Times Talk
The Avalon Borough’s sand back-passing project continues to relocate and restore sand to the north-end beaches.
AVALON SAND BACK-PASSING PROJECT
The Avalon Borough Council approved a contract with Mount Construction of Berlin, N.J., in the amount of $677,431 for a spring sand back-passing project. The project will restore Avalon’s north-end beaches with 64,000 cubic yards of sand between 9th and 16th streets, passed from a borrow area between 32nd and 38th streets. By contract, the entire project is set to be completed no later than mid-June, with a pause in work scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.
“This winter’s storm events, specifically the two January snowstorms, resulted in considerable erosion to Jersey Shore beaches, Avalon included,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “This project will move eroded sand that landed in the center of the community and relocate it back to the north end in advance of the hurricane and tourism season.”
Sand back-passing projects have proved effective in providing sand and space on recreational beaches between scheduled hydraulic beach-fill projects; Avalon is scheduled for one of those at the end of 2022. Avalon was the first community to implement these interim projects utilizing machines from the U.S. Army and the Borough’s Department of Public Works.
Mount Construction was contracted for this year’s back-passing as opposed to internal staffing due to the lack of rental equipment available during the ongoing supply-chain issues. Mount Construction has partnered with the Borough in the past for similar projects and will move forward with the process under the supervision of Avalon municipal engineers and Public Works.
The area from 38th to 9th streets will be an active construction zone during the project, with heavy equipment operating and traversing along the Avalon beach between both points during workdays. The Borough of Avalon is asking individuals not to place beach chairs or blankets in the area where truck tires appear on the beach, as this is where trucks will travel throughout the day. The beaches will remain open during this ongoing project. For more information go to avalonboro.net.
Renovations are completed for the Stone Harbor Museum, featuring updated displays and exhibits throughout the summer season.
STONE HARBOR MUSEUM GETS UPDATED
The Stone Harbor Museum is completing work on winter renovations that includes technological enhancements geared to improve the visitor experience and exhibit displays. And with the final installments being completed in early May, the museum has scheduled a Memorial Day weekend grand reopening for Saturday, May 28 at 10am, open to the public.
“The improvements have really enhanced the displays and how we are able to exhibit our wonderful artifacts and Stone Harbor memories that we are lucky to have,” said board secretary and co-exhibit coordinator Teri Fischer.
As the museum reopens, displays have been updated with new material and artifacts, and plans are underway for a busy and exciting summer of programming. The popular children’s scavenger hunt returns, as well as a new version that features decoding for older children and adults. Exhibits and activities now have the use of QR codes, so hunts can be enjoyed using mobile devices as well.
Additional summer programming includes the return of the Open Mic Nights, where visitors are invited to share their stories of times in Stone Harbor. A new program, Children’s Time on Fridays at 9am, will include stories, crafting, a snack, and learning more about the fun and fascinating exhibits through the museum. And save the date for the museum’s annual Tour Through Time Gala set for Aug. 24 at The Reeds at Shelter Haven, this year honoring Josee and Bob Rich with the 2022 Risley Award.
Following the reopening event, the museum will be open Monday through Saturday from 10am-1pm, fully staffed by trained volunteers and docents ready to greet visitors for a tour and fun historical facts. For information on programs and exhibits, go to stoneharbormuseum.org.
The solar-powered water gauge, installed by the USGS, continues to monitor tidal elevation.
WATER GAUGE RELOCATED ATOP INGRAM’S THOROFARE BRIDGE
If the new addition to the top of the Avalon Boulevard bridge has caught your attention while crossing, here’s an explanation as to what you’re seeing:
The USGS New Jersey Water Science Center has been collecting high-quality hydrological data for the United States Geological Survey since 1903. This fall, USGS relocated Station 0141135 to the top of the bridge. The solar-powered station collects real-time tidal elevation and weather data including precipitation. It is critical in providing data and warnings regarding flooding that affects life on the Seven Mile Beach.
Formerly located on the remnants of the Avalon Swing Bridge on Old Avalon Boulevard, the gauge was moved to the top of the Ingram’s Thorofare Bridge on Avalon Boulevard at least partially to ensure that it will not get inundated during an extreme weather or tide event as it might have at its previous location.
The information gathered here is shared with the National Water Information System (NWIS). “The information is accessible through NWIS, where you can get all types of information,” said Jason Shvanda, supervisory hydrologist with the USGS. “They have a plethora of weather information and data.”
