Times Talk
Avalon’s 23rd Street pier is slated for replacement this fall.
AVALON REPLACING 23rd STREET dock
The Avalon Borough Council has approved a proposal for the replacement of the 23rd Street Dock, made necessary by rising flood elevations.
“The bulkhead will be replaced to meet current flood elevations,” said Bill McCormick, the director of the Department of Public Works. “To do this, the dock will have to be raised and replaced as well.”
Engineering firm Mott McDonald has drawn up structural, site, and landscaping designs for the project. The new dock will resemble the existing one, with the inclusion of ADA-compliant ramps raised to the height of the new bulkhead. Construction will be completed by the Department of Public Works, as a cost savings for the Borough, with the bulkhead and pilings going out for bid.
After the input of nearby property owners, plans for the project also include a larger lower deck to better accommodate kayaks, new benches, and a new dock ladder with wider treads.
Construction is projected to begin in the fall.
The Wetlands Institute’s mainland campus in Middle Township will be used for office space and secure storage.
WETLANDS INSTITUTE ADDING MAINLAND CAMPUS
The Wetlands Institute has purchased a 1.2-acre property along Route 9 in Middle Township, to be known as The Mainland Campus. The property includes a four-bedroom house, parking, storage, and a fully fenced yard. It will primarily be used for office space and housing for seasonal employees and summer interns.
“It’s an exciting time for the Institute,” said Executive Director Dr. Lenore Tedesco. “We’ve added new people and new expertise to our full-time staff, and once we complete the permitting process and some needed renovations, this new property will help us meet our future needs for intern space and secure storage.”
Expansion of office space at the existing Wetlands campus has taken over the previously existing dorm space, and the new building will allow for an expansion of internship opportunities for those who don’t live in the immediate vicinity of Seven Mile Beach.
The expanded property is also, in some ways, a preventive step, given the increasing concerns about rising sea levels across the Jersey Shore: The Wetlands staff plans to move some computing facilities and records to the new site at the mainland.
But fear not, the main Wetlands campus isn’t going anywhere. The existing building has stood along Stone Harbor Boulevard for 50 years and the Institute will continue to educate visitors and beachgoers about our marsh and its creatures.
AVALON EVENTS COMING IN THE SHOULDER SEASON
The summer season gets all the attention, but there are some on the island who prefer the endless summer – for good reason. The shoulder season into September and October boasts quiet streets, beautiful beach weather, great dining and shopping without long lines. And on top of that, some really fun events.
The annual End-of-Summer Shop Hop returns Sept. 9 to 11, with more than 30 stores participating throughout Avalon featuring end-of-season discounts, sales, and promotions. Shop and enjoy summer merchandise, fall and winter previews, home décor, and accessories. And then take a lunch break with a refreshing cocktail, taking advantage of Shop Hop specials provided by Bobby Dee’s Rock’n Chair Restaurant.
Back after a two-year COVID hiatus, the Avalon Wine & Spirits Festival returns to kick off Columbus Day weekend on Friday, Oct. 7. Guests can purchase tickets in advance by going to visitavalonnj.com.
Enjoy a tasting of more than 100 high-end wines, spirits, and beers, plus passed hors d’oeuvres featuring local cuisine. There also will be live music by Five Times Famous, and an extensive silent auction.
And moving into the weekend, Avalon’s Arts & Seafood Festival returns on Saturday, Oct. 8, boasting a new name thanks to a renewed focus on local art and artisan vendors. Of course, it also still feature lots of fresh, local seafood. Attendees will enjoy shopping, plus live music from Hickstown Road, children’s activities, and the return of the popular Sound Advice lounge serving beer and wine, and livestreaming the college football games.
“These shoulder season events are a great way to keep the summer fun going, and encourage an extended visitation to Avalon,” said Avalon Chamber of Commerce President John O’Dea. “We’re excited to invite residents and vacationers to shop, dine, and enjoy Avalon throughout the fall.”
