AVALON GARDEN CLUB HOLDS HUGE PLANT SALE AT COMMUNITY HALL
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Garden Club brought hundreds of people to the Avalon Community Hall over the weekend as it held a very popular two day plant sale. The sale was held inside Community Hall at 30th Street and the beach in Avalon on Friday and Saturday, May 13th and 14th.
The Avalon Garden Club sold many of its plants and flowers during this event with proceeds benefitting various beautification projects in the Borough of Avalon. The club participates in many beautification projects at many Borough facilities including the Grace O’Brien Park, Community Hall, Bay Park Marina, Avalon Free Public Library as well as the traffic islands on Dune Drive from 7th Street south to 80th Street.
The Avalon Garden Club will participate in the Avalon Memorial Day Parade scheduled for Sunday, May 30th. It will hold a flower show next month on June 11th. For more information about the Avalon Garden Club, please visit their website, www.avalongardenclub.org.
AVALON’S FREE KAYAK PARK OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
(Avalon, NJ)—With warmer weather in the forecast many shore residents and visitors are beginning to get out onto the water for exercise, relaxation, and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Avalon Kayak Park is providing an opportunity for kayaking enthusiasts to enjoy a safe and orderly location to temporarily store their kayaks when they are not in use.
“The response to the Avalon Kayak Park has been terrific”, said Avalon Public Works Superintendent Bill Macomber. “Our public works department constructed the new kayak storage racks to provide an orderly system to temporarily store kayaks while at the same time saving money by constructing the racks ourselves”.
The free Avalon Kayak Park is located on the northwest corner of 57th Street and Ocean Drive in Avalon. A total of 138 kayaks can be stored at the location. The Borough beautified the park with some landscaping elements to make the park aesthetically pleasing to the community. Previously, some kayak owners would leave their watercraft on the ground near the kayak launch site.
“This kayak park is another way the Borough of Avalon continues to be proactive with complete public access to our beachfront, bays, and waterways”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.
The Borough of Avalon does not require any permit or fee to use the kayak park. The park is used on a first come, first served basis. Use of the kayak racks is available from April 1st through October 1st, 2011. Kayak owners are reminded that their property must be removed from the kayak park before October 1st. It is highly recommended that locks be used to secure the kayaks to the racks when they are not in use. Signage located at the park notes the rules associated with use of the facility.
Anyone with questions regarding the Avalon Kayak Park can contact the Avalon Department of Recreation at (609) 967-3066.
AVALON POLICE PARTICIPATE IN “CLICK IT OR TICKET” CAMPAIGN Seat belt enforcement campaign runs May 23rd-June 5, 2011 in New Jersey
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Police Department will again participate in a statewide enforcement effort to remind motorists to buckle up and wear their safety belts. Avalon Police will be active in the “Click It or Ticket” campaign that runs from May 23rd through June 5th, 2011.
“The ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign is perfectly timed since it includes Memorial Day weekend, the official start of the summer tourism season”, said Avalon Police Chief David Dean. “The single most important act a driver and passenger in a motor vehicle can do is buckle up. Seat belts save lives”.
Research shows that using a seat belt is the simplest way for a driver and his or her passengers to protect themselves while travelling. Motor vehicle occupants who buckle up increase their chances of surviving a crash by as much as 75 percent. Last year, the front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey rose for the 14th consecutive year to 93.73 percent. In 2011, police around the state will remind drivers and passengers to buckle up even while riding in the back seat of a motor vehicle.
“Legislation requiring adult back seat passengers to buckle up became law last year”, Chief Dean said. “Unfortunately, new research shows that adult back seat belt use stands at only 27 percent. It is very important for drivers and passengers to recognize that seat belt use not only saves lives, but is the law in our state”.
In 2010, there were 554 motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey. A large percentage of those who were killed were not wearing a seat belt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 135,000 lives were saved by safety belt usage nationally between 1975 and 2000.
Last year’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign in New Jersey involved 406 police agencies. A total of 35,671 citations were handed out for seat belt violations. Nearly 600 drunk driving arrests were also made during this campaign.
AVALON HOLDS YARD SALE, PLANT/HOAGIE SALE, BIKE AUCTION
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon was buzzing with activity on Saturday, May 7th for several community events. Avalon held its Borough-wide yard sale in conjunction with the Avalon Garden Club while the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and ladies auxiliary held their popular hoagie sale and plant sale at the Avalon Public Safety Building. In addition, the Avalon Police Department held its very popular bicycle auction for the second consecutive year at the Avalon Department of Public Works.
