILLAS — Lower Township Manager Michael Voll has requested Sen. Jeff Van Drew have the governor’s office investigate where tax dollars went to enhance Cape May Seashore Lines.
He noted Cape May Seashore Lines President Tony Macrie claims he hasn’t received any federal dollars.
“The funding received is distributed through the state Department of Transportation, or the NJ Transit,” said Voll. “The public deserves a complete audit on how much funding Cape May Seashore Lines has received, how it was distributed, and who received the money.”
He said it wasn’t that long ago tax payers invested “hundreds of thousands” to repair the trestle bridge over the Cape May Canal so trains could travel over the canal to provide a ride to Cape May.
After last week’s media reports, Voll said his office has received reports from volunteer groups and others who stated they have never received payment for services when the “Thomas the Train” event that took place a couple of years ago.
“It upsets me when local volunteer fire departments and rescue squad gets stiffed,” said Voll.” In my opinion, it is time that he is made accountable to the taxpayers. Also, pay the volunteer groups he promised payment to for their services.”
Voll said he witnessed a school bus almost rear ended in the fog because the bus had to stop on Route 47 at the railroad crossing.
“I am asking to have “Temporary Out of Service” signs until the train operator provides scheduled train service. Either they are going to operate or not, however my concern is the safety of our children on the buses and others that must stop by law,” said Voll.
He said this past week, NJ DOT placed yellow X signs at the crossings.
“In my opinion, this means you must “Stop, Look, and Listen” for a train. These were provided and installed by NJ DOT because the train operation hasn’t supplied the required warning lights and gates.”
Voll said he has received comments from neighboring elected officials.
“They are also disturbed that all the funding this train operation received and then never disposed of the railroad ties properly. The ties are stacked along the tracks throughout southern Cape May County,” he said.
Voll said the railroad operation should either operate, or be ‘Temporary Out of Service’ or ‘Out of Service’ – once and for all.”
He said making school buses, fuel vehicles, and other types stop at these crossings are like having a traffic signal in the middle of a desert, no traffic, no train it just doesn’t make sense.”