And be sure to save the date for the return of the popular Thanksgiving weekend events including the Festival of Trees, the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Turkey Trot, Festive Friday, Santa Lights Dune Drive parade, and Snowfest Saturday.
Farewell to summer, and welcome to an endless summer!
AVALON PUBLIC WORKS COLLECTION SCHEDULE UPDATE
The Avalon Department of Public Works has shifted the weekly collection day for metal, plastics, and electronics to Tuesday, instead of Friday.
Fridays bring heavy traffic to the island in the summer, so the move is reflective of both public-safety measures and the ease of the larger collection trucks moving throughout the community.
“Fridays were a much busier day of the week for Public Works because of weekend preparation,” Public Works director Bill McCormick explained.
The new collection day will remain in effect year-round. Residents who wish to schedule a pickup must call Public Works at 609-967-7697; metal, plastics, and electronics collection is not automatic at all households.
The regular trash and recycling collection schedule will remain the same, moving to one day per week for the remainder of the calendar year on Sept. 12.
Bulk trash pickup is scheduled for Sept. 13, and residents can place their bulk items to the curb in preparation for the pickup beginning Sept. 3.
Outgoing school physician Dr. Robert Speer is flanked by Stone Harbor Schools nurse Deb Bossuyt (left) and Stone Harbor School Board President Suzanne Walters.
LONGTIME STONE HARBOR SCHOOL DOCTOR STEPS DOWN
After 47 years of appointed service, Dr. Robert Speer is officially stepping down as the school physician for Stone Harbor Elementary School. For nearly five decades, Speer was an integral part of the school’s health-care system, specifically in the past two years addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing regulations.
Stone Harbor School Board President Suzanne Walters honored Speer with a plaque at a school board meeting in August.
“So much has changed over the years, but Dr. Speer has remained a consistent role of support for this school, working directly with our school nurses and staff every year to assure our students stay safe and healthy,” said Walters. “We are so grateful for his time and true dedication to this school, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was on top of things throughout, worked closely with our staff to make sure everyone had the most updated guidelines, and focused on the students’ health.”
While Speer has retired as the school physician, he continues his medical practice in Stone Harbor as a rheumatology specialist. In the meantime, Dr. Tara Vogdes, who also runs a practice in Stone Harbor, was appointed to fill his longstanding position. While the position requirements have changed in the past 47 years, the mission remains consistent: to assist and supervise the nursing staff in ensuring the health and safety of students and faculty.
“The nurses at this school are top-notch, and excellent at what they do,” Speer said. “They do a really good job at addressing any issues or questions.”
The Stone Harbor Property Owners Association announced the launch of two webcams at the 95th Street beach, and a weather station.
SHPOA PROVIDING WEBCAMS, WEATHER STATION
The Stone Harbor Property Owners Association recently launched two webcams overlooking the 95th Street beach. The cameras, located at the Beach Patrol Headquarters, point north and south, giving a panoramic view of the beach. A weather station will also be installed shortly, offering access to current and future weather conditions including wind, temperature, and rain data.
The launch of the web cameras was one of SHPOA’s projects of the year, as well as the installation of bicycle safety signage on Second Avenue, and a donation for the install of artificial grass surrounding Borough Hall.
Funds for the cameras and weather station, as well as the streaming and hosting, were covered by SHPOA, with the Borough of Stone Harbor covering the fees for running cable and technical installations. The cameras were installed by Christopher Gay from the Stone Harbor Fire Department, who also installed the camera on the firehouse, overlooking 96th Street.
“SHPOA thanks the Borough of Stone Harbor and the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol for helping to provide assistance in the installation of the much-needed public webcams, overlooking our beautiful beaches in Stone Harbor,” said Scott Jarden, SHPOA Trustee .
The cameras and weather stations will be streaming year-round and can be found on SHPOA’s website at stoneharborpoa.org.
