Times Talk
FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF
Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi put an end to speculation that had been circulating for several months when he recently announced that he would not seek reelection as the Borough’s chief executive in the May election.
“I just decided that it was time,” Pagliughi told Seven Mile Times. “I’m tired. We’re leaving the town in a great shape and we have what I consider the right group on Borough Council to continue guiding the town.”
Pagliughi has served as Avalon’s mayor for 32 years. Aside from being the Borough’s longest-serving mayor, his legacy will be one filled with municipal accomplishments that any local government official would envy.
He will continue in his role as the emergency management director for Cape May County. Pagliughi has endorsed current council member and lifelong resident John McCorristin in his bid to be elected mayor.
Following a lengthy interview with the mayor, we’ve planned an extensive profile and review of his impressive career here in Avalon that we will run in the Memorial Day issue of Seven Mile Times.
HELLO AND GOODBYE
There were comings and goings for the Stone Harbor and Avalon police departments in February.
Mayor Martin Pagliughi swore in Avalon’s newest police officer, Kyle Roscoe, on Feb. 8. Roscoe received his badge from Police Chief Jeffery Christopher.
In Stone Harbor, the Borough Council and Stone Harbor Police Department said goodbye and a heartfelt thank you to Staff Sgt. Gregory Jackson on his retirement after 21 years of service.
The new Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house.
VILLA MARIA BY THE SEA NEARS COMPLETTION
If you haven’t driven by 111th Street recently, it’s probably time to plan a visit. Everyone was wondering what the new Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house might look like. It was worth the wait as the beautiful structure nears completion.
The sisters like to say, “Times change, names change, but divine providence remains ever constant.” There’s no question that for as much as we loved the house constructed in 1937, it won’t be long before Villa Maria is one of the new iconic sites of Stone Harbor.
Many religious retreat houses around the country are in danger of vanishing due to changing demographics. Here in Stone Harbor, the sisters planned a significant undertaking. And, it appears, planned well. This could pave the way for this new retreat house to become a familiar site for many years to come.
Ground was broken on this new structure on Sept. 22, 2021. Construction began in earnest and now it is nearing completion. Villa Maria was always famous for its “Nuns’ Beach.” No word if the renovations will now lead the way for “Nuns’ Pool.”
Sean Loosh will perform at the 7 Mile Island Spring Fling at Punch Line Philly.
‘7 MILE ISLAND SPRING FLING’ SET FOR APRIL 23
Eager to get the season started? Then you should probably mark your calendar for Sunday, April 23, from 3-9pm for The Mayor’s 7 Mile Island Spring Fling celebrating the Seven Mile Beach at Punch Line Philly, a comedy club in Northern Liberties. It’s like a preseason kickoff to the Summer of ‘23.
The “Mayor,” of course, is the legendary Greg Meredith from The Princeton. He’s the mayor who never needs to worry about reelection. Now, he’s gotten together with some old friends to throw the hottest party that Philadelphia has seen in a long time. “We’ve been talking about doing this for so long,” he explained. “But time gets away. We just decided that it’s time.”
According to Meredith, “It’s an opportunity for a lot of old friends to get together along with all our newer friends before the summer kicks off.”
The Mayor knows how to throw a party, so expect a star-studded lineup including longtime Seven Mile Beach favorite Loosh, The Black Dandelions, and The Princeton’s own DJ Dave. Tickets are on sale now, but they are moving fast. To lock in your tickets today, go to punchlinephilly.com.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew
VAN DREW VOICES OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED OFFSHORE WIND FARM
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew conducted a hearing in March examining offshore wind industrialization, a sensitive topic on the Seven Mile Beach since a wind farm is proposed off the coast of Cape May County. The hearing at the Wildwoods Convention Center drew a standing-room crowd. According to Van Drew, “This is the most profound transformation of the Atlantic Coast in the history of the United States.”
Local concerns have been raised over the winter months on the wind farm’s effect on property values, on the natural habitat offshore, and on the fishing industry. Concerns were accelerated over the winter when the carcasses of more than a dozen whales washed ashore on the New Jersey coast. Although no scientific evidence has been presented to support the theory, opponents of the project are concerned that at least some of the deaths may be related to the sonar mapping of the ocean floor that took place last fall in advance of any construction.
