Times Talk
Avalon Borough Council President Sam Wierman with wife Elissa and children Penny and Sammy.
WIERMAN IS NEW AVALON COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Sam Wierman was named president and Jamie McDermott vice president when the Avalon Borough Council held its annual reorganization meeting on July 1.
New committee assignments were also approved. McDermott now serves on the Environmental Commission, and Mari Coskey took a position on the Insurance Committee previously held by Barbara Juzaitis.
“We have outstanding leadership on Borough Council with Sam and Jamie,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “It’s great to see young leadership from individuals like Sam and Mari Coskey serving on Council, and we look forward to innovating projects led by Council over the coming months.”
Along with Wierman, McDermott, Coskey and Juzaitis, John McCorristin completes the Council lineup.
“I am excited for the opportunity to be Council President and I am proud to continue to represent Avalon,” Wierman said. “I have lived on the island my whole life, and am now raising my family here. It’s such a great place to live because of all the work that goes on behind the scenes, and I look forward to being a part of it.”
Go to avalonboro.net for Borough Council meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes.
Sgt. Anthony Tirelli Jr., Detective Cassandra Tirelli, and Officer John VanEtten of the Stone Harbor Police Department.
SHPD ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS, HIRE
Stone Harbor Police Chief Tom Schutta announced the promotion and appointment of new officers at a recent Council Meeting. Officer Anthony Tirelli Jr. was promoted to patrol sergeant, Officer Cassandra Tirelli was appointed detective, and John VanEtten was hired as a full-time officer.
Sgt. Tirelli received a bachelor’s degree from Wilmington University and began his career with the Vineland Police Department in 2010. He was hired as a seasonal officer with the Stone Harbor Police Department in 2011 and was promoted to full-time in 2012 moving up through the ranks to patrol officer, detective, and now patrol sergeant.
Detective Tirelli received a bachelor’s degree from Oregan State University and began her career with Stone Harbor as a seasonal and then a full-time officer in 2016. Tirelli has been a patrol officer until her recent appointment as detective.
Officer VanEtten received his degree from Rowan University and began his career with the Wildwood and Egg Harbor Township police departments. He was scheduled to attend the full-time basic police officer recruit training at the Cape May County Police Academy through August.
“We are blessed to have these positions filled by individuals that have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform, and put simply are great people,” Schutta said. “I look forward to working with all three officers in their respective capacities to continue our service to the community. Our sincerest gratitude goes to Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour, Borough Council, and Administrator Robert Smith for their unwavering support of the police department.”
In addition to the appointments, Stone Harbor welcomed seasonal officers graduating from the Cape May County Police Academy on June 30: Alexandra Mardell, Brandon Bess, Ryan Fanelli, and Michael McDonald.
REMEMBER: REUSABLE BAGS NOW THE LAW
A reminder for visitors to Avalon and Stone Harbor: The statewide ban on single-use carryout bags and polystyrene foam food-service products is in effect. This means that when you load up your cart at the grocery store with everything you need for the week, if you don’t have reusable bags, plan to purchase some … or unload the cart into your vehicle item by item.
The new regulations were set forth starting May 4 by Gov. Phil Murphy. It is the most advanced law on single-use plastic products in the country. And our vacationers are feeling the effects, especially when visiting from out of state.
The law bans the use of single-use plastic bags, regardless of thickness, in any retail establishments, including food-service businesses and grocery stores. In addition, paper bags are no longer allowed to be used by grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet. The new regulations also restrict the use of Styrofoam products in food-service locations, meaning no restaurants can serve food out of Styrofoam products.
The boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor took the initiative to ban single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and Styrofoam in 2019 as a component of a Clean Water Initiative.
Visit nj.gov/dep for more information – and remember to bring your bags into the store while shopping!
LEGION DONATES TO AVALON, SH FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The American Legion Post 331 gathered in July to present donation checks of $1,000 each to the Avalon and Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Departments.
The two donations were part of the Legion’s goal to donate $50,000 to local organizations by the completion of 2022. Major contributions have also been made to various organizations including the Vineland Veterans Home ($15,000), the Citizens Veterans Advisory Committee ($8,000), the Middle Township Naval Defense Cadet Corps ($5,000), Cape Regional Medical Center ($3,000), Veterans Haven South ($2,000), and Guitars for Vets ($1,000).
Post 331 has been supporting these local organizations throughout the years, providing funds for education, major renovations and improvements, and veteran assistance including transportation, temporary financial support, housing, and more.
“This is a fine example of veterans still serving the nation, the state, and the communities that they live in,” said Legion Commander Tom McCullough. “We are proud to support the four pillars of the American Legion, and giving back to the community and endeavors such as this is our goal.”
