Will Some Parking Meters Vanish from Atlantic Avenue? Commissioners Weigh Median Strip on Pacific Avenue

WILDWOOD CREST – Wildwood Crest Borough Commission held its July 22 meeting and discussed a variety of items.
Parking Meters
A proposal to eliminate parking meters on one side of Atlantic Avenue in the borough was broached keeping in mind that additional meters had been added about three years ago. Discussion will be ongoing regarding doing away with some of the parking meters with a target date for a decision to change the present situation sometime in August.
Add Median Strip?
Commission discussed a request to evaluate the potential of adding a median strip along Pacific Avenue which is before the planning board. The advantages of such a proposal are that the median strip will make it safer for pedestrians to cross as well as to provide a more attractive “gateway.”
An idea was floated to put in the median and then have one lane in each direction. “We need to get some broad ideas and opinions before taking any action,” said Mayor Carl Groon, “Maybe by next winter we can finalize one of these options and implement a plan.”
Seating at Sunset Lake
Because of storm damage “There is a unique chance to do something” regarding mitigation of future storms and seating at Sunset Lake, said Groon. Concrete is being poured for seating and lighting on the promenade. Gas heaters are being installed to complement the seating.
Bike Path Planning
Groon said the commission continues to work on this subject. “We are coordinating closely with the Open Space Committee, the Army Corps of Engineers and the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection so that we can keep pushing forward,” he explained.
Philip Baker Monument
Commission has received a request from a neighbor that the Philip Baker Monument be moved for undisclosed reasons despite the fact that, according to Groon, the borough is maintaining in excellent fashion the monument and surrounding landscaping.
Commission member Joyce Gould suggested that the borough consult with Douglass Monuments Inc. for its advice how to move the monument although there is no new location for it to move since the school has declined to serve as its new site.
Per the borough’s website, in the mid-1880’s the Baker Brothers bought a large tract of land on Five Mile Beach and developed what is the City of Wildwood.
Then, beginning in 1904, Philip P. Baker directed the founding of Wildwood Crest. This was his major business interest during the last 16 years of his life.
He was the first mayor of Wildwood Crest, first president of the fire company, first president of the Fishing Club, and a trustee of the Presbyterian Church in Wildwood, in addition to membership and participation in many other organizations.
Beach Bonfires
In 2013, borough commission implemented an ordinance that bonfires on the beach would be permitted if any requester received prior approval from the governing body.
During the public comment period, a request was made for permission to have such a bonfire. However, according to Groon, the request was the first commission had received since passing the ordinance, and at this point, there is no procedure in place to process such a request.
“Do we need a lawyer to approve this or other approvals?” queried Groon. “We need to look into how to handle this issue and move forward.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.