AVALON ENTERS INTO CONTRACT WITH BMS CAT, INC.
No-cost contract to provide assistance during storms and emergencies

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Borough Council awarded a contract to BMS CAT, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas to
provide disaster restoration services to Avalon in the event of a major storm or another emergency. Council
voted 5-0 in favor of the contract during its meeting on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009.

The contract is a no-cost contract which means BMS CAT, Inc. will be on retainer by the Borough of Avalon
for one year. BMS CAT, Inc. will only get compensated if Avalon requests their disaster restoration
services. Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi held a meeting with BMS CAT Inc. recently and make a
recommendation to Borough Council to consider a no-cost contract with the company.

“We are very pleased to offer this service, and peace of mind, to Avalon residents through this agreement
with BMS CAT Inc.”, said Avalon Council President Charles Covington. “We now have much greater
assurance that Borough government and services will be restored rapidly with the help of this company in
the event a major storm or another occurrence impacts Avalon”.

BMS CAT, Inc. is a global restoration company specializing in the restoration of commercial properties,
including government buildings and hospitals. It is a full-service company in the areas of structural and
content cleaning and can provide all of the restoration services needed to Avalon’s government in the event
of a major storm event. BMS CAT’s role in any emergency event will be to stabilize the Borough, determine
the scope of damage, and restore the Borough’s property to pre-loss condition. That restoration of
buildings and property will greatly enable Borough government to help residents with their own needs and
concerns during an emergency event.

BMS CAT, Inc. was founded in 1981, specializing in commercial and industrial property damage restoration
following floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and other catastrophic events. The company specializes in
activating its priority response team to help communities like Avalon. This team mobilizes to a safe
location near Avalon, and already has pre-existing agreements and contracts in place that will provide the
Borough with manpower and equipment needed to quickly restore services in Borough government.
BMS CAT’s response team also coordinates with local, state, and federal authorities for critical needs.
Often, the company is compensated directly from Federal Emergency Management Agency funding that is
provided to communities following devastating storm events.

“Avalon already has an outstanding emergency program, and team, in place”, Covington said. “This
agreement with BMS CAT is certainly one we hope we never have to execute. However, this gives Avalon
residents peace of mind that restoration following any storm or disaster will include top professionals, and
enable their government to help them as quickly as possible”.


BMS CAT, Inc. conducted restoration services following major hurricanes that impacted the United States,
including Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and Ike. The company also was responsible for the
complete restoration of property that was damaged when US Air Flight 1549 safely landed in the Hudson
River.

AVALON RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES FOR SERVICE

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Council President Charles Covington presented service recognition certificates to 23
Borough employees at the Wednesday, December 9th council meeting.

“I am honored to present these certificates to our employees who have reached significant milestones in
their professional careers in Avalon”, Covington said. “Avalon is very fortunate to have a very dedicated
staff of men and women who work hard every day to make Avalon a great place to live, and vacation”.

The highlight of the evening was a special presentation to Avalon Court Administrator Mary Monks. In
January, 2010, Mary will begin her 32nd year of service to Avalon. What makes her achievement very
remarkable is during those 32 years, Mary has not missed a day of work, with perfect attendance. Mary
was presented with tokens of thanks from the Borough, and her fellow employees, for her continued
work on behalf of the Borough.

Other employees who were recognized for their service include:

25 years: Stanley Johnstone, Art Ridler, Murray Wolf

20 years: Butch Blood, Joe Breslin, Cindi Dandridge, Karen DeLuca, Noreen Fitzpatrick, Nancy Hudanich,
Kimberly Mastriana

15 years: Cary Lawson, Kevin Scarpa, Kathleen Seliger, John Tracy

10 years: Steve Camp, Jeff Christopher, Ed Dean, Mike Dean, Sal DeSimone, Tracey Eppright

5 years: Charlie LeFevre, Mike Loughran

AVALON ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION TO DISCUSS DUNE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
Public invited to learn more about plan for Avalon’s back dune area

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Environmental Commission will discuss the Borough’s new dune vegetation management plan for the dune area in Avalon during its next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 15th, at 4:00pm at Avalon Borough Hall.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about a proactive plan that will result in
a stronger, healthier, more vibrant dune system in the Borough of Avalon”, said Dr. Brian Reynolds,
the Chairman of the Avalon Environmental Commission. “A final draft of the plan will be given to the
commission for its review before the plan is presented to Borough Council”.