The Stephen C. Ludlam Post 331 was chartered in 1946 and has been welcoming veterans from all branches of the armed forces since it was established. Go to stephencludlampost331.org for more information.
The south-end beaches of Stone Harbor at 123rd Street and the Point are now open to the public after the completion of an emergency beach-replenishment project.
SH POINT BEACH REPAIRS COMPLETED
The Borough of Stone Harbor announced the completion of emergency repairs to the south-end beaches at Stone Harbor Point, and that the beach is now accessible to the public. The access ramp to the Point and the 123rd Street beach was closed due to severe erosion resulting from the May storms that hit Cape May County.
The replenishment was approved via emergency authorization from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The repairs, completed by the Department of Public Works, included the replenishment of 436 cubic yards of sand for the beach, and 128 tons of I5 gravel for the access ramp.
“Emergency beach repairs require speed and coordination,” said Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour. “I am extremely pleased with the collaboration between Borough Administrator Bob Smith, consultant Doug Gaffney, and our Public Works Team, who were quickly able to obtain approvals, develop a plan and then complete the project ahead of schedule. The results are fantastic, and we now have clear and safe access to the beach and Point, which our visitors will enjoy throughout the rest of the summer.”
Access to the Point and 123rd street beach should remain open throughout the remainder of the season, and discussions are ongoing with the Army Corps of Engineers for a larger beach replenishment project in 2023.
TRASH COLLECTION CHANGES SET FOR 2023
The Boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor plan to move to use uniform, roll-out solid waste and recycling containers for trash collection beginning in May 2023.
Stone Harbor will require homeowners to have an ANSI Z245.60 – 2008 Type B plastic receptacle with suitable handles, wheels, metal bar, and tight-fitting covers, with up to a 96-gallon capacity. In addition, a change for trash collection went into place on July 11: All Stone Harbor properties with a pool or pets now need to move their trash receptacles outside of their fenced area, and cans will be returned to outside (no longer inside) the fenced area. Avalon also recently changed its policy on trash can return from yard-side to curbside in order to maintain the current trash collection schedule through the summer.
“The Borough’s intention is to continue to provide the same high-quality trash collection that our homeowners and visitors expect,” said Stone Harbor Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour. “These minor changes will streamline the service while improving safety during the collection process.”
The Borough of Avalon will provide one roll-out trash cart and one roll-out recycling cart to every household prior to the launch of the program. Businesses will also be provided with one 2-yard container, where applicable. The 96-gallon carts are also microchipped so that any containers lost to the streets in the event of storms or flooding can be returned to the proper house. Because they are more heavy-duty and wind-resistant – with sturdy lids – the use of these new containers will also protect the island’s wildlife by preventing trash from being blown around.
“We are excited about the transition to the new solid waste and recycling containers as we continue to improve our waste disposal programs in Avalon,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “This program checks all of the boxes regarding financial and environmental issues with solid waste disposal and we anticipate seeing remarkable improvements as soon as the containers are rolled out to our community.”
Avalon is currently seeking to bid for new contracts that include side-yard return – where trash haulers bring containers back to the sides of homes instead of leaving them curbside – as an option. The 2023 budget will account for the purchase of new carts for all Avalon homes and businesses.
“Magical Beach Mist” by Deana Sasdelli won Best in Show for the Avalon Historical Society’s annual photo contest.
AHS ANNOUNCES PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
Deana Sasdelli’s entry, “Magical Beach Mist,” was named Best in Show when the Avalon Historical Society announced its winners in its annual photo contest.
There also were winners selected from among dozens of entries in four categories: Avalon, Nature, Scenic, and Portrait & Personality. The contest judges were local photographers Scott Prince, Al Campbell and Suzanne Dagit.
“A love for Avalon drove me to enter,” said Sasdelli, who has owned a home in Avalon for 34 years. “I was shocked and positively thrilled when I received the call that I’d won!”
Rose Marie Chew, the secretary of the Avalon Historical Society, said the goal of the contest is to encourage amateur photographers to take photos and get their work out there.
“We would even encourage children to participate, if they like to take photos,” Chew said.
The winners for each category:
Avalon: John Kauterman, “Surf’s Up”
Nature: George Wallace, “Osprey Nest Sunset”
Scenic: Judi Rogers, “Morning Bliss”
Portrait & Personality: Judi Rogers, “Harry”
This contest is over, but if you’re looking for somewhere to submit your photos, send them to info@visitavalonnj.com for the 2022 Summer Memories Photo Contest! See the Avalon Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for details.
Visit avalonhistoricalsociety.org for more information on the Avalon Historical Society’s events.