Van Drew has proposed a moratorium on the project to allow for a full investigation. According to the congressman, “These projects will have substantial impact on the local tourism industry and the surrounding environment.”
The 23rd Street Public Dock will be back brand-new for the summer season.
OLD IS NEW IN AVALON AT 23rd STREET
The 23rd Street Public Dock has been a popular swimming spot in Avalon for nearly a century. The diving board from the 1960s and ‘70s is long gone, but that hasn’t affected the popularity a bit – especially at high tide on warm days when the dock is packed with water-loving enthusiasts.
Don’t look now, but the popular dock has vanished – albeit temporarily. The public dock is coming back in time for summer brand-new and even better. The marine construction is being handled by R.A. Walters and Sons Marine Construction. The actual deck construction will be handled by Avalon’s Public Works Department. The renovations will include enhanced handicap access as directed by ADA compliance guidelines and a new bulkhead that is expected to significantly assist in mitigating some of the tidal flooding that affects the downtown area.
NEW WATERING RESTRICTIONS IN STONE HARBOR
Stone Harbor property owners should be aware of new watering restrictions that went into effect this year. Specifically, the grass, trees or land beds located between the curb and sidewalk may only be watered now by systems utilizing drip or trickle irrigation. Installed sprinklers are not permitted to be utilized in these areas. The ordinance regarding these restrictions was approved by Borough Council in April 2022 and became enforceable on Jan. 1.
AVALON FIRE DEPARTMENT FUNDRAISER
Extinguish those hunger pains on Wednesday, May 17 with a fundraising dinner for the Avalon Fire Department hosted by Polpo Ristorante. Tickets, which are priced at just $60 (gratuity not included) are available at Avalon/Stone Harbor Realty with checks only please, made payable to Friends of the Avalon Fire Department. All proceeds from the evening will be contributed to the Avalon Fire Department by Polpo. For additional information, contact Miriam at 609-967-9200.
Harry Delgado from the NJSACOP presented the reaccreditation certificate to Police Chief Jeffrey Christopher.
APD AGAIN ACCREDITED BY STATE’S POLICE CHIEFS
The Avalon Police Department was honored at the Jan. 24 Borough Council meeting for its fourth accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP). The accreditation, which is only achieved by 30% of the police departments in the state, delivers an objective measurement of the department’s leadership and service. The department is reviewed every three years, which includes a full on-site assessment.
FREE TREE SEEDLINGS AVAILABLE APRIL 22
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the State Forest Service and the Avalon Environmental Commission are offering home owners an opportunity to bring a little more of Mother Nature to the island while beautifying their properties on Saturday, April 22. That’s when the Environmental Commission will be distributing 500 tree seedlings.
The seedlings, which are native trees to Cape May County, are distributed on a first-come basis and are free of charge to property owners. Distribution will take place at the Avalon Community Hall at 30th Street and Avalon Avenue from 8:30am-noon. The rain date for distribution is Sunday, April 23. So, grab your spade and let’s make Avalon a little greener.
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION RIGHT ON SCHEDULE
A couple of bridge construction updates thanks to Cape May County Engineer Bob Church:
GREAT CHANNEL BRIDGE STONE HARBOR: Work began in December. Traffic is currently limited to one lane, so please plan accordingly. Workers have removed the existing fender system and installed a new fiberglass-reinforced fender system. Steel repairs, which were a priority, are now nearly complete. Electrical upgrades and new span locks are scheduled to begin the last week of March. The project is on schedule and the contracted work is expected to be completed by May 24.
21st AND 25th STREET BRIDGES IN AVALON: The work that has been taking place on both bridges for several months is an abutment rehabilitation. As part of the design, fiberglass sheeting has been installed in front of existing timber abutments. This will serve as both a permanent sheeting and a protectant for the concrete. Once the abutments are rehabilitated, top side repairs to the cracked parapet walls will begin. This project also is on schedule, expected to be complete by May 20.