The new dune vegetation management plan will encourage more diversity of trees and shrubs in the Avalon dune system, including the high dunes area of Avalon. There has been a very rapid growth and development of one type of tree in the dune system, the Japanese black pine. The Japanese black pine is an
“invasive species” and has been seeding itself seaward in Avalon replacing native plants. Ecology
has also ‘caught up’ to the Japanese black pine, meaning that pests and pathogens have begun to damage
these trees in the dunes.

“This report will recommend a test area in the vicinity of the 74th Street beach where some of the Japanese
black pine trees will be thinned, and new indigenous vegetation introduced”, Reynolds said. “It is our
belief that this will have a very positive impact on the test area, and will lead to a much stronger and
healthier dune system in Avalon, and will provide habitat for wildlife. Diversity of trees and shrubs always
results in greater stability of the dune system. We encourage the public to attend this meeting and learn
more about the plan”.

The proliferation of the Japanese black pine in recent years has also caused a safety hazard in the
dunes. Experts have found a dense tinder layer of pine cones, needles, and other debris from the trees that
cause a safety hazard, especially in the areas where beach paths exist. The density of the trees, and the
layer of materials on the ground can pose a significant fire hazard in close proximity to ocean front houses..

The 74th Street dune area was selected as a ‘test area’ for this dune vegetation management plan due to a high density of Japanese black pine trees, adjacent to a street end beach path, where trees that have
already begun to die off.



The Borough of Avalon dune system is a critically important and integral natural resource of the community that provides a protective buffer dissipating coastal storm energy; a bank of sand to replenish the beach system during coastal storm events; an extensive and diverse habitat for local plants and wildlife adapted to the dune ecosystem and contains and protects the unique maritime forest. Accordingly, the main goal of the dune vegetation management plan is to maintain a healthy, diverse dune system comprised primarily of native species. In order to accomplish this goal we need to control this invasive species through a carefully crafted and monitored management plan.

The public will be able to comment on the Dune Vegetation Management Plan before any vote by the
Avalon Borough Council. The entire plan will be available on Avalon’s official website,
www.avalonboro.org, once it is reviewed by the Environmental Commission and by the Avalon Borough
Council.

The report was prepared by the Lomax Consulting Group in Cape May Court House, New Jersey based upon their research and investigation of the Avalon dune system.

AVALON PERFORMANCE OF SYMPHONY AVAILABLE ON COMPACT DISC
Bay Atlantic Symphony performance in Avalon now available

(Avalon, NJ)—The Bay Atlantic Symphony has released a brand new compact disc available to the public
for purchase. This new compact disc features a performance by the symphony in Avalon on July 18th,
2009.

The new compact disc is entitled “1001 Nights’ Entertainment”, presented by the Bay Atlantic Symphony,
with Jed Gaylin as the Music Director. This is a recording of the symphony’s “Symphony By The Sea”
series, presented by the Avalon Free Public Library.

The compact disc includes:

Esparia…………………………….….Chabrier
Selections from Carmen………..Bizet
Prelude
Aragonaise
Intermezzo
Danse Boheme
Les Toreadors
Mvt.II from Scheherazade………Rimsky-Korsakov
The Story of the Prince-Kalandar
Ruotao Mao, violin
Bacchanal from Samson & Delilah…Saint-Saens

The new compact disc costs $15, and is available at the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, Armadillo, and
Ocean Galleries, all located in Avalon.
For more information on the Bay Atlantic Symphony, please visit www.bayatlanticsymphony.org.

AVALON FIRE COMPANY TO WELCOME SANTA

The Avalon Vol. Fire Dept. has been able to arrange a visit from Santa Claus to Avalon on Monday, December 21, 2009.

Due to his busy schedule, and the lack of reindeer food in the dunes, we will be bringing Santa door to door on the fire engines. We must curtail his visits to about 5 minutes so he can make all his stops before bedtime.

If you would like Santa to stop by your house, call 967-5914 to sign up. We will need each child’s name, age, and the location to visit.

Santa will try to make all his stops between 6pm and 8pm. Unfortunately, we cannot provide exact times.

Santa will also bring small gifts for children ages 0 - 9.

Summary
Date: Dec. 21, 2009
Time: 6p-8p

Sign-up: 967-5914

We Need: Names/Ages/Gender

Address to Visit

AVALON ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION TO DISCUSS VEGETATION PLAN
Public invited to learn more about plan for Avalon’s high dune area

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Environmental Commission will discuss the Borough’s new vegetation plan
for the dune area in Avalon during its next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Tuesday, December
15th, at 4:00pm at Avalon Borough Hall.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about a proactive plan that will result in
a stronger, healthier, more vibrant dune system in the Borough of Avalon”, said Dr. Brian Reynolds,
the Chairman of the Avalon Environmental Commission. “A final draft of the plan will be given to the
commission for its review before the plan is presented to Borough Council”.

