Times Talk
Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi with Borough Council newcomers Jamie McDermott and Mari Coskey, and incumbent Council President John McCorristin.
AVALON COUNCIL ADDS TWO NEW MEMBERS
Avalon filled three Borough Council seats in its municipal election May 11, with the return of Council President John McCorristin and the addition of newcomers Mari Coskey and Jamie McDermott to replace outgoing members Dr. Nancy Hudanich and James Deever.
The electees ran uncontested to win the four-year terms.
McCorristin, an Avalon native, has been on the council since 2013. In addition to his role as president, he is a member of the Council Finance Committee. He also is a board member of the Avalon Free Public Library. McCorristin looks forward to helping hold the line on municipal tax rates and is eager to begin the coordination of a complete renovation of the Bay Park Marina.
“It has been my pleasure to serve the Avalon community in many capacities for many years, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue being an integral part to the Borough,” he said. “Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”
McDermott joins council after serving on the Borough’s Planning and Zoning Board. In his professional career, he has served as a chief assistant district attorney for the City of Philadelphia and the executive director of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. A longtime resident of Avalon, McDermott plans to focus on public safety and nuisance issues that can arise through the summer season, and promoting Avalon’s businesses and maintaining a full-service business district.
“I look forward to working alongside fellow council members to serve the families of Avalon, and assisting this wonderful community,” he said.
After spending many summers in Avalon with her extended family, Coskey became a full-time resident in 2014. A mother of two, she has recently completed a certification in Applied Educational Neuroscience from Butler University. Coskey is the coordinator for special education services for the Avalon Stone Harbor Schools, and serves as the district’s speech-language pathologist. She looks forward to focusing on highlighting Avalon as the safe and welcoming community that she grew to love.
“Avalon has always had a very special place in my heart and I look forward to working with the council to preserve and grow many of the things that make it so wonderful,” she said. “There are a lot of new and exciting opportunities on the horizon and I am thrilled to be able to take part.”
Avalon Borough Council meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, with a work session beginning at 4pm and the council meeting following directly after. For agendas and minutes, go to avalonboro.net.
The new website for avalonrecreation.org.
AVALON RECREATION INTRODUCES NEW WEBSITE
The Avalon Recreation Department recently launched its new website,
avalonrecreation.org, featuring a revamped layout that includes highlights on summer camps, youth and adult programming, a calendar of events, and important Community Hall updates and announcements.
In addition to the new look, the site features compatibility across all devices for ease of viewing on a desktop or mobile device. Users can obtain important information on beach access with the new Resources tab as well as hours for public restrooms, kayak storage information, and important COVID-19 updates.
“The Avalon Community Hall and the Recreation Department are key aspects to our resident and visitor experience,” said Recreation Director Chuck McDonnell. “It was important to create a layout that was easy to use for our year-round population, while also appealing to incoming visitors seeking summer camp and programming information.”
The site was designed and developed by 7 Mile Publishing & Creative, and features important links to social media avenues, an easy-to-use calendar of events, and highlights on important town updates, resources and announcements.
Go to avalonrecreation.org for more information.
A NEW WAY TO BUY BEACH TAGS
The Avalon and Stone Harbor borough councils recently approved an agreement to partner with Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training and Opportunity Center, to allow for the online purchase of seasonal beach tags.
“This is a terrific partnership between the Borough and Center for another way to obtain beach access in advance,” said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Beach tags are required through the season, and we aim to make access to these tags as easy as possible. The partnership with Jersey Cape has provided a new and easy way to purchase and receive tags before a visitor arrives to town.”
Individuals are now able to go to jerseycapetags.com to purchase 2021 seasonal tags, and the tags will be delivered to the designated residence. A nominal convenience and shipping fee will be applied, and the sale will continue throughout the season.
The cost of Avalon and Stone Harbor seasonal beach tags is $25 through May 31, and then $30 starting June 1. Online sales are for seasonal tags only. Weekly tags are $13 and daily passes are $6. Beachgoers are also able to purchase tags using the Mobile App Viply, or in person at the Beach Tag Booth or with a beach tag checker.
