Times Talk
HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS GOING ON SALE
’Tis the season to start planning for summer 2021. While Thanksgiving weekend attracts visitors with activities, shopping, live music, giveaways and family events, attendees are also encouraged to pick up 2021 holiday beach tags for themselves and those on their gift list.
Avalon’s holiday tag for 2021 features a festive seagull and holiday gift. The tags will be on sale Nov. 27 and 28 from 11am-4pm while supplies last at the Avalon Rescue Squad Building. Tags are available for the preseason discount of $25 and can be purchased via check or cash; credit cards are not accepted.
Stone Harbor’s holiday tag for 2021 features a diamondback terrapin and starfish in the island marsh. Those tags will be on sale at the Stone Harbor Holiday Market during Thanksgiving weekend from 11am to 5pm, while supplies last. Tags are also on sale for the preseason discount of $25 and can be purchased via check or cash.
The beach tags are valid for the 2021 summer season and are reciprocal for both towns. If holiday tags remain after Thanksgiving weekend, they will be available in the tax office for both towns. For information on seasonal tag requirements, beach access and guarded streets, go to avalonboro.net or shnj.org.
STONE HARBOR MANAGED TO CURTAIL WATER USAGE
In late spring and early summer, it appeared that the Borough of Stone Harbor’s water conservation efforts for 2020 might be adversely impacted by the coronavirus. Due to the pandemic, there was an influx of early visitors to the island that led to a significant increase in water usage compared to the same months in 2019. Usage was up 38% in May and 43% in June. The increase triggered concern among Borough officials, as the spike was expected to track throughout the summer and surpass the annual allowance for the Borough.
Due to strict adherence to water conservation ordinances, and an increase in conservation education to residents and visitors, the spike did not increase as expected through the end of the summer. The result was a decrease of 1% in water consumption for the third quarter and a projected 13% increase for the year.
Reese Moore, the chairman of the Borough Council’s Utilities Committee, worked alongside fellow council members, the Department of Public Works and the Utility Department to increase conservation efforts, leading to the plateau percentages. Strict monitoring practices were used throughout the summer to ensure compliance with watering restrictions, including a mandatory irrigation schedule for property owners. Noncompliance to the schedule resulted in a warning for first-time offenders and fines for repeat offenders.
Water consumption shows the steep increase in early summer with a decrease due to conservation through the end of the summer.
Additional conservation efforts included the encouragement of sustainability landscaping – using indigenous plants for decorative gardens and lawns that don’t require as much water usage. The Stone Harbor Property Owners Association published and distributed an educational brochure on sustainable landscaping with helpful tips and tricks on garden design. Information can be found at stoneharborpoa.org.
Ongoing pilot programs also continue to further conservation efforts such as the test installation of synthetic turf, permeable asphalt and permeable concrete. And finally, Borough Council is in the process of revising a grading and stormwater runoff ordinance which will lead to improved conservation.
“As a governing body, Stone Harbor recognizes the importance of water conservation and continues to do everything we can to ensure that the Borough has clean water,” Moore said. “It is important that we conserve the usage of water so that we can continue to provide clean water in the future.”
Exceeding the state’s allocation level could result in hefty fines for the Borough of Stone Harbor. It is important for property owners to continue to educate themselves on conservation efforts. Educational information can be found at jerseyyards.org, njwatersavers.rutgers.edu, npsnj.org, and water.rutgers.edu.
AHLOA: NAMES ELECTEES, PROVIDES DIGITAL ‘STATE OF THE BOROUGH’
The Avalon Home and Land Owners Association officers announced new leadership in August following the group’s annual election. While the incumbent president retained his position for another one-year term, two new vice presidents were elected and two new board members were added. Here’s the rundown on each of them:
AHLOA president Chuck O’Hara and his wife, Cheryl, have been property owners in Avalon for 34 years, and have lived here year-round since 2012. O’Hara had a 37-year career with Procter & Gamble at the company’s paper facility with roles in operations, project management, environmental and energy affairs, and public affairs. Since retiring and becoming a full-time resident, he has become an active member of AHLOA, and has become further involved in community service. He currently participates in Cape May County’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and is a member of the NJ Cycling Club.