The new dune vegetation plan will encourage more diversity of trees and plants in the Avalon dune system,
including the high dunes area of Avalon. There has been a very rapid growth and development of one type
of tree in the dune system, the Japanese Black Pine. The Japanese Black Pine has been designated an
“invasive species” and has been seeding itself seaward in Avalon replacing indigenous species. Ecology
has also ‘caught up’ to the Japanese Black Pine, meaning that pests and pathogens have begun to damage
these trees in the dunes.

“This report will recommend a test area in the vicinity of the 74th Street beach where some of the Japanese
Black Pine trees will be thinned, and new indigenous vegetation introduced”, Reynolds said. “It is our
belief that this will have a very positive impact on the test area, and will lead to a much stronger and
healthier dune system in Avalon, and will provide habitat for wildlife. Diversity of trees and plants always
results in greater stability of the dune system. We encourage the public to attend this meeting and learn
more about the plan”.

The proliferation of the Japanese Black Pine in recent years has also caused a safety hazard in the
dunes. Experts have found a dense tinder layer of pine cones, needles, and other debris from the trees that
cause a safety hazard, especially in the areas where beach paths exist. The density of the trees, and the
layer of materials on the ground can pose a significant fire hazard.

The 74th Street dune area was selected as a ‘test area’ for this vegetation plan due to a high density of
Japanese Black Pine trees, a street end beach path, and some trees that have already begun to die off.

Avalon’s high dune area is approximately 100 acres in size, and changes by one to two acres every year.
Fewer than eight acres of the high dunes is zoned RIAA, where residential lots exist. The remainder of
Avalon’s high dunes area is in the Public Conservation Zone, which means that the rest of the dune system
will never be developed in Avalon. It is officially listed on the Register of Open Space Inventory.

The high dunes are a compilation of five different dune ridges that run from 44th Street to 58th Street.
The highest elevation of the Avalon high dunes is 53 feet, the lowest, eight feet. The average height of
Avalon’s high dunes area is 17 feet. The high dune area, except where residential lots exist (less than
eight percent) is owned by the Borough of Avalon.

The public will be able to comment on the Dune Vegetation Management Plan before any vote by the
Avalon Borough Council. The entire plan will be available on Avalon’s official website,
www.avalonboro.org, once it is reviewed by the Environmental Commission and by the Avalon Borough
Council.

The report was prepared by the Lomax Consulting Group in Cape May Court House, New Jersey.

MAYOR, AVALON LIONS PRESENT PROCLAMATION TO SUE KEEN

Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and the Avalon Lions Club presented a special proclamation to Avalon resident Sue Keen during the Lions’ annual holiday dinner on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The club thanked Sue for her many years of dedication to the Avalon community, and specifically for her work with the club, and with Avalon senior citizens. Sue is also responsible for Avalon’s feral cat program, and organizes beach weddings in the community, while also serving as an assistant to the mayor.

FORMAL RESOLUTION FOR SUE KEEN, DECEMBER 3, 2009

WHEREAS, The Avalon Lions Club recognizes its very valuable volunteers who assist the club in all of its charitable endeavors, and

WHEREAS, The Avalon Lions Club formally extends a heartfelt thank you to Sue Keen for many years of dedication and commitment to her hometown of Avalon, and

WHEREAS, Sue has been a member of the Avalon Lions Club for over three years, and served as the liaison for the Avalon Lions Club attorney and the Lions’ International Foundation Group, performing all necessary correspondence and documentation for the Lions Club charter for a five month period, and

WHEREAS, Sue not only has performed her commitments and duties as Administrative Assistant to the Mayor of Avalon, but has gone above and beyond the call of duty in her professional/personal life, and

WHEREAS, Sue is a humanitarian, and always helps a resident, visitor, and any stray pet in need, and

WHEREAS, Sue dedicates herself to Avalon’s thriving Senior Citizen population by organizing activities at the Avalon Senior Center, which include Wii bowling, cooking classes, and bridge while also serving as the President of the Avalon Senior Citizen Organization, and

WHEREAS, Sue tirelessly dedicates herself to the feral cat program in Avalon, which has proven to reduce the numbers of stray cats in Avalon while providing a safe and effective way to manage, nourish, and care for our four-legged friends, and

WHEREAS, Sue also dedicates herself to her church community, family, and helps residents and visitors with beach weddings and charitable interests.

THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Avalon Lions Club officially recognizes Sue Keen of Avalon, NJ for her valuable efforts to the club, community, church, family, neighbors, and visitors, and

THEREFORE, on this date, December 3, 2009, Sue Keen is officially recognized as the “Florence Nightingale” of Avalon, NJ and the Avalon Lions Club extends its most sincere thanks and gratitude to Sue for her endless contributions that truly make Avalon “Cooler By a Mile”.

HELEN L. DILLER VACATION HOME RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION
Anna Grillo helps make vacations for special children possible in 2010

(Avalon, NJ)—Summer vacations for visually impaired children are being made possible thanks to a very
generous donation made at the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children in Avalon. The home
received a donation of $3,800 during a special check presentation on Friday, November 27th.

“We are very grateful for the donation from the Grillo family”, said Doug Heun, the president of the Diller
Vacation Home. “This type of charitable giving is what helps us provide memorable vacations for visually-
impaired children from our region”.

Anna Grillo and her family visited the Diller home last Friday to make the check presentation. Mrs. Grillo
provides a donation each year in Avalon to a special organization or charity who works for the betterment
of the Avalon community. Mrs. Grillo offers a donation each year in the memory of her late husband,
Joseph Grillo. This year’s donation came from proceeds from an annual golf tournament held in Joseph
Grillo’s honor each year; 2009 marked the seventh year that the golf tournament has been held.

The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children is located at 127 26th Street in Avalon, New Jersey.
Since 1972, blind and visually-impaired children have been enjoying a one week summer vacation at the
home from mid-June through mid-August. The home provides vacations to children between the ages of
seven and 15 years of age, and there is a one to five staff to child ratio provided for the vacationers.

It costs approximately $1,500 to provide a one week experience for a child, but there is no cost to the
families. The Diller home is supported by volunteerism, foundation grants, general donations and
community organizations. Key benefactors include Tim Kerr Charities, the Avalon Lions Club, and the
William G. & Helen C. Hoffman Foundation. The home is a New Jersey Lions International District 16C
supported project.

For more information on the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, please visit
www.dillerblindhome.org. The next Grillo golf outing will be held on August 15th, 2010 at 2pm at the
Avalon Golf Club in Swainton, New Jersey.

Photo: Anna Grillo stands with her family and Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children board of directors at the home on Friday, November 27th.

AVALON POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN DECEMBER DUI CRACKDOWN
888 DUI-related deaths reported nationwide in December ‘09

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Police Chief David Dean announced that the Avalon Police Department will
participate in a nationwide crackdown on drunk and “buzzed” driving during the month of December.
The drunk driving crackdown will take place between December 16th, 2009 through January 3, 2010.

“Driving while intoxicated is a serious matter 12 months out of the year”, Dean said. “The Avalon Police
Department wants to make sure residents and visitors have a safe holiday driving season, and we are
pleased to partner with our police friends nationwide in this effort.”

Drunk driving remains one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2008, 11,773 people died in highway
crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. In
December, 2008, 888 people lost their lives nationwide in drunk driving related deaths.

“That’s exactly why the Avalon Police Department is proud to participate in this program”, Dean said.
“The name of the program says it all: ‘Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest’. We are asking
people to be responsible, and diligent, and not to get behind the wheel if they have been drinking”.

This year, police departments throughout the United States will remind motorists that so-called
“buzzed driving” is drunk driving. Drivers often have the impression that even though they have
consumed alcohol and feel only “buzzed” that they can drive a motor vehicle when in fact they are
over the legal BAC limit of .08 percent, and breaking the law.

The Avalon Police Department reminds residents and visitors how easy it is to avoid a drunk driving arrest:

*Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
*Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
*If you are impaired, call a sober friend or family member to get home safely.
*Wear a seat belt while in your car; it is your best defense against an impaired driver.
*If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call the Avalon Police Department at 967-3411.

Avalon Police plan to step up their enforcement of the state’s drunk driving laws during this program.

“Not only is drunk driving illegal and dangerous, it is always costly”, Dean said. “A drunk driving arrest
can result in a loss of license, the inability to drive to work and earn a living, not to mention higher
insurance rates, attorney’s fees, and court costs”.
For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

AVALON COUNCIL APPROVES NEW RULES RELATING TO BOAT TRAILERS
Trailers cannot be parked on Borough streets from June 1 through September 30th

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Borough Council unanimously voted 5-0 in favor of a new traffic enforcement
law during its meeting on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009. The new law will prohibit the parking of boat
and watercraft trailers on residential streets from June 1 through September 30th of each year.