“The Borough of Stone Harbor is proud to partner with Jersey Cape in this endeavor,” said Stone Harbor Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour. “The online purchase adds a new level of convenience for beachgoers who like to have their tags in advance. If you prefer to purchase tags in person, you can still do that as well. Win, win!”
Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training, and Opportunity Center, Inc. has helped more than 5,000 Cape May County individuals with vocational goals. Also known as Jersey Cape, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit offers programs and services with the end goal of helping at-risk individuals in achieving goals and greater independence.
For beach information, go to shnj.org and avalonboro.net. To purchase tags, go to jerseycapetags.com.
Avalon’s Department of Public Works continues on the beach sand back-passing project, moving sand from 32nd Street to north-end beaches.
AVALON BACK-PASSING UPDATE
The back-passing project to replenish Avalon’s north-end beaches started in late April and is expected to be completed around Memorial Day weekend.
The sand back-passing is needed to repair severe erosion to north-end beaches after multiple winter storms through February. The project, supervised by Mott MacDonald, is being executed by the Department of Public Works.
While Avalon contracts for hydraulic beach-fill projects approximately every three years, sand back-passing is necessary in the interim to relocate sand that is naturally pushed to other beachfront areas. Public Works has been mechanically harvesting sand from the mean low-water line at the south end of 32nd Street and transporting it to the north beaches. The current project mirrors the 2019 back-passing, which successfully relocated approximately 55,000 cubic yards of sand to the north-end beaches. A hydraulic beach-fill project is tentatively set for 2022.
“The Borough has been conducting back-passing projects for many years as an economical way to provide interim relief to eroded beaches between hydraulic beach-fill cycles,” said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “By renting the necessary equipment and having our talented staff at Public Works conduct the actual project, we save a tremendous amount of money and are assured the project will be done properly.”
The beaches have remained open during the process, amid the heavy construction equipment. The Borough advised the public to remain vigilant in accessing those beaches until the project’s completion, and to please avoid the temporary piles of sand created for transport.
For information and schedule updates, go to avalonboro.net.
Basketball is among the numerous sports included in Stone Harbor Recreation’s summer sports clincis and programs.
STONE HARBOR RECREATION RELEASES SUMMER LINEUP
The Stone Harbor Recreation Department recently announced its summer lineup, which includes a full range of sports and fun activities for youngsters and adults alike.
Kids will enjoy the daily arts-and-crafts clinics, featuring interactive activities for ages 4-6 from 9-10:30am, and ages 7-11 from 10:45am-12:45pm. The fee to participate is $10 a day. Participants will work with paint, glitter, glue and more, with new themes and crafts each day.
The department has also opened registration for its popular youth sports clinics from 8am to noon, Monday through Thursday. Sports are broken down into age groups and skill levels, with instruction offered on flag football, baseball, tennis, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, pickleball, and fishing & crabbing.
Adult programming includes stand-up paddleboard lessons, kayak tours, power yoga, beach yoga, fitness boot camp, running instruction, and more. Additionally, the recreation department will host a men’s basketball league every Sunday evening, men’s and women’s bocce leagues, low-sit cardio for seniors, and a weekly adult cornhole event. All programs are scheduled for the 82nd Street Recreation complex, unless otherwise noted.
“This summer has a great lineup of activities for all ages and interests,” said Stone Harbor Recreation Director Tina Prickett. “We’re happy to have the ability to offer such a variety of programming, and it’s great to see our residents and visitors join us for the daily activities. We’re hoping to have a great summer.”
The 82nd Street facilities are open daily throughout the summer starting at 8am. The recreation department is asking all participants to follow current COVID regulations in order to participate in summer programming. A full calendar of programming for all ages and registration links can be found at stoneharborrecreation.com.
Avalon dispatch services moved to Cape May County with a shared services agreement.