Next weekend, on Saturday May 14th, the Avalon Department of Public Works will host the Borough’s first community wide paper shredding day between the hours of 9:00am-Noon at the 15th Street recycling center. Documents will be shredded on a first come, first served basis by A Safe Keeping document shredding. The event will be open to all Avalon residents and property owners and conducted free of charge.
Volunteer firefighters prepare hoagies for sale
Flowers on Sale by the Firehouse Auxiliary
Yard sale at Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children in Avalon
Bikes available at police bike auction
MULL-MORIAL WEEKEND COMES TO AVALON MAY 29TH
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon summer season begins on Memorial Day weekend with a very special event that will raise funds for an Avalon-based charitable organization. The “Mull-Morial Day Weekend” event will be held on Sunday, May 29th and include a 5K beach run along with a huge beef and beer following the race.
The Mull-Morial Day Weekend event is held each year to honor the memory of Matt Mullin, an Avalon summer resident who lost his life at the age of 26 in April, 2009. Matt was very well known in the Avalon community and his generosity and spirit is felt everyday by family, friends, and Avalon residents who spent time with him. Matt also served the Borough of Avalon as a lifeguard for seven summers.
The 5K beach run will be held on Sunday, May 29th, at 8:30am. Registration will be held at the Avalon Community Center at 30th Street and the beach on race day. Pre-registration for the race is available online at www.mattymullin.com. The fee for the race is $25 which includes race timing, race t-shirt and post race refreshments.
Following the run the Mull-Morial Day Weekend continues with a beef and beer event at Jack’s Place on Ocean Drive in Avalon. The event begins at 6:00pm with live music and a DJ. Hundreds of Avalon residents and visitors attended the beef and beer last year.
This year’s Mull-Morial Weekend events will raise funds for an Avalon organization called “Friend In Need”, which raises money to help local individuals and families who are in need in the greater Avalon area. “Friend In Need” is comprised of Avalon volunteers who hold special events to raise money for families who find themselves in a financial crisis due to a sudden emergency or health issue. Each year, “Friend In Need” holds a very popular Super Bash party during the NFL championship game that largely supports these efforts. The organization was founded by Avalon residents in 2003.
The Borough of Avalon and the Avalon Environmental Commission conducted the annual dune grass planting event in dunes along the Avalon beachfront on Saturday, April 30th. Dozens of volunteers planted new dune grass between 32nd Street-40th Street to enhance, strengthen, and beautify the Avalon dune system.
Dr Brian Reynolds and volunteers.
Except to plant dune grass of course
Kids get into the act in Avalon Dune Grass Planting
Kids pose while mom works at dune grass planting
Making sure the dune grass is ready.
DREDGE “ILLINOIS” ARRIVES IN AVALON FOR MASSIVE BEACH FILL
The dredge “Illinois” arrived in Avalon on Saturday morning, April 30th to begin a three-week long beach nourishment effort in the community. Nearly 450,000 cubic yards of sand will be dredged from Townsend’s Inlet and placed on the Avalon beachfront starting at 8th Street and moving south to 30th Street. The project is being conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The beach fill project in Avalon is expected to conclude before Memorial Day weekend before the operation moves to Stone Harbor. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company LLC of Illinois is contracted to do the project. Sand will be placed on the Avalon beachfront 24 hours a day until the project is completed.
Dredge Illinois sits off the Avalon shoreline Saturday April 30
Fishermen watch the Illinois move into position
AVALON TO HONOR MILITARY HEROES DURING MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, CEREMONY
Keynote speaker set up fund to assist our troops who are serving overseas
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon will pay tribute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country during a special Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday, May 30th. A parade will begin at 9:00am at 34th Street and Dune Drive with a ceremony to follow at Veterans Plaza at 21st Street and Dune Drive.
“Memorial Day weekend is not only the official start of the summer tourism season in Avalon but it also provides an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives while protecting our freedom”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Our parade and ceremony includes participation of men and women who served our country, and we are honored to thank them for their exemplary service”.
This year’s featured speaker at the Avalon Memorial Day Ceremony will be Mary Conboy. Mrs. Conboy is from Pennsylvania and is responsible for honoring her son’s last request by initiating “Operation Bedding”, which provides comforts of home for soldiers who are serving our country overseas.
On a Sunday morning in 2006, Mary Conboy received a telephone call from her son, Adam Conboy who served in the United States Marines in Iraq. Adam requested some basic supplies from home, including pillows and other items. Adam was quick to point out to his mother that whatever she sent had to be in multiples of 40 since there were 40 soldiers in his platoon. Adam joked with his mother to “get Operation Bedding going” for the men and women who were serving overseas. Five days later, Adam Conboy was killed in Iraq on May 12th, 2006.
