CREST HAVEN – A landscape architect unveiled plans for enhanced beautification of the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery at the July 25 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Tom Carman, principal of Melillo Bauer Carman with offices in Brielle and Jersey City, addressed the board with designs for renovating the circle area near the Crest Haven Road cemetery entrance.
Due to its proximity to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Vortec – a small, low, white building southeast of the cemetery that provides aircraft navigation information – flagpoles cannot exceed 20 feet in height.
Envisioned by Carman in the “just under” $1.3 million project would be, among other upgrades, a pergola that would provide shade for crowds, such as at the Memorial Day observance. He also mentioned the possibility of repositioning the veterans’ obelisk to give it more visual impact. The five military service flags with the American flag as a centerpiece would gain prominence, with the addition of a brick wall and benches for those who wish to reflect on the life of a loved one who served in the military.
“We are excited about this. It is something we all support, and would like to see it take place,” Commissioner Director Leonard Desiderio said.
Details must be finalized. Carman will return to a later meeting before work begins. He seeks to have the work completed by Memorial Day 2024.
Capital Upgrades Planned
At the meeting, the board introduced a $1 million capital ordinance to fund the acquisition and installation of various county buildings’ heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC).
The upgrades will include the William E. Sturm Administration Building, Dr. Leon Schuck Health Department Building, Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, County Courthouse, and various county libraries.
A second reading of the document will be held Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Administration Building on Moore Road.
Church Road to Be Repaved
A $1.8 million contract was awarded to South State Inc. to resurface Church Road (CR 602) in Upper Township. The firm was the lower of two bids seeking the contract. The road links Route 9 with Tuckahoe Road.
The contract with T&M Associates for engineering work on the Church Road project was increased by $40,164 to “additional work not previously included in the original scope of the project,” according to the resolution.
Commonwealth Avenue No Parking Zone
A Strathmere resident attended an earlier board meeting and told of a parking situation on Commonwealth Avenue (CR 619) near that community’s Corson’s Inlet Bridge.
As a result of that complaint, the board designated a no-parking zone along CR 619 on the west side from the “southerly approach joint” of the bridge “and extending south for a distance of 1,081 feet.”
Also, on the east side, “Beginning at the southerly approach joint of Corson’s Inlet Bridge and extending south for a distance of 401 feet.”
Copies of the designation were to be sent to Upper Township and the New Jersey State Police, Woodbine Station.
Federal Medicaid Funds Accepted
The board approved the receipt of $817,576 in federal Medicaid assistance.
The funds represented a 6.2% increase from the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act of March 2020. The money was channeled through the state Department of Human Services Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services.
New Board Established
The board established a Local Emergency Planning Committee due to an executive order. The State Emergency Response Commission, April 20, 2022, authorized the county to form the entity.
The county’s Office of Emergency Management will administer the local group. The county emergency management coordinator will make membership appointments and terminations from the local group.
The group must report its results after one year.