AVALON JOINS COUNTY DISPATCH SERVICES
Avalon’s Borough Council recently approved a shared services agreement with Cape May County, joining its centralized dispatch services in a five-year agreement starting March 1. All emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire and rescue will now be answered by Cape May County’s dispatch center.
Avalon previously shared services with Stone Harbor and handled all dispatching services for the island, until Stone Harbor moved to utilizing the county dispatch.
The agreement results in cost savings for the borough as a majority of the financial obligations will now be absorbed by the county, including technology advancement upgrades as well as salaries, wages, health benefits and pension obligations. Additionally, residents will directly experience the benefits of the move with the latest technology in dispatch services, the NG911, which the county dispatch currently provides.
County dispatch has technology that can pinpoint the location of a 911 emergency call to within 150 feet of the caller, using the RapidSOS program. In addition, new technologies will now be available including a text feature that allows the public to text or call an emergency to 911. Plans for the future include the use of video to submit emergencies, which will then be transmitted directly to police for response.
“The borough continues to explore options to enhance public service, and this new agreement will provide the latest in technology and efficiency for emergency and non-emergency calls,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Thank you to the borough’s police and public safety administration for working to move this project into fruition.”
Avalon joins neighboring communities utilizing the county dispatch center including Stone Harbor, Lower Township and Wildwood Crest. The agreement runs through February 2026.
Jola Site Contractors is working along Dune Drive to replant trees and flowers.
DUNE DRIVE IS GETTING SPRUCED UP
A Dune Drive replanting project has begun with Taylor Design Group and the contracted landscaping company, Jola Site Contractors. The goal of the project is to restore landscaping and planting to the business district and downtown area of Avalon, from 19th Street to 34th Street.
Replanting began in late April and is expected to be completed before Memorial Day with the goal of adding color and variety for the summer season. Plans also include replacing and repairing portions of drip irrigation, replacing missing plantings, reducing the visibility of mulch, and adding plantings throughout.
The beautification effort will include work on the islands and portions of the sidewalks starting at 19th Street and working south. Proposed plant types include red drift rose, hummelo betony, hydrangea, crepe myrtles and more to brighten and improve the aesthetic of Avalon’s shopping district.
When the Dune Drive Business District was first developed, it was created with decorative and ornamental plantings that served the community for years. In the years since the original project, trees and plantings have become stressed by pedestrian traffic, harsh weather elements, and tidal flooding.
“The goal of this beautification project is to restore the plantings in the business district with a variety of plants, vibrant colors, and new trees that will make the district even more pleasing to the eye,” said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “This is the first step toward bringing back the visual and environmental vibrancy that continues to make the Dune Drive Business District one of the most attractive and functional destinations in the state.”
While the project will be concluded before the holiday weekend, it is projected that the beautification will continue with more enhancement and maintenance in the spring of 2022. For updates on the replanting schedule, go to avalonboro.net.
A female diamondback terrapin is blocked from stepping into traffic.
WETLANDS INSTITUTE URGES BRAKING FOR TURTLES
Did you ever wonder about those long, black tubes that appear every summer along Avalon Boulevard and Stone Harbor Boulevard? They’re all about the turtles! The Wetlands Institute partners with the boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor every year to provide this terrapin barrier fencing to help impede nesting terrapins from crossing the dangerous roads.
The diamondback terrapin is a small turtle native to the salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, and is the only turtle in North America that lives exclusively in brackish water (part salt and part fresh).
Nesting season runs from late May through mid-July as female terrapins lay their eggs. Unfortunately, terrapins have lost a lot of their natural nesting habitat due to development, and during this time of year they attempt to cross the roads in search of suitable nesting locations.
As drivers travel along these coastal roads, a variety of signs and barriers are in place to alert motorists to travel with caution during nesting season and to be aware of turtles trying to cross the road. In addition, The Wetlands Institute staff and volunteers conduct 24-hour road patrols to search for crossing turtles, as well as ones hit by vehicles. The institute is able to save viable eggs from female terrapins and incubate them until they hatch. Through the Head Start program, the hatchling terrapins spend the winter and early spring indoors, eating and growing. In late spring and summer, the institute releases these “head-started” terrapins into their natural habitat.
