Light Up the Sky
AVALON – Among Fourth of July events planned from the 1st to the 4th, Avalon will present a fireworks display from a barge offshore. Council reviewed the numerous regulations and requirements it would have to comply with to set up a 20-minute program using 12-inch shells, larger than can be released on land, with Construction Official Salvatore DeSimone April 5. Bids need to go out to find a vendor before permits can be obtained. Plans for the weekend also include annual race events, a parade, a pig roast and fires on the beach to promote a luau ambiance.
Seek Funds for Park
DENNISVILLE – Township Committee has decided to seek its portion of the county’s $3.8- million Joint Venture Program to upgrade Chestnut Street Park. A resolution adopted April 4 recites that the funds will be used for access improvements, playground equipment and safety improvements. Freeholders have determined that the township is entitled to a maximum $50,000 based on 2005 tax assessments of $391,820,600. After last year’s revaluation, the township ratable base has just about tripled bringing it over $1 billion.
No Move for School
DENNISVILLE – Plans to possibly move the Ludlam School here to allow the township to sell the property it currently sits on have been given up. Andrew Previti, township engineer, told committee members April 4 that he had been advised that moving the building would destroy its historical character which depends on having been in place for so long. That would eliminate opportunities for funding repairs. A second reason to quash the idea is the fact related by Mayor Ruth Blessing that the property has been determined to be undersized for the zone it is in.
Cosby, Yes; Booze, ?
AVALON – Comedian and actor Bill Cosby will do a show in Avalon 7 p.m. June 24 to raise money for a number of county charities. Still being debated: Where to hold a pre-event reception where alcohol would be served, according to Stacy LaRocca-Tracy, supervisor of curriculum and instruction at the borough’s elementary school. Both the library and school, in the same building, have non-alcohol policies, Library Director Margo Locke, told the Herald, but on April 6 library trustees agreed to send a letter to the Avalon Board of Education to waive that policy for the reception. Cosby’s appearance is sponsored by Life is Good, a New Hampshire Sports Company, according to Tracy.
Penny-Hike Works
STONE HARBOR — Municipal Auditor Glen Ortman sat patiently at borough council’s April 4 meeting. He was armed with figures just in case a taxpayer asked about the $10.2-million municipal budget that seeks $7 million from taxes. No one asked anything. Council passed the budget, which increased the local tax rate by one cent, to 19.6 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Pay Up Front
STONE HARBOR — Sounds like one of those Canadian lottery scams that part many people from their money: We have a big chunk of money that’s yours, but you have to pay up front, then you get that hefty loot. But this is no scam. Borough council on April 4 introduced a $1 million bond ordinance, with hearing May 2 at 4:30 p.m., for upgrades at Bay Marine Park (municipal marina). Then, the county will kick in $426,416 from its one-time Municipal Public Improvement Joint Venture Program. “We have to provide all up front funding,” said Councilman Karl Giulian.
Variance Vacated
STONE HARBOR — A use variance granted to cellular telephone provider Nextel Communications of the MidAtlantic, Inc. for antennae and equipment atop Hall Harbor Condominium, 351 96th St. by the local zoning board of adjustment was vacated April 3 by Superior Court Judge Steven Perskie’s order. The judge noted that Nextel failed to provide notice to the condominium association, plaintiffs and other unit owners of the purpose, date, time and place of the use variance application, in violation of state municipal land use law. He also stated the condo association failed to make similar notice to plaintiffs and others.
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