W. Wildwood Refunds Bonds; Names Karavan as Solicitor

WEST WILDWOOD ─ Borough commissioners met Feb. 3 as a cold wind swept in from the back bay. Commissioner Cornelius Maxwell officially welcomed the newly-appointed borough Solicitor Marcus Karavan. 
“He needed some more aggravation in his life,” Maxwell said with a smile, “so he (Karavan) thought he’d come over here.”
Karavan, welcomed by a round of applause, will serve as solicitor in light of Andrew Cafiero’s appointment as municipal court judge in Wildwood and Avalon.
Maxwell also explained the absence of Mayor Christopher Fox, who was “detained” at his post as city administrator in Wildwood.
Two ordinances went before commissioners, both on first reading.
The first provides “for the refunding of all or a portion of the borough’s outstanding 1992 general improvement bonds and the 1994 general improvement bonds.”
Explained by Borough Clerk Donna Frederick, the bond ordinance will allow West Wildwood to “restructure” its remaining debt from the 1990s.
“We took on some debt,” Frederick said, explaining that infrastructure projects during the era caused the “outstanding” bonds. The appropriation is not to exceed $1.05 million.
A second ordinance provides $600,000 in pursuing “various capital improvements” throughout the municipality.
After passing the resolutions, Maxwell called upon Maureen Smith, president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, for an update.
Smith announced that a soup take-out would commence March 11. Described as “all homemade,” the proceeds from selling quarts of soup will benefit the West Wildwood Fire Department.
“We look forward to doing this,” said Smith on behalf of the membership and added that past soup events brought “a good profit.”
Commissioner Scott Golden announced that a contract had been signed for “the back of the island,” the project will provide the reconstruction for various streets such as Mueller Avenue, Avenue R, and S.
Golden expects work to begin this month.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.