How can you help? Slow down and brake for turtles. Be careful when driving island roads, especially the boulevards into both towns as terrapins begin their nesting season for the summer. The Wetlands Institute also offers an Adopt-A-Terrapin program, with proceeds going toward funding road patrols, the head-start program, terrapin tracking efforts, and providing education and awareness about The Wetlands Institute’s terrapin conservation work.
“Diamondback terrapins are a fascinating and unique species in our area,” said Dr. Lisa Ferguson, the institute’s director of research and conservation. “Roads through our coastal communities are a persistent threat to them and hundreds of nesting terrapins are killed locally by vehicles each year. “The Wetlands Institute will be patrolling the roads around the Seven Mile Island area for terrapins from May to July. We expect 2021 to be a busy season, with more visitors and traffic. Drivers can help reduce the number of terrapins killed each year by staying alert for terrapins on the road, especially the causeways that cross the marsh. If you see a terrapin in immediate danger and are in a position to safely help, carefully move it across the road in the direction it was headed.”
The Wetlands Institute promotes appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of coastal and wetlands ecosystems through programs in research, conservation, and education. For more information on programs and adoption programs, go to wetlandsinstitute.org.
The new website for stoneharborchamber.com.
STONE HARBOR CHAMBER UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE
The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce recently launched its new website at stoneharborchamber.com. The site, hosted by a chamber business,
Rocketfront.com, features a new layout and highlights the town’s member businesses including shopping, dining, activities, lodging, services and special events, with dedicated landing pages, easy navigation, and access to a full directory of local businesses. It has a responsive design, which allows for easy access across all mobile devices.
Visitors to the site can also view the latest updates on special events, important announcements from the Borough of Stone Harbor, daily updates from the chamber’s social media pages, and information on how to join as a member.
“We want Stone Harbor residents and visitors to be able to easily explore and learn more about our member businesses,” said Stone Harbor Chamber Coordinator Marnie Lengle. “The new site highlights our members with easy navigation, and provides up-to-date information on special events and important announcements.”
Go to stoneharborchamber.com for more information and to review business information.
New superintendent Kathleen Fox poses with Avalon Stone Harbor Elementary School students.
KATHLEEN FOX HIRED AS SUPERINTENDENT
Avalon Stone Harbor Schools announced the hiring of a new superintendent, Kathleen Fox, following the scheduled retirement of Stacey Tracy. Tracy will officially retire from the district on June 30 after serving Avalon and Stone Harbor for 16 years as superintendent.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the Avalon Stone Harbor School District for the past 16 years,” Tracy said. “I will take many fabulous memories, and I leave our school districts in good hands with Kathy Fox at the helm.”
Fox earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a teacher certification through the Alternate Route program, and a master’s degree in instructional technology from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
Fox joins this district after serving Brigantine Community School for 22 years as a teacher, supervisor of curriculum, and principal. BSC is a small school district, similar to Avalon Stone Harbor Schools. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Fox oversaw Brigantine’s planning to transition from two schools to one. However, in an effort to address COVID spacing needs, the transition was paused. In addition to her experience with smaller districts, Fox is also familiar with shared services, and is looking forward to working with the island community in her new position.
The Avalon and Stone Harbor Elementary School districts were consolidated starting with the 2011-12 school year. The school in Stone Harbor houses students in grades K-4; students in Pre-K and grades 5-8 go to the school in Avalon.
“I am so excited to work with the staff, students, and families in the Avalon Stone Harbor schools,” Fox said. “Some people see places like Avalon and Stone Harbor as ‘small schools,’ but I prefer to think of them as large families. I would like to thank the board and the community for welcoming me into your family.”
A meet-and-greet event for Fox was held April 27 at Avalon Elementary School. Fox was joined by a number of families, students and new colleagues as she prepares to begin her tenure.
