Stone Harbor Council President Reviews 2022 Highlights

STONE HARBOR – At the last meeting of the year, Stone Harbor Council President Reese Moore gave a public summation of what he deemed the borough government’s accomplishments in 2022.
Moore spoke of filling key positions in the borough leadership team with the hiring of Manny Parada as Director of Public Works and Shannon McPherson as Recreation Director.
Infrastructure improvements cited by Moore included a new stormwater management plan and continuing efforts to deal with flood mitigation, a cost savings of $450,000 in the borough road programs, and ongoing compliance with a state requirement to locate and remove any lead that may be in water distribution lines. Moore also lauded the new trash convenience center which he said was well received by the public.
With regard for beach and bay management, Moore cited the borough’s hiring of Mott MacDonald’s Douglas Gaffney as a coastal engineering consultant. He referenced the development of a feasibility study and computer modeling capability aimed at defining short, intermediate and long-term options for improving beach management.
Moore took time to talk about the expanded recreation programs and tourism events which he said add to the attractiveness of the Stone Harbor environment.
Turning his attention to environmental stewardship, Moore spoke of the borough’s water conservation efforts, its revision of sewer and water rates in ways that established a tiered rate structure, and the installation of new water meters throughout the borough.
With respect to public safety, Moore lauded the completion of the new Beach Patrol Building at 95th Street and the beach, while praising the efforts of all the borough’s public safety departments.
Moore ended his summation of highlights with a reference to the bedrock of finance and administration which he called the foundation for much of what the borough accomplished. Moore said the borough eliminated $5.1 million in general long-term debt in 2022 and $1.6 million of such debt in its separate water and sewer utility.