Lynn Cruser was elected 1st vice president for the 2020-21 term. She has been a trustee of AHLOA since 2017 and will now serve as 1st VP and chair of the Public Relations Committee.
Trustee Trey White was elected as 2nd vice president. White is the vice president of corporate development of SAP America. He has been on the board of trustees since 2018.
New trustee Jack Smith is the executive director for audience solutions at Politico. Smith and his wife, Amy, currently reside in Arlington, Va., with their four children and enjoy spending summers in Avalon.
Joe Butler also joined the board as a trustee. Butler, a realtor by trade, originally worked as a commercial fisherman. However, after encountering a number of dangerous situations, he switched to the safer career of real estate, and he has worked in Avalon for more than 17 years at A. Lewis Purdy Real Estate. Butler and his wife, Kim, reside in Avalon with their two children. He is active in the community as a coach in youth soccer and basketball, a member of the Avalon Recreation Department Advisory Board, and a member of the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department.
Other officers for the 2020-21 term are Ramona Sanabria, vice president for programs; John Bell, treasurer; and Tony Newshel, secretary.
Smith is among the trustees named to one-year terms, along with Marty Kindsvatter, Anne Oberg, Christine Oxenberg and Ben Simone. Butler is serving a two-year term, along with Monica Coskey, John Cuthbert, Wayne Popowski and Toni Simone. Those serving three-year terms that end in 2023 are Joe Dvorak, Jack Keenan, Mike Matt, Brian Reynolds and Jim Thatcher.
To join the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association and for more information, go to ahloa.com.
Stone Harbor Councilman Reese Moore, Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour and Councilwoman Robin Casper.
STONE HARBOR MAYOR RE-ELECTED
The general election for the Borough of Stone Harbor made it official that Judith Davies-Dunhour won a second four-year term as mayor, and that Reese Moore and Robin Casper won three-year terms on the Borough Council. The candidates ran uncontested.
Moore now has a full term, after previously assuming Karen Lane’s vacated seat in 2018. He serves as the chair for the Utilities Committee and continues to dedicate time to improving the island’s infrastructure for water and sewer services.
Casper is a newcomer to the council. Her passion for sustainability and natural resources gained her a position with the Borough’s Go Green Committee, and she looks forward to serving the residents and vacationers of the Borough of Stone Harbor during her term.
Stone Harbor Borough Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, with a work session beginning at 4:30pm followed by the council meeting. For agendas, minutes and recordings, go to stoneharbornj.org.
BOROUGHS GET READY FOR 5G
Cellular data isn’t just for cellphones these days, with a number of modern devices relying on the technology. These include security systems, garage doors, televisions, and of course our new best friend, Alexa. As the island’s seasonal population continues to grow along with the development of more and more technology, the Seven Mile Beach finds that its current 4G service, the fourth generation of broadband cellular network technology, is running out of space.
As a solution, the boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor are joining efforts under Avalon Councilman Sam Wierman’s direction to prepare for 5G implementation. Although just one step higher in generation, the 5G technology is much different than its predecessor specifically in transmitting data to customers. While 4G can be transmitted via antennas affixed to the top of two island municipal towers, 5G requires small nodes and antennas throughout the community to provide adequate service.
Plans are underway to place these nodes on utility poles that do not carry primary power as well as “stealth” poles that can perform similar to street lights. Major benefits for residents and the boroughs include a greater opportunity to retain cellphone service, increased streaming delivered to homes, the ability to accommodate the expansion of demands for cellular-dependent wireless devices, and enhanced emergency management capabilities.
The first wave of 5G technology is scheduled to be installed by Memorial Day weekend of 2021.
“The main thing people will notice is the increased speed of 5G vs. 4G, which can be compared to the switch to HDTV from standard definition,” Wierman said. “5G speed will be the new norm; faster downloads, web-browsing and streaming will give users a better mobile experience.”