The data gathered is not used for forecasting. It is classified as temporary data, which is only available online for 120 days. The data is ancillary, yet still important to the tidal elevation data. It is used to help analyze the tide data and may help explain why data looks as it does. The classification as temporary designates only that the station is calibrated at least once a year, but other routine inspections and measures are not performed that would make the data acceptable for archival purposes for use in general scientific or interpretive studies.
AVALON OKS DEAL WITH TRASH HAULER
In advance of the summer season, Avalon Borough Council recently approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its private trash and recycling hauler, Gold Medal Environmental. The MOU included negotiable changes to the existing contract that were made in light of the impacts of inflation, fuel pricing, and labor issues.
Trash and recycling schedules for the Borough will be maintained, with twice weekly collection during the summer season, and once per week in the offseason. However, the MOU eliminates the requirement of Gold Medal to provide side yard return of disposal containers. Beginning May 1, containers will be placed curbside once emptied as opposed to property side yards.
Avalon will move forward with a new contract for bid during the fourth quarter of 2022, that will establish a new rate schedule to be budgeted for in the 2023 municipal plan, including optional pricing for side yard returns. While Gold Medal is working with a number of communities in Cape May County for similar adjustments, Avalon is the first contract to reach an agreement.
“Avalon was able to successfully negotiate this MOU with Gold Medal, and with the elimination of side yard return, the current collection schedule was preserved,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “It puts the Borough in a strong position to plan for a new contract moving into 2023 with allowance to budget for the current inflation and fuel costs affecting many county communities.”
Avalon maintains a courtesy trash and recycling depot at the Public Works Yard at 15th Street and Dune Drive, open daily from 7am to 3pm. For more information on regulations and schedules, go to avalonboro.net.
The hard-surface courts located at the 80th Street recreation complex are scheduled to be resurfaced by Memorial Day weekend.
STONE HARBOR RECREATION UPDATE
Justin Ricciardi was named the interim director of the Stone Harbor Recreation Department following the March resignation of Tina Prickett. Meanwhile, interviews for the permanent position are ongoing, with the hope of having the new director in place before the start of the official summer season.
Ricciardi, a previous department employee, is working to finalize the class schedule and summer camp confirmations and launching the registrations for the summer season. New programs for the summer include Wednesday pickleball, morning beach yoga classes, barre classes, and a new art camp hosted by Maverick Art Studio. Returning classes and clinics include morning boot camp, peewee sports clinics, arts and crafts, pickleball, and more.
“We are excited to have Justin return for another summer,” said Tourism Director Jenny Olson. “His knowledge of our recreation programming and operations will ensure a smooth transition once a permanent director is hired.”
Maintenance updates prior to Memorial Day weekend include the annual resurfacing of the hard-surface courts at 80th Street as well as a priming and painting project to update the 97th Street playground.
Go to stoneharborrecreation.com for more information on recreation programs, camps, and clinics.
Stone Harbor Boulevard changed from 50 to 35mph.
NEW SPEED LIMIT ON STONE HARBOR BOULEVARD
The speed limit on Stone Harbor Boulevard was reduced from 50 to 35 miles per hour this spring when the Middle Township Committee and Cape May County passed resolutions resulting from a roadway safety study conducted by the county’s engineering department. The study also recommended a resurfacing and paving project for the boulevard that was undertaken through the spring.
The safety study and concurrent changes began to gain momentum starting in 2019 with an emergency repair project to the 96th Street bridge. It was determined that the multiple bridge repairs were needed in part due to excessive bridge vibrations caused by vehicles driving above the posted speed. Despite efforts starting in the spring of 2019 to reduce speed using additional signage, crosswalks, and radar feedback signs, speeding still persisted.
Speed tables were initially introduced in 2020 under an emergency repair contract to the bridge as a necessary means of reducing approach speed to the bridge. The traffic safety study covered the full corridor and provided additional traffic calming recommendations, most notable being the reduction to 35 miles per hour from Bayberry Drive west to the bridge.
Additional changes include the closing of multiple passing zones, a raised crosswalk for The Wetlands Institute, rumble strips, and enhanced markers and signage to alert drivers to the changes.
“There were a number of recommendations that were implemented through the safety study, that will further sustain the limited service life of the 96th Street bridge bascule span, with additional benefits to pedestrian safety from The Wetlands Institute to the base of the bridge,” said County Engineer Robert Church.
The newly instated speed limit is being strictly enforced by the Middle Township Police Department. And the change has brought mixed reactions. Those living along the boulevard are relieved after concerns grew of the potential dangers of cars speeding along what has become a more residential and less rural roadway. Avalon Boulevard and Sea Isle Boulevard, which do not have any residential properties located along their limits, still have a 50 mph speed limit.