The new regulations read:

8:4-15.1 Parking of Boat Trailers and Watercraft Trailers Prohibited between June 1 and
September 30 No person shall park, store, or permit the parking or storage of boat trailers or
watercraft trailers (attached or detached) of any type or description, regardless of whether such trailer
is licensed and/or registered, and regardless of whether a boat or other watercraft is currently located
on the trailer, or any municipal, state, or county roadway in the Borough of Avalon between June 1 and
September 30.

The new regulations also mandate that anyone who wants to park a boat or watercraft trailer on the street
between October 1 and May 31 “…may park the trailer directly in front of, and immediately adjacent to,
the curb or property line of any property owned by the trailer owner, or occupied by the trailer owner as a
tenant under a written lease, with the owner of the property”.

Avalon’s mayor and council has received numerous complaints in recent years about the number of
parking spaces occupied by boat and watercraft trailers, especially during the busy summer months when
parking spaces are at a premium. Additionally, members of the community spoke at recent council
meetings about potential hazards of trying to legally park on a street while negotiating a vehicle around
a boat trailer.

The Borough will post signs at Avalon entrance points indicating that parking of boat and watercraft
trailers on Borough streets is prohibited between June 1 and September 30, and is restricted as provided
between October 1 and May 31. Avalon’s Public Information Office will also kick off a major public
awareness campaign in advance of the 2010 summer tourism season.

Avalon Free Public Library Receives 5 More Stars!

Avalon - The Avalon Free Public Library (AFPL) has been listed for the second time this year as one of the country’s top libraries by Library Journal (LJ). In the November 15th edition of Library Journal, the LJ Index of Public Library Service rated AFPL as a 5 Star on the basis of statistical performance data collected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in 2007. AFPL’s first 5-star rating, which was awarded in February of this year, is based on 2006 performance data.

Two hundred fifty-eight libraries out of a total of 7,268 received 3, 4 and 5 star ratings. In addition to the Avalon Library, the New Jersey star rating recipients include Mercer County Library (in Lawrenceville) and Bernardsville Public Library, each with 5 stars, Princeton Public Library with 4 stars and Summerset County Library (in Bridgewater) with 3 stars.

The LJ Index of Public Library Services reviews four per capita output measures that indicate public service- circulation, visits, program attendance, and public Internet use. The release of two rounds of LJ Index in 2009 can be attributed to a dramatic improvement in the speed of processing data obtained from its annual census of U.S. public libraries. The LJ Index will continue to publish results of the survey as soon as available each year.

“This rating is a reflection of how much the community values this library, and the hard work by staff members and library board trustees to make the library a cultural focal point in Avalon’” said Norman Gluckman, library director.

Information about the survey can be found at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6629180.html.

The Avalon Library is located at 235 32nd Street and provides free and open access to first class collections, services and programs that inspire, inform and enrich the community. For more information on all library programs, please visit the library Web site at www.avalonfreelibrary.org.

AVALON ASSISTS HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS FOLLOWING STORM

Due to the recent nor'easter, the Avalon Department of Public Works will be glad to pick up any items that were damaged in the storm from your home or business. If you have any storm damaged items that you would like to be picked up at curbside, kindly call the Avalon Department of Public Works at 967-4368. Business owners who would like the Borough to assist them with any potential insurance claims or other matters relating to the storm, please call the office of Avalon Business Administrator Andrew Bednarek at 967-4148.

PHOTOS: COASTAL FLOODING IN AVALON FRIDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 13TH

The Borough of Avalon received moderate to severe coastal flooding during the high tide event on Friday morning, November 13th. Avalon received some flooding between 4:30-8:30am before the high water began to recede. A major nor’easter storm brought heavy rains, wind gusts approaching 60mph, and coastal flooding to Avalon, beginning on November 12th. Photos taken by Avalon Public Information Officer Scott Wahl from the back of Avalon’s Flood Response and Rescue truck, between the hours of 5:00-7:00am.

CAPE MAY COUNTY SIGNS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

Cape May Court House - Freeholder Vice-Director Ralph E. Sheets, Jr. and
Emergency Management Director Frank McCall at 6 p.m. today signed an
Emergency Proclamation declaring a state of emergency to exist in Cape
May County.

