Wildwood Tables Ordinance Second Time

WILDWOOD — The Wildwood Board of Commissioners once again tabled Ordinance 862-11 at its July 19 reconvened meeting.
The ordinance, known as the “rowdy house ordinance,” was presented for its second and final reading on July 13. At that time the commissioners decided to table the ordinance until additional information could be added that would give it more “teeth.” It was decided at that meeting to reconvene a special meeting on July 19.
“We want to pinpoint what is constitutional,” said City Clerk Chris Wood referring to the legality of the ordinance. “It’s not just what looks good, but what will hold up in court.”
The commissioners recessed the original meeting in order to gather information from other cities that have rowdy house ordinances. One municipality, Millville, has a rowdy house ordinance in place, which they have shared with the Wildwood commissioners.
“I expressed some concerns to the mayor,” said city solicitor Mark Karavan.
“Every time we think we have it figured out, another question comes up,” replied Mayor Ernie Troiano. “I’m going to reach out to Boston (another city with a rowdy house ordinance) and get a copy of theirs.”
With or without the ordinance the crackdown on rowdy houses has begun. “The fire department and police department have been doing an outstanding job,” said Troiano.
At the July 13 meeting several residents of Maple Avenue appeared before he commissioners expressing their frustration with rowdy houses on their street. At that meeting Troiano promised to take immediate action.
“Chris D’Amico went over to Maple Avenue with the police and fire departments,” said the mayor. “They blocked the street and did a sweep of the street. The people on the block were standing on their porches applauding.”
Troiano told the commissioners, “I am asking that we have this totally finalized for the next meeting (July 27). I don’t want people to think that we are not doing our jobs.”