Mary Conboy started the Adam C. Conboy Memorial Fund which initiated “Operation Bedding”. The mission statement of the fund is to enhance the quality of life of all military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan by sending comforts of home to their remote locations. To date, “Operation Bedding” has sent nearly 10,000 boxes of these comfort items to our troops. Mary Conboy’s efforts have received coverage from “People” magazine, the “Dr. Phil” television program, and many media outlets in the Delaware Valley region.
Some of the typical supplies that are included in boxes sent overseas from “Operation Bedding” include eye drops, pillows, bug spray, wash cloths, baby wipes, razors, tooth brushes, tooth paste, power bars, hard candy, gum, and moisture lotion. To learn more on how you can support “Operation Bedding” please visit www.adamconboymemorialfund.org.
The parade will line up at 8:45am at the Methodist Church at 34th and Dune Drive and will begin promptly at 9:00am, proceeding north on Dune Drive to the Avalon Veterans Plaza, located at 21st Street. In the event of rain, the parade will be cancelled but the ceremony will still take place inside at the Avalon Community Hall, at 30th Street and the Beach.
Avalon’s Borough Council and various officials will be attending the event. The ceremony will include American Legion Post #331, along with police, fire, and rescue equipment from Avalon and Stone Harbor. The ceremony also includes a flag-raising, gun salute, and the formal presentation of wreaths in memory of those men and women of the armed forces who have given their lives for our country.
AVALON TO HOLD BULK TRASH PICKUP STARTING MAY 9TH
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon will hold the first of two bulk trash pickup events during the second week of May. Avalon Department of Public Works Director Bill Macomber reminds all Avalon property owners that bulk trash items can be set out from Friday, April 29th through Sunday, May 8th. Pick up will begin after 7:00am on Monday, May 9th. Construction and remodeling materials are not collected at any time.
If you have any questions regarding Avalon’s bulk trash pickup, please call the Avalon Department of Public Works at (609) 967-7697 Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00am and 3:30pm.
The Borough will hold a second bulk trash pickup on September 12th.
As a reminder, the Avalon Department of Public Works will also hold a special community wide paper shredding day on Saturday, May 14th. The event will be held between the hours of 9:00am and 12 Noon at the Public Works building on 15th Street and Dune Drive. The paper shredding day is free and available to Avalon residents and property owners. Kindly limit your papers to two boxes equivalent to the size of two boxes of photo copy paper. Only paper products will be accepted.
AVALON GARDEN CLUB HOLDS ARBOR DAY CEREMONY
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Garden Club kept with tradition and held its annual Arbor Day ceremony on Friday, April 29th at the Grace O’Brien Park in the community. Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi was on hand to help plant a new Crape Myrtle tree at the park, located at 8th Street and Ocean Drive in Avalon. Members of Avalon Borough Council, the Avalon Environmental Commission and the public attended the event.
Lagerstroemi, commonly known as the Crape Myrtle, is a genus of around 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and Oceania, cultivated in warmer climates around the world. The genus is named after the Swedish merchant Magnus von Lagerstrom, who supplied Carolus Linnaeus with plants he collected. The leaves are opposite, simple, with entire margins and vary from two to eight inches. The leaves of temperate species provide autumn color.
Arbor Day was first proposed in Nebraska in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton who presented the idea of planting trees in the state to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world.
The Avalon Garden Club will be involved in many events during the months of May and June in the Borough. On May 7th, the club will host the 17th Annual Yard Sale in Avalon, starting at 9:00am. The club will also host its very popular plant sale on Friday and Saturday, May 13th and 14th inside Avalon Community Hall, at 30th Street and the beach.
For more information on the Avalon Garden Club, visit their website www.avalongardenclub.org.
Wine and Spirits Festival set For May 6 in Avalon
The Avalon Chamber of Commerce and Fred’s Avalon Liquor Store will be holding the sixth annual Wine and Spirits Festival on May 6th , 6:30 to 9PM at the Avalon Community Center, 30th Street and Avalon avenue. This event has become more popular each year as a great way to start Mother’s Day weekend.
Over 200 wines from around the world will be offered by area distributors and a flavored Vodka tasting will also be offered to guests. In addition to the spirits being sampled, food from the best area eateries will also be provided.
To date, food donations for the event are being supplied by many of the islands great eateries including: Avalon Coffee, Avalon Market, Avalon Seafood, Bobby Dee’s Rock’n Chair, Bud’s Market, Café Loren, Circle Pizza, Diving Horse, Fