WEST WILDWOOD ─ Residents and officials of West Wildwood gathered in and outside borough hall to welcome the Christmas holiday season.
Elaine Crowley was sworn as the new chief financial officer for the borough in light of Neil Young’s resignation. Young will serve as deputy chief financial officer.
Mayor Christopher Fox congratulated Crowley and thanked her for her service to West Wildwood. “Elaine Crowley does a fantastic job for us,” Fox said. He said that during his time as mayor, the borough has never been “brought up” on an audit.
Under communications, Municipal Clerk Donna Frederick informed commissioners of two notifications from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) concerning two applications filed by the borough.
The first was for a “Waterfront Development Permit for Maintenance Dredging and Bulkhead Reconstruction at 515 W. Poplar Ave.” while the second involves a “Coastal General Permit 5” for the construction of a “new single family dwelling at 739 W. Poplar Ave.”
According to Frederick, requests for the permits are “just applications at this point,” yet the DEP has acknowledged the communications.
One ordinance went before the commissioners regarding the replacement of an existing ordinance and “determining the salaries and compensation to be paid to the elective and appointed officials and employees of the Borough of West Wildwood.” According to the ordinance, the “amounts” will be provided by “taxation and providing for the time and method of payment thereof.”
Festively adorned tables filled the hall as community members bustled in the kitchen, preparing refreshments for those who attended Dec. 1. Mayor Fox and commissioners brought the commissioners’ meeting to order at 6 p.m. as borough matters preceded the festivities.
During public comment, Maureen Smith, president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary announced that the Children’s Christmas Party would be held in borough hall Dec. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Another resident updated commissioners on a situation involving an abandoned property next to her home.
She thanked the police department for checking on her property and said the department is “fabulous.”
However, the abandoned structure left vacant in the wake of recent “super-storms,” poses a danger, according to the resident.
“I fear it will fall on my home,” she said. An adjacent empty lot also poses a threat to her property as water gushes onto her land due to a “bad” bulkhead. She described the matter as an “impending disaster” and a “hazard to all.”
“I’m asking you to help me,” the resident concluded. The resident provided a copy of her letter and a letter from a neighbor for the commissioners as well as pictures.
Fox assured her that action would be taken and Borough Administrator Chris Ridings added that the borough has spoken with the bank concerning the abandoned property. “I understand your frustration,” Ridings said.
After the meeting, those who attended gathered outside for the tree lighting and listened to the Margaret Mace Elementary School choir sing holiday selections, including “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
“I just love it,” Fox commented as the choir sang.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.
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