Vice-Director Sheets said, "The County has declared a state of emergency
enabling authorities to take all necessary measures to protect the
persons and property of the residents of Cape May County."

Additionally, the Cape May County Emergency Management Communications
Center has been activated. The Cape May County Fire Coordinator, EMS
Coordinators, CBRNE Director, Cape May County Fire Chiefs Association,
Cape May County Public Works Association, the Cape May County Regional
Emergency Special Operations Team and the Cape May County Municipal
Offices of Emergency Management are pre-positioned to respond to the
potential disaster associated with the Nor'easter.

The following areas have been designated as disaster areas:

The Borough of AVALON, the City of CAPE MAY, The Borough of CAPE MAY
POINT, the Township of DENNIS, the Township of LOWER, the Township of
MIDDLE, the City of NORTH WILDWOOD, the City of OCEAN CITY, the City of
SEA ISLE CITY, the Borough of STONE HARBOR, the Township of UPPER, the
Borough of WEST CAPE MAY, the Borough of WEST WILDWOOD, the City of
WILDWOOD, the Borough of WILDWOOD CREST, and the Borough of WOODBINE.

The proclamation gives the County the authority to request resources
from that State of New Jersey on behalf of municipalities.

The following resources have been requested:

* Resources to assist with ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC COMPANY power
outages that can affect all of CAPE MAY COUNTY.
* Ten HIGH WHEEL 4X4 VEHICLES have been requested for response to
assist Cape May County Municipalities in Medical Emergencies.
* NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION assets will be needed to
regulate traffic on SH 9, SH 47, SH 52, SH 107 & SH 147.
* The NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM
will be needed to offset potential problems in the region.

The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the
situation and remains in constant communication with the New Jersey
State Police, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the National
Weather Service, Municipal Emergency Management Coordinators as well as
other state and federal partners.

TOWNSENDS INLET BRIDGE TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL AT LEAST NOV. 19TH

The following is a press release issued by the Cape May County Department of Communications:

Cape May Court House – Cape May County Bridge Commission Executive Director Stephen O’Connor today announced that the Townsend Inlet Bridge connecting the Borough of Avalon and Sea Isle City will be closed for repairs until the end of next week. O’Connor said, “It is anticipated that the bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic until November 19 th or 20 th depending on weather conditions and the results of an engineering inspection.”

According to Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster, “A barge brought in to repair the fender system of the Ocean Drive Bridge caused damage Wednesday evening to the bridge railing, walkway and curb on the ocean side of the bridge. The barge broke loose from its mooring and came in contact with the bridge about 300 feet from the Avalon end of the bridge.”

With the strong winds and driving rain expected to continue, repairs to the damaged railing and sidewalk are not scheduled to begin until Sunday, November 15 th . O’Connor added, “Repairs to the sidewalk are necessary before the bridge can reopen for the safety of users since the sidewalk acts as a buffer protecting vehicles from hitting the bridge railing.”

The high winds and rough tides are currently preventing an engineering inspection of the bridge to determine any potential damage to the structure underneath the bridge. Once repairs are made and it is determined that there is no structural damage, the bridge will be reopened to traffic.

VETERANS DAY CEREMONY MOVED INSIDE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH

Avalon's Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11th has been moved inside to the Avalon Elementary School. The ceremony will start at 11am and include an address by Mayor Martin Pagliughi, and other tributes to our area veterans. Please take time today to support our local veterans on this important day.

BOROUGH OF AVALON TO OFFER PRE-SEASON BEACH TAGS BOXED FOR
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon has partnered with the Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training and Opportunity Center to present holiday-themed pre-season beach tags that will be available for purchase.

The center has created some special holiday beach tags for beach communities. Avalon will sell these beach tags during the Borough’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting event at Veterans Plaza, in the tent located at the 21st Street Circle on the evening of Friday, November 27th, 2009. Cash and personal checks will be accepted as payment; however credit card payments will not be accepted.

Here is how the program will work: The tags will be offered for sale at the tree lighting event for the pre- season price of $19 per tag. The tags will feature the design of a Christmas tree, and will come in a decorative box. The recipient of the tag will be able to redeem it starting April 3rd, 2010, at the Beach Tag Booth next to Community Hall at 30th Street, for the official Borough seasonal beach tag.

AVALON RECOGNIZES HEROS WHO SAVED A LIFE THIS SUMMER
Avalon recognizes volunteers who rescued missing man in August, 2009

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and the Avalon Borough Council formally recognized the efforts of many individuals and organizations that helped find a missing man in the community this summer. The massive search effort resulted in the safe recovery of 73 year old Harry O’Neill, who wandered away from his family on the Avalon beachfront on August 26th, and was found the next day.

“I’d like to thank every person who participated in this effort”, Pagliughi said. “During our greatest time of need, dozens of volunteers and professionals from Cape May County joined our effort and located Mr. O’Neill. This story may have had a much different ending if it wasn’t for this effort, and everyone in Avalon is deeply appreciative.”

Pagliughi presented an official proclamation to the volunteers who attended the Avalon Council meeting on Wednesday, October 28th. The proclamation reads, in part:

“On August 26th, 2009 at 4:47pm the Avalon Police Department received a call from Captain Murray Wolf of the Beach Patrol, informing the police that Mr. Harry O’Neill, 73 years old, suffering from Parkinson’s and a type of related dementia, was missing, and…Mr. O’Neill was entered into the “Missing Alert” and a search was organized through the dunes by the Avalon Fire Department. The Stone Harbor Police, and the NJSP Air Patrol, the CMCSD K-9, the Coast Guard Search and Rescue, and the Marine Police were all notified and…Avalon’s Public Information Officer contacted the media, hospitals, and sent out a message over the Global Connect System, volunteers from all our local departments, Public Works, Police, Fire, Rescue, Beach Patrol and volunteers assisting in the continuing search”.

Mr. O’Neill was located on August 27th, at 5:57pm in the dune area at 54th Street. He was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center, where he was reunited with his family. Two members of the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company located Mr. O’Neill in the dune area.

Volunteer groups who were recognized for their participation in this rescue include:

*Avalon Police Department
*Avalon Volunteer Fire Department
*Avalon EMS
*Avalon Public Works
*Avalon Beach Patrol
*Cape May County Office of Emergency Management
*Cape May County Fire Coordinator Art Treon
*Cape May County Emergency Management Director Frank McCall
*Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor, Esq.
*Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer and his department
*Cape May County Communications Van
*Cape May Court House Fire Company
*Marmora Volunteer Fire Company
*New Jersey State Police
*North Wildwood/Anglesea Fire companies
*Seaville Volunteer Fire Company
*Stone Harbor Police, Fire, EMS, and Beach Patrol
*Town Bank Volunteer Fire Company
*Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company
*United States Coast Guard
*Villas Volunteer Fire Company
*West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company
*Wildwood Fire Company

AVALON, SEA ISLE CITY PLAN UNPRECEDENTED JOINT BEACH FILL PROJECT
Cuts in state, federal funding prompt swift action to nourish beaches for public safety, tourism

(Avalon/Sea Isle City, NJ)—Officials from both Avalon and Sea Isle City are making plans for an
unprecedented interlocal agreement that would result in a beach fill in the south end of Sea Isle City and in
the north end of Avalon. The beach fill would be financed completely by the two communities, who would
then seek reimbursement from the state of New Jersey after the project is completed.

“Both Avalon and Sea Isle City have lost valuable beachfront during recent coastal storms”, said Avalon
Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “The latest state budget resulted in millions of dollars being stripped from the
Beach Protection Fund. Now we have no choice but to finance this beach fill, and seek reimbursement from
the state in 2010”.

“The protection of lives and property is the top priority with any discussion about a beach fill”, said Sea Isle
City Mayor Len Desiderio. “Anyone who takes a look at the beaches in Sea Isle City and Avalon fully
realizes that we cannot wait for the state or federal governments to come up with the funding that’s
needed. Together with our partners in Avalon, both communities can provide ample protection for the
2010 storm season, and provide a better recreational beach for the tens of thousands of visitors who come
to our communities for a vacation”.

Under the proposed interlocal agreement, both communities would evenly split the cost of mobilization for
a dredge that will conduct the beach fill. Each community will also pay for its share of sand that will be
placed on their beaches. Avalon is seeking a beach fill for its beaches between 9th and 26th Streets; Sea Isle
City is seeking a beach fill for beaches between 73rd and 93rd Streets. Avalon is hoping to place up to
600,000 cubic yards of sand on its beaches, while Sea Isle City will attempt to put up to 700,000 cubic
yards of sand onto its beaches. Officials from Avalon and Sea Isle City held a joint meeting on Saturday,
October 24th to discuss this proposed project. Both communities agreed to jointly bid out the project to
save on mobilization costs, which will result in more sand being placed onto the beaches.