Any implementation will occur after ordinances are adopted from both municipalities, planned before the end of 2020.
For more information, go to avalonboro.net.
Native vegetation in Avalon dunes.
DUNE RESTORATION PLAN IS WORKING
In 2009, the Borough of Avalon embarked on a Dune Vegetation Management Plan through an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The pilot project led to the restoration of nearly half the borough’s dune system in the past 10 years. Recently, the project continued with plans to thin out invasive Japanese black pine trees, which helped the recovery of native vegetation along the beach paths between 44th and 50th streets.
The Japanese black pine was introduced to the dunes many years ago with unintended consequences, and recently have led to the infestation of bark beetles that carry blue stain fungus, causing the trees to rapidly decline and die.
The Dune Vegetation Management Plan is an integral part of the Borough’s Community Forestry Management Plan. Since its implementation, the plan has succeeded in the recovery of a variety of native vegetation, and has become a model for implementation in other communities.
“Avalon has a longstanding commitment to ecological diversity and protection of our dune system that provides numerous benefits to the borough,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “The recent implementation of this grant had proven results, and we will continue to make best decisions based on science and reliable guidance.”
The Dune Vegetation Management Plan continues for any beachfront property owner who wishes to participate, and the borough will continually seek financial and science partnerships to improve the ecological diversity in the dunes and elsewhere. For more information on the environmental assets in the Avalon dune system, visit avalonduneandbeachtrail.com.
Avalon Police Captain John Roscoe and Chief Jeffrey Christopher
AVALON POLICE BRASS ATTENDING LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Avalon Police Chief Jeffrey Christopher and Capt. John Roscoe have completed the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Command and Leadership Academy. The program fosters and improves leadership skills among police supervisors within the state.
Christopher graduated in May 2019 and was the first ever member of the Avalon Police Department to complete the training. Roscoe graduated in May 2020 as class valedictorian and recipient of the Chief Harry Wilde Award for the Highest Academic Score. Moving forward, Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes is currently attending the academy with an expected graduation date in December.
“It is extremely important to invest in training for all supervisors of police departments to learn the tools and strategies they need to become a more prepared, thoughtful leader,” Christopher said.
The academy holds strict requirements for participants including active class participation, weekly home studying, testing throughout and a final exam. The Avalon Police Department has achieved three consecutive accreditations from the NJSACOP, and received a score of 100 percent in its most recent accreditation.
“We have among the best police departments in the entire state of New Jersey, and this successful training is evidence of that,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “We have extremely strong leadership in the department, and dedicated men and women who keep the safety and protection of our citizens as their number one objective, every day.”
American Legion Post 331 presents donation to help needy vets. Post members on hand are John Morrison, Byram Salmons, Dan Brown, Spence Jones, Tom McCullough, Jim Fleischmann and Jim Betz. The CVAC is represented by Johnnie Walker and Kate Walker.
POST 331 DONATES $5,000 TO ASSIST HOMELESS VETS
Members of the American Legion Post 331 in Stone Harbor recently donated $5,000 to the Citizens/Veterans Advisory Council. The donation, consisting of funds collected from post members and community contributions, was made to further CVAC’s efforts in assisting homeless veterans in Cape May County.
“American Legion Post 331 is dedicated to support and our main mission is to help Cape May County veterans in need,” said Post Commander Tom McCullough. “During the challenging period in the lives of everyone, we have and will continue to support CVAC and the assistance they give to less fortunate fellow veterans in need. We are honored and humbled to be able to help veterans in need through organizations such as CVAC.”
CVAC was created to help veterans and their families and is composed of veteran and citizen volunteers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of veterans and their families within Cape May County.
The American Legion Post 331 is located at the old Tatham Life Saving Station, the oldest building in Stone Harbor. The post was chartered in 1946. Current and former military personnel volunteer to support those who have served and are currently serving the country. A number of fundraising activities and community projects are organized by post members throughout the year.
For more information on the post, go to stephencludlampost331.org.
