Wildwood Introduces Budget; Under Cap, No Tax Increase

WILDWOOD – “It’s good not to be the last city in New Jersey to introduce a budget,” said Mayor Ernie Troiano at the March 25 City Commission meeting. With comments ranging from art contests to help brighten the city to an “arctic thaw,” the meeting covered a wide range of subjects as the community’s eyes turn toward the future.
Before the regular meeting began, a work session proceeded with a comment from Municipal Administrator Christopher Fox, who suggested a resolution be reconsidered. The matter behind the resolution regarded a proposal for “construction, operation and management of seasonal food facility/food cart on the Wildwood beach” made by ROD, LLC.
Although the board first rejected the bid, Fox and others reexamined the numbers and suggested the bid be approved. “We wish David Bannon (the individual who made the bid) all the best,” said Fox after the meeting.
Notre Dame de la Mer Parish of Wildwood also sought the board’s approval for a raffle license for Sept. 7; according to the license application. Proceeds of the raffle will “to support and contribute to the aid of our schools – Cape Trinity Catholic and Wildwood Catholic High School.” The board unanimously granted approval.
“It’s that time in the meeting when we sit at the edge of our seat for the engineer’s report,” Troiano said. The city engineer commented on extensive repairs being made to several streets and roads – the construction projects will continue throughout the city in preparation from now until May.
A stretch of pipeline, running beneath Grassy Sound, is also on the schedule for repair.
Troiano stressed the importance of the various construction and reconstruction projects and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the inevitable detours. Smiles crossed the commissioners’ faces when the “arctic thaw” was mentioned in regard to roadway activity.
2015 Budget
The regular session came to order with introduction of the 2015 municipal budget.
“It’s been a good year for us,” said Commissioner Peter Byron. According to the city’s auditor, Wildwood will not experience a tax increase this year due to the fact of being below both the spending cap and tax levy.
A hearing on the budget will be held April 22 and a copy of the budget will be available in PDF form on the city’s website for the public to read.
Troiano thanked all department heads for their hard work. Troiano went on to thank the Wildwood Police Department for “cracking down on what has been awry in the past.”
Troiano described the police officers as being “into their jobs” – positive words in a time when many communities across the nation experience conflict between citizens and law enforcement.
“Watch out for each other,” Troiano admonished the gathering. He also thanked the fire department and other emergency personnel for their services.
Capt. Murphy
Commissioner Anthony Leonetti made an announcement: Capt. Joseph Murphy, of Wildwood Police Department, recently graduated from an advanced course at Quantico, Va. in investigative, management and fitness training.
Murphy is the seventh person in the history of Wildwood Police Department to be accepted into the FBI National Academy. “He is thrilled,” Leonetti stated.
Resolutions
A number of resolutions came before the board, including authorizing a shared services agreement with the city of North Wildwood for beach harvesting and transfer. Under state and federal regulations, sand will be transferred to beaches on the northern end of North Wildwood.
Wildwood also passed a revision of an ordinance concerning police staffing. According to the ordinance, “for economy and efficiency, it is necessary to change the number of full-time police officers in the Wildwood Police Department.” The full-time police staff is: one police chief, one deputy police chief, two captains, six lieutenants, five sergeants, and thirty-eight patrolmen.
Zipping Along
A “unique amenity” in the form of a zip line may hit Wildwood’s beach; according to a resolution, the commissioners wish to offer this opportunity to a private operator “to construct, operate, and manage such a concession.” A committee will be formed to review proposals from the private sector. Zip lines have grown in popularity and would be a draw for tourists.
Public Comment
When the floor was opened for public comment, a variety of questions arose. One of the questions concerned boarded-up properties on Pacific Avenue. “Actually, that is being addressed,” Troiano replied. “There’s too many boarded-up places.”
Troiano mentioned a possible art contest for the school district. Students could paint traffic boxes with seashore and other themes. The discussion turned to how matters on Pacific Avenue have “calmed down.” There will also be a heightened police presence in the area.
Catina Simmons, of Wildwood, presented comments regarding an issue with water. She recently met with the head of public works: “He came over, met with me, and dug out the beach right away,” said Simmons.
Apparently, some water stayed up on Rio Grande and Pacific avenues. Troiano went on to explain the city’s aim to displace some of the sand from around pipes in conjunction with North Wildwood.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.