Times Talk
AVALON TO STUDY NORTH-END FLOODING CAUSES
The Borough of Avalon recently announced plans to conduct a study that will examine the causes and potential solutions for nuisance flooding issues in the Borough’s north-end beach blocks east of Avalon Avenue. The study was presented during the Aug. 9 Borough Council meeting and passed by resolution during the regular session meeting. Mott MacDonald will conduct the study from 10th to 27th Street for a lump-sum fee of $48,400.
“Every shore community has experienced nuisance flooding from two very heavy rain events that have occurred this summer, most recently on Saturday morning, July 29,” Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi said. “Our north-end beach blocks experienced very unusual street flooding during these events despite as-designed performance by our pump stations and storm-sewer system. It is incumbent upon the Borough to invest in a study to determine any deficiencies and plan for needed improvements in upcoming budget cycles.”
The study includes a field survey of the existing storm-water collection and conveyance system that will include the location and elevations of inlets and manholes; elevations of pipes at points of entry to drainage structures; the gathering of operational data on the storm-water pumps from Middlesex Water Company; and a hydrologic analysis on 25-, 50- and 100-year design flood scenarios. Flow rates generated from the existing topography and drainage area, and evaluation of the pipe and pump capacities are also generated from the study.
This drainage study will complement the Borough’s recent pilot program that will collect hard data from beach blocks during flooding events. This is the first public-private partnership with Atlantic Cape Coastal Coalition and the Stockton Coastal Research Center. Not only will it collect hard data, the program will help officials identify certain flood-prone areas to better alert citizens using some of the current systems already in place such as the CodeRED alert system and Reverse 911.
Visit avalonboro.net for more information.
The proposed design for updates to the Stone Harbor police building.
STONE HARBOR OK’S BIDDING FOR POLICE BUILDING
Stone Harbor Borough Council passed a motion to go out to bid for an addition to the Stone Harbor police building during its Aug. 15 meeting. Members of council and the public were presented with plans for the proposed building from OSK Design Partners during the work-session meeting. The project is scheduled to go out to bid Aug. 26. The estimated cost of the project is $3.9 million. Pending a successful bid process, construction could begin in December, with an estimated completion in early 2019.
“The Stone Harbor Police Department has been in need of renovation for many years,” Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour says. “Having worked in that building as recently as 2009, I am quite familiar with the challenges our police officers face while performing their day-to-day operations. After several renderings and nearly 10 years, I can say we have finally arrived at a building that will serve our police officers and our community well, not only now but into the future.”
The current space occupied by the police department was built in the 1970s. More than 10 years ago, former Chief William Toland and then-Captain Paul Reynolds recognized the need for a 21st century police building, citing three main areas of need: square footage/storage, building security and compliance with modern laws and mandates. The process began to design a building that fit the department’s needs while maintaining costs. After many meetings, designs and redesigns, the end result was to renovate the first floor of the existing police building and build a one-story addition in the current police department parking lot.
The design includes a main public entrance on the front of the building facing 95th Street with a few police parking spaces out front. The current square footage occupied is approximately 6,100 and with the addition the proposed total is estimated at 8,900. In the addition, there will be a space for administrative offices, interview rooms, a booking area, two holding cells and more. Some additional features include a police entrance on the side of the building, a rear sally-port with a drive-through aisle for the parking lot, and a rooftop HVAC system. The peak of the addition will be the same height as the current building and will be face brick to match the various buildings within the area such as Borough Hall.
“While this has been a long and arduous process spanning almost a decade, I, along with the entire Stone Harbor Police Department are proud of the proposed facility and eager to see the fruits of everyone’s labor fulfilled,” says Chief Thomas Schutta. “The design of the proposed building will enable our officers to continue to safely, effectively and efficiently serve the residents and visitors of Stone Harbor. I would like to thank retired Chief Paul Reynolds, the late public safety chairman, Albert Carusi, Barry Mastrangelo, and Borough Administrator Jill Gougher for keeping this project on the priority list since 2011. In addition, I would like to express the department’s sincere appreciation to Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour, the public safety committee, members of Borough Council, and members of the community for their continued support to provide the officers with a facility that is safe and functional, yet also representative of our community.”
Avalon Lions Club’s Chuck Covington, Mike Sowers, Joe Ostrowski and John Molnar present donation to Diller Home board member Doug Heun.
LIONS DONATE $30,000 TO DILLER VACATION HOME
The Avalon Lions Club presented a $30,000 donation to the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children on Aug. 17 during its annual end-of-summer meeting. Diller Home board member Doug Heun accepted the donation from Avalon Lions President Mike Sowers, Vice President Chuck Covington and members Joe Ostrowski and John Molnar.
“The donation continues a proud tradition that began 15 years ago with a commitment from the Avalon Lions to support the Diller Home and its blind and visually impaired campers,” Sowers said.
More than 75 people gathered for the celebration at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, including members of the Haddonfield and Bridgeton Lions Clubs. Guests enjoyed a pig roast catered by Spanky’s BBQ of Cape May including pork, hamburgers and hot dogs along with all the fixings.
The majority of the money that was presented to the Diller Home is from the proceeds of the Lions Club’s annual golf event in June. Since its inception nine years ago, the event has grown to include nearly 150 golfers and big-ticket auction items. The Haddonfield Lions Club also donated $2,000 and the Bridgeton Club donated $300 toward the goal of providing a significant donation to the Diller Home.