This week, engineers are arranging a hydrographic survey to confirm the amount of sand available for the
beach project in the “borrow zone”, at Townsend’s Inlet. The latest survey that was conducted in that zone
during late summer indicated that there may already be enough sand that would accomplish both beach
fills. The “borrow zone” consists of sand that is the same size and texture of the sand already on local
beaches that would be a perfect match for any beach nourishment project. Both Avalon and Sea Isle City
will prepare their own specifications for the joint beach fill project. Officials in Avalon and Sea Isle City
would like to have the beach fill executed in the Spring, 2010.

“We have stated repeatedly throughout the year that sooner or later, the state’s reduction in the Beach
Protection Fund would put the coastline at risk, and result in local communities paying for the projects”,
said Pagliughi. “That time has arrived. We cannot ignore the risk to our communities and sit idly by as we
wait for help from the state and federal governments. The fight for a more sustainable funding
mechanism continues on both levels, and now it’s time for us to put our residents and properties first,
and do a beach fill ourselves”.

The state of New Jersey reduced the amount of funding in the Beach Protection fund by over $6 million in
the 2010 budget. During a meeting earlier last week with the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, Avalon officials were told that there is no money available in this year’s budget to help finance
this beach fill. Avalon is sending a letter to the NJDEP to explain this joint beach fill effort, and to allow
Avalon and Sea Isle City to seek a possible reimbursement in the 2011 fiscal year budget, which takes effect
after July 1, 2010.

Avalon received a beach fill courtesy of the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 2003, but the federal
government failed to follow up with additional beach fills on a three-year cycle and failed to do additional
fills in 2006, and again in 2009.

“This clearly shows the need to continue the fight for a stable source of beach funding on both the state
and federal levels”, Desiderio said. “Like our friends in Avalon, Sea Isle City has spent millions of its own
local dollars on various beach fill projects. This will be the first time either town has conducted a fill
without a specific state or federal sponsor. Doing a project together will bring expenses down, and result
in more sand on our beaches”.

Sea Isle City officials are expected to discuss this joint beach fill project during a council meeting on
Tuesday, October 27th. Avalon officials will discuss the project during their next meeting on Wednesday
evening, October 28th.

UPDATE: BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS TO BEGIN MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH

(Avalon, NJ)—Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster announced that a major bridge project on the Avalon Boulevard (County Road No. 601) Bridge will begin on Monday, October 26th. This bridge work is expected to result in traffic delays for motorists coming into, and leaving, Avalon.

The county is proceeding with a deck repair contract to address deteriorated concrete in the riding surface of the bridge, which crosses Ingrams Thorofare. Work is expected to begin on October 26th, and last for at least one week. The repairs to the bridge were delayed from the spring construction season so as not to interfere with a beach fill project.

The county reports that one lane of the bridge will typically be closed from 6:00am Mondays until 7:00pm Fridays. All traffic will alternate using the remaining open lane on the bridge through either the use of flaggers or temporary traffic signal system. The long lane closing periods will allow the use of high quality repair materials. Signs and variable message boards have been installed to alert motorists about the construction project.

AVALON POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN “OPERATION MEDICINE CABINET”

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Police Department announced that it will take part in a statewide program
designed to properly dispose of unused or out of date prescription medicine. The department will
participate in “Operation Medicine Cabinet”, which encourages residents to bring their unused and
unwanted prescription drugs to a central location for proper disposal.

“This is a great way to make sure that these drugs do not get into the hands of people who may abuse
them”, said Avalon Police Chief David Dean. “A recent study on drug use by New Jersey middle school
students conducted by the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey found in that in half of the schools
surveyed, prescription drugs are abused more than twice that of ecstasy and cocaine”.

Avalon residents will be encouraged to bring their unused and unwanted prescription drugs to the Avalon
Police Department on Saturday, November 14th, between 10am and 2pm.

A 2007 study by the National Study of Drug Use and Health found that 70% of people who abuse
prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends and relatives. Another study conducted by
PDFNJ found that 47% of the parents of middle school students know very little about prescription drug
abuse.

This “Operation Medicine Cabinet” initiative is the first of its kind in the nation. The statewide effort is
being spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division; the New Jersey Office
of the Attorney General; and the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey.

The Avalon Police Department is located at 3000 Dune Drive, in Avalon, NJ. For more information about
this statewide program, visit www.operationmedicinecabinetnj.com.Avalon Emergency Management officials say that parts of Ocean Avenue and Dune Drive are completely under water during the Sunday morning high tide, which took place shortly before 9:00am Sunday.