Citing beautiful beaches, family-friendly activities, dining, and shopping, the Seven Mile Beach was named by Travel + Leisure in “8 Best Places to Buy a Beach Vacation Home in the U.S.”
SEVEN MILE AMONG TOP 8 VACATION DESTINATIONS
Seven Mile Beach was featured as one of the top eight destinations to purchase a beach vacation home in the United States in Travel + Leisure magazine. The story about the most popular destinations cited the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the reasons that beachfront living has become such a hot trend in the past two years.
Our island’s family-friendly amenities, dining, and shopping opportunities top the list of attributes that give Avalon and Stone Harbor their charm, and make Seven Mile Beach a “vacation destination among affluent travelers.”
“I’ve known so many people who grew up coming to the beach here and now have a life goal of coming back and buying a home here,” said Jennifer Gensemer, a real estate agent for Long & Foster, who was interviewed for the feature. “No matter where they’ve gone in the world, their dream is to come back and own a home in Avalon or Stone Harbor.”
A recent publication from the NJ Realtors Association noted that the most recent median sale prices for Avalon and Stone Harbor increased $437,000 compared to 2021, yet only 14% of homes are used by year-round residents. So perhaps Seven Mile Beach is a well-kept secret, but for now we’ll take the recognition and heartily agree: Avalon and Stone Harbor are the best!
A circular fence protects a seedling from the legendary Salem Oak that was planted in Armacost Park.
HISTORY TAKES ROOT IN AVALON
It’s unassuming behind the 2-foot circular fence on 74th Street in Armacost Park. Despite its low-key appearance, there’s a lot of history in that small seedling planted by Avalon’s Environmental Commission in April.
The seedling is a progeny of the legendary Salem Oak, a white oak tree that stood for more than 565 years in Salem, N.J. According to local legend, the tree was the last survivor of the forest that covered Salem County before the founding of the town of Salem, which is about 10 miles south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. It is said that Salem founder John Fenwick sat under the shade of the tree and negotiated a peace treaty with the Lenni-Lenape indigenous tribe in 1675.
In 1926, a seedling much like one planted in Armacost Park was planted along George Washington Memorial Parkway in Washington as part of the nation’s sesquicentennial celebration. And a year later, Charles Lindbergh flew the Spirit of St. Louis over the Salem Oak on his way from Atlantic City to Wilmington, Del., as part of his triumphant tour of the United States following his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Just a month before the majestic oak succumbed to age and weather in June 2019, acorns were gathered from the tree that stood 103 feet. The acorns were nurtured in a U.S. Forest Service greenhouse into 24-inch oak seedlings.
One of the acorn seedlings made its way to Avalon’s Environmental Commission in order to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the first celebration of Earth Day in 1972 along with the 50th anniversary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
So now the mighty branches from this historic tree extend all the way to the Seven Mile Beach.
A damaged house from the Mother’s Day weekend storm.
HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT, MAMA
Mother Nature wasn’t kind to all of the moms on the Seven Mile Beach this past Mother’s Day weekend. A nor’easter brought three days of cooler than normal temperatures, blowing rain, moderate coastal flooding and high winds during the weekend traditionally reserved to honor our mothers. Cape May County saw wind gusts as high as 60 mph and rainfall of nearly two inches over the weekend.
Aside from causing issues with power lines, the storm was responsible for the cancellation of many of the activities planned for the weekend, including Avalon’s annual spring community-wide yard sale. The storm also toppled a fully framed house on Stone Harbor Boulevard and broke a telephone pole in half on Dune Drive.
A flock of several hundred white ibis found its way to Avalon’s high dunes.
WHITE IBIS RETURN TO SEVEN MILE
The Seven Mile Beach is always a popular getaway for Easter week. This year, for the second year in a row, the island had some unusual foreign visitors: Flocks of American white ibis totaling an estimated several hundred birds found their way to the hardwood swamp in Avalon’s high dunes in the days before and after Easter. The flocks usually made their way to estuaries in the back bays at low tide before returning to the swamp at high tide and drawing the attention of passing motorists and bird enthusiasts.
The largest number of white ibis are found in Florida, but they can be found in coastal wetlands from Virginia through most of the southern tropics including Mexico and in Central America as far south as Colombia and Venezuela.
It is believed that climate change is what is pushing them farther north. A recent study showed that the average ibis spends 10 hours a day foraging for food, about 45 minutes flying, and 13 hours at rest. They primarily feed on crustaceans, aquatic insects, and small fish. The bird is often associated with danger and optimism because they are often the last to seek shelter before a hurricane and among the first to emerge afterward.