The Avalon Lions Club also has donated thousands of dollars in the past to help the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children provide all-expense-paid vacations for blind and visually impaired children, in addition to the many other Cape May County charities the club supports. Funds are raised through various events including pancake breakfasts, white cane days, and the club’s annual Pasta Night, which will be held Sunday, Oct. 15 at the Windrift Hotel Resort.
For more information about the Avalon Lions Club, go to avalonlions.com.
Avalon History Center’s Interpreter Bill Mengel stands with Director Nina Ranalli in front of the newly opened Avalon Anchorage Exhibit.
AVALON ANCHORAGE EXHIBIT OPENS
Members of the Penska family, several former employees of the Avalon Anchorage and more than 30 members of the community attended the Aug. 11 unveiling of the Avalon History Center’s exhibit featuring photographs from the Avalon Anchorage. Recently restored by the Seven Mile Times, more than 400 photographs from Stanley Penska’s collection dating back to the 1970s and ’80s are featured in the exhibit.
“We’re excited to display the hundreds of interesting old photos in the Avalon Anchorage exhibit,” History Center Director Nina Ranalli says. “Already, people have come into the History Center and found themselves or their family members on the wall. We love that we are able to help visitors remember Mr. Penska and their summers in the 1970s.”
Operated by Stanley and Lorraine Penska for nearly three decades beginning in 1958, Avalon Anchorage was a fisherman’s hub offering boat rentals, fuel, bait, tackle and more. There are no records of exactly what year the Anchorage began shooting the photos in the 1970s. The Penska family proudly showcased the black-and-white photographs of customers showing off their catch of the day. In addition to the photographs in the exhibit, visitors will also see one of the last bailing scoops made by Penska and an old Avalon Anchorage T-shirt.
“We decided to showcase it because our patrons love to see things from Avalon businesses that they can remember but aren’t there anymore,” Ranalli says. “They like to look at related photos and objects and share their stories with us.”
The Avalon Anchorage exhibit will be on display throughout the fall and winter at the Avalon History Center. In addition to this new display, the History Center will also continue to highlight its 125th Anniversary display and another new exhibit to honor Avalon’s heroes featuring artifacts, photos and memorabilia from the police department and EMS. The Avalon History Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Preschool staff: Brittney Torroni, Megan DiPasquale, Alice McCorristin, Susan Shaw.
DISTRICT ADDS PRESCHOOL CLASSES
Avalon Stone Harbor Schools will be expanding its district to include two preschool classes for the 2017-18 school year. Both programs will be taught from the Avalon Elementary School as the building is able to accommodate two additional classrooms. Seats are still available for the 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes.
“Many parents were requesting that we add a preschool,” said Stacey Tracy, the chief school administrator. “There was a great need. We are very excited about adding a preschool to our Avalon School. We had talked about it for many years and it is finally is going to happen. It is going to be a very high powered program. The latest technology, we will offer Spanish and access to our five-star Avalon Library.”
Brittany Torroni will teach students in the 4-year-old class with assistance from teacher’s aide Megan DiPasquale. The 3-year-old class will be taught by Susan Shaw with assistance from Alice McCorristin. Before the start of school, preschoolers will enjoy an ice cream social on Aug. 30. School opens Sept. 5.
At the start of the 2011-12 school year, Avalon and Stone Harbor Schools were consolidated with kindergarten through fourth grade attending the Stone Harbor Elementary School and grades 5-8 at the Avalon Elementary School. The district redesigned its website at the end of the 2016-17 school year to include information for both schools on avalonstoneharborschools.org. With the addition of preschool, the school is able to accommodate all ages for families in the community.
If you would like more information on the program or to sign up your student, please contact Jackie Bradley at Avalon School, 609-967-7544.
The McCrossin family presents donation to CVAC on behalf of American Legion Post 331. From left: Kevin Coyle, Bob Levins, John Morrison, Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour, Luke, Robyn and Jim McCrossin, Vicki Lachman, Johnnie Walker, Jackie Blaydes, Carol Cohen, Jim Fleischmann, Jackie Meiluta, and Tom McCullough.
FLYERS’ DONATION TO HELP VETERANS
The Philadelphia Flyers, on behalf of the American Legion Post 331, presented a $13,500 donation to the Citizens/Veterans Advisory Committee on Aug. 10. Stone Harbor Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour, Post Commander Jim Fleischmann, post members and members of the community joined event coordinators Robyn and Jim McCrossin in presenting the check to CVAC Chairman Johnnie Walker during a ceremony at Post 331.
Jim McCrossin, the Flyers’ director of sports medicine, and his wife helped bring the Flyers Trial on the Isle to their hometown of Stone Harbor more than 15 years ago. Through the event, held annually in July as part of the Flyers’ developmental camp, money is raised through activities such as the autograph signing, raffles and sponsored volleyball games. The McCrossins dedicated last year’s Trial on the Isle to the late Al Carusi, and will continue to honor the commitment and dedication of the men and women of the armed services.
“This check for $13,500 will help the veterans in the Cape May County area,” Fleischmann says. “We were very fortunate that we got to know the McCrossins a few years ago and they look to have a cause that supports the veterans each year. This year when they came to us CVAC fit the bill, and now this is the result of all of the work that we have done with the Flyers and we can’t ask for anything more.”
The CVAC is a volunteer-based organization that consists of professionals who dedicate their time to improving the quality of life for veterans in South Jersey. The organization was formed in 2013 as an advocacy group, to provide emergency funding to veterans who are struggling with basic needs.
“I can’t thank the McCrossins enough for what you are doing for us, because you are helping us with what we do best and that is helping veterans,” says Walker. “And believe me, there is a need here in Cape May County. We find people contacting us each and every week that we are helping.”
