Times Talk
AVALON ELECTS NEW MAYOR
July will mark the first time since the summer of 1991 that the mayor of Avalon will be anyone not named Marty Pagliughi. Pagliughi announced his plans to not seek reelection in March after 32 years as Avalon’s mayor. John McCorristin, 69, was elected Avalon’s new mayor on May 7. McCorristin is a lifelong resident and a former member of the Avalon Board of Education and president of Avalon Borough Council. He’s been a builder on the island for more than 50 years. Reelected with McCorristin on the Team Avalon slate were council members Sam Wierman and Barbara Juzaitis. The trio will return a wealth of experience to Avalon government when they reorganize in July. Look for our in-depth conversation with Mayor-elect McCorristin in our July issue.
Recycling containers piled high outside of Seashore Ace in Stone Harbor.
LET’S TALK TRASH
Trash seems to be the topic of lots of conversations in both Avalon and Stone Harbor as both boroughs have implemented new trash collection procedures.
First, in Stone Harbor: Effective May 1, all residents are required to utilize ANSI Z245 Type B containers. These are plastic receptacles with suitable handles, wheels, metal bars and tight-fitting covers. Stone Harbor has modified its trash trucks with lifters in order to provide an improved level of service. You can arrange to have your old cans removed by attaching a note to each can. The new containers are readily available but to make it even more convenient, Seashore Ace has arranged for weekly deliveries in order to keep the containers readily available in town.
Meanwhile in Avalon, beginning May 1 the borough started an aggressive program to deliver 95-gallon trash and recycling containers at no cost to every residence. The new containers can typically hold up to 10 bags of trash. Every container is barcoded to identify where it belongs. Additional containers will be available with a nonrefundable deposit of $100 by visiting Avalon Public Works once additional containers become available. Residents may use old containers until Sept. 20. After Oct. 1, only the new containers will be collected. Arrangements can be made with Avalon Public Works to remove your old cans. Avalon will provide a 35-gallon container for individuals with severe mobility issues after the 95-gallon carts have been tested by the resident.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BEACH
Let’s face it, everything on the Seven Mile Beach revolves around one thing … the main thing … our incredible beaches. Thankfully our beach replenishment project is proceeding at a great pace. The Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company’s Dredge Texas arrived in Townsend’s Inlet in mid-April. The Texas dredged and pumped sand 24/7 beginning April 14. The weather was our friend in that there was only one minor weather interruption of three days when the dredge needed to take safe harbor. In all, 600,000 cubic yards of sand were added to the beaches when the Avalon portion of the project was completed at 8:50pm on May 12, several weeks ahead of schedule.
Great Lakes immediately began laying submerged pipe well off Avalon’s coast down to Stone Harbor. A booster pump is being used offshore at about 31st Street in order to move the sand along the Seven Mile Beach to Stone Harbor. The first outfall pipe reached Stone Harbor on May 13, at about 91st Street. Signs were posted warning of high-pressure pipelines along beach paths. The filling of Stone Harbor’s beaches should be occurring by the time that you are reading this.
This project is an example of federal, state and local governments working together for the benefit of residents. There are very few companies that do this type of beach replenishment and both Avalon and Stone Harbor are extremely fortunate to get a mid-spring beach fill that should be completed in time for the busy summer season. In our July issue, we hope to update you on the total volume added to the Stone Harbor beaches.
TALKING BASEBALL
And softball. For many years, kids in both Avalon and Stone Harbor competed on Avalon’s Little League and Babe Ruth League teams. Now, for the first time in anyone’s memory, Avalon and Stone Harbor Schools will have their own baseball and softball teams. These new teams will compete for the first season in the Atlantic-Cape Junior High League. The Sharks, as they are known, play their home games on Avalon’s 10th Street fields against teams from Dennis Township, Margaret Mace (North Wildwood), Crest Memorial, Wildwood Catholic and Wildwood. Games are scheduled through May 31. Stop by and cheer the Sharks on.
New trash and recycling containers piled high in Avalon ready for delivery.
AVALON RECEIVES RECYCLING INVESTMENT
American Beverage and the Recycling Partnership teamed up to donate 96-gallon recycling bins to Avalon property owners. This investment will directly benefit more than 1,500 residents and approximately 40,000 seasonal visitors. The $91,200 grant will also support a robust education and outreach program for residents.
The investment is expected to produce more than 3.2 million new pounds of recyclables over the next decade. This project is a significant milestone for Avalon and will play a prominent role in the continued protection of Avalon’s pristine and beautiful beaches.
Avalon’s is the latest in more than two dozen initial projects to which the beverage industry has committed under the Every Bottle Back Program. To date, all Every Bottle Back investments total more than $20 million in committed funding donated to yield more than 726 million more pounds of polyethylene terephthalate over 10 years. These programs are intended to help keep recyclables out of our environment and waterways.
Environmental Commission Chair Donna Rothman instructs students from Cape May Technical High School at Avalon’s Pollination Park.
CAPE TECH ASSISTS WITH POLLINATION PARK
The Avalon Environmental Commission was grateful to receive assistance from students at Cape May Technical High School in removing destructive and invasive species of plants from the pollination park at 70th and Ocean Drive. The park is a popular destination for a plethora of pollinating insects but is an especially important stopover point later this summer for migrating monarch butterflies.
“We appreciate all of the help that we had on May 9,” said commission chair Donna Rothman. “Mayor-elect McCorristin and Councilman McDermott lent a helping hand, but what a sight when that yellow school bus arrived filled with students! Thanks to everyone for their assistance.”