Danny Lopriore with his book “Missing Miriam”.
LOCAL WRITER’S BOOK ‘A GEM’
Danny Lopriore has been a writer for most of his life. He has written or edited for newspapers in the New York and Philadelphia markets for more than 30 years. We’ve been lucky enough recently to feature some of his work here in Seven Mile Times. Lopriore has a good feel for Seven Mile Beach because he and his wife Diane raised their family in Avalon for about a decade.
His latest book, “Missing Miriam,” has gotten rave reviews. One Amazon customer wrote: “Missing Miriam is a gem!” It is a semi-biographical novella about late-life regrets and spiritual renewal. The story follows Manny Vazquez, a divorced New York City cabdriver in his 60s who lost his journalism career to changing times and his marriage to the inability to truly appreciate and support his wife, Miriam. Through a series of interactions with people, Manny learns that he possesses the ability to touch lives and, in the process, renews his own.
“Missing Miriam” is available on Amazon. Better yet, we’d always prefer shop local, so why not visit Beach Bound Books at 2123 Dune Drive and pick up a copy? And if you see Lopriore around town, he’ll probably even sign it for you.
If the 10-year dredging permit is approved, the Borough of Avalon would no longer have to apply for emergency dredging; individual slip owners would already be permitted before they decide to dredge their slip.
AVALON PURSUES DREDGING APPLICATION
Avalon could soon be cutting out the red tape involved in dredging projects. In April, the Borough participated in a pre-application meeting with several agencies in anticipation of submitting a 10-year dredging permit application. During the meeting with Genevieve Sarlo of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Borough presented a map that demonstrates the current condition of navigational channels detailing the benefits of a town-wide permit.
What does this mean? If approved, the Borough would no longer have to apply for emergency permits as conditions arise, as well as eliminate the costs and time for property owners who need to dredge individual boat slips. All of these projects would be covered under the Borough’s proposed general permit, and property owners would now need to submit an application to the Borough to dredge, as opposed to applying to federal and/or state agencies.
In addition to resident and town-wide savings in time and funding, the permit application also would further support the redistribution of dredge materials in identified locations for coastal resiliency and environmental enhancement purposes. These dredge materials have been studied through the Seven Mile Innovation Lab project, coordinated by The Wetlands Institute and the Army Corps of Engineers. Dr. Lenore Tedesco, the executive director of the institute, has previously presented to Borough Council on the many benefits and potential placement areas for dredged materials that would allow environmental enhancements and resiliency.
“This innovative and new approach to current regulations and requirements permits dredging for future save navigation, beneficial re-use, and natural resiliency,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “The Borough intends to be a model opportunity for other communities to replicate with this new plan, as many coastal communities face similar challenges.”
As part of its study, DeBlasio & Associates presented three maps of Stone Harbor, detailing elevations below 4, 5, and 6 feet, further demonstrating the need for future flood mitigation planning.
Stone Harbor Adopts Flood Mitigation Plan & Storm Sewer Master Plan
Over the winter, an in-depth plan for flood mitigation was presented to Stone Harbor Borough Council and the planning board by municipal engineer Marc DeBlasio and Cody Stanford of DeBlasio & Associates. The plan was adopted at the May Council meeting, and includes steps to both educate the Borough and the public on the existing challenges of flooding and coastal hazards, as well as providing steps and recommendations for capital improvements and projects to further mitigate these hazards.
The plan was broken into three levels over a 25-year span. The first level of projects was identified as the highest in both priority and the estimated certainty of success: bulkhead replacements; the construction of storm sewer pump stations; beach and dune maintenance; marina improvements; property and roadway elevations; and enhanced flood notification systems.
In the second level were potential projects, which also had cost restrictions or further analysis required. Those are planned for years 10-20. And the third-level projects were identified but required funding for additional research in the 20-25-year timespan. In identifying the three priority levels, it was noted that the first of two Borough storm sewer pump stations is under final design and plans are set for construction in early fall of 2022.
Detailed analysis was conducted in order to identify the projects, including a flood hazard assessment that was presented with information on the island’s existing layout and topography; a timeline of coastal tidal data and increasing sea levels; bulkhead elevations, and the Borough’s FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) status.
“Flooding is one of the biggest challenges that coastal communities face and comprehensive planning is a necessity,” said Stone Harbor Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour. “This plan serves as a foundation and guide which will contribute to our community’s resiliency and long-term sustainability.”
The full presentation can be found on the Borough’s website, by accessing the April 11, 2022 Council meeting recording, and a pdf of the plan presented by DeBlasio & Associates can also be found on the Borough’s website at shnj.org.
