Woodbine Councilmen Take Oaths; Mayor Delivers Annual Address

WOODBINE – In spite of a blizzard and state of emergency Jan. 4, the borough held its annual meeting to administer oaths to returning Councilmen Hector Cruz and David Bennett.
Cruz was sworn for his second term by Councilman Michael Benson.
Cruz remarked, “I would like to take time to give a special thanks to all my constituents for giving me the opportunity to serve as their councilperson and I also would to express a great thank you to my family for all their support.”
Bennett was sworn for his second term, also by Benson.
Bennett stated, “I would like to thank the residents of Woodbine for their support and for re-electing me. It has been an honor to serve with this mayor and council over the last three years. I look forward to continuing to serve to further improve the quality of life for the residents or this wonderful community.”
Mayor William Pikolycky delivered the State of the Borough Address. The following are some highlights:
In this 28th year of my administration, Council is hard at work on some issues and concerns; 2017 was a year in which significant proactive initiatives focusing on consolidation, infrastructure, economic development, public services, and education lead the agenda for the borough.
These activities relate directly to the sustainability of our rural setting in the Pinelands and their positive impacts on our community’s future.
We continue to hold the line on the local purpose tax rate, 23.5 cents per $100 of assessed value in 2017, and hope to continue to do so in the year ahead.
Our tax collection rate remains strong, currently above 98 percent.
Out of every tax dollar collected by the borough approximately only 15 cents in every dollar collected in taxes remains with the borough with the balance distributed to the school district and to the county.
For the first time in the borough’s history, Woodbine has been rated by Standard and Poors Global Ratings, which has assigned the Borough of Woodbine its A+/Stable” issuer credit rating.)
This past year saw the dissolution of our two municipal authorities—the Port Authority and the Municipal Utilities Authority, and their consolidation under the aegis of the borough, which will result in cost savings of well over $150,000 on an annual basis, thus saving local tax dollars.
Woodbine has been working with the freeholders/Economic Development Office designating Woodbine Municipal Airport as a site for an Integration Pilot Project for Unmanned Aircraft Systems—colloquially known as “drones” following several successful Emergency Management drone tests previously implemented at the Woodbine Municipal Airport.
We continue to work with the county on improving Routes 550 and 638 to ease traffic concerns.
Another major accomplishment was finalizing and receiving approval for our Flood Plain Management Plan.
As a result, property owners within the Borough are eligible to purchase low cost “preferred risk” flood insurance policies. In fact, 14 buildings that were previously in the AE Flood Zone will no longer be in that zone.
Both our bike path extension and our Open Space project have received Pinelands approvals, and we are in the process of going out to bid for Phase 1.
County Open Space Grant funding of over $484,000 will enable us to initiate work on the Borough’s plans for a 25-acre Eco-park which has been designed with considerable community input. Because this park is immediately adjacent to Woodbine Elementary School’s Community School Complex, our students will benefit from courses that are conducted in this ‘classroom in nature’ as will our local County Library Branch.
USDA continues to provide funding for the Food Distribution Site at our Public Safety Building. To date, over $50,000 has been approved in grants for this Facility which now has the proper setting and equipment for our Faith-based Community to offer nutritional resources for the needy in our community and the surrounding area. Also, this building doubles as our Public Safety Center for the northern Cape May County area.
Also in regards to public safety, we have received grants totaling over $530,000 from AFG, USDA, and DCA for our fire department to upgrade both equipment and purchase a state-of-the-art pumper truck.
We have also renewed our five-year lease agreement with the New Jersey State Police, with their Barracks in Woodbine afford an added measure of protection for residents, businesses, and visitors.
We recently submitted an application through the NJEIT program for a $100,000 water system asset management grant.
We are working with the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority and the State Department of Human Services to implement a sanitary wastewater collection system. This is another example of the partnerships Woodbine has established with State & County entities.
The project will not only provide adequate public sanitary sewer service for the Borough’s population but also ensure that the operational capacity of the Woodbine Developmental Center, a State-operated facility for developmentally disabled persons, can continue to be a viable resource. The first phase of this project is estimated to cost $4.8 Million. An application to USDA requesting a grant of $3.6 Million is pending approval in Washington.
Also, we are embarking on a $3-million water improvement system which was recently approved by USDA and the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust and includes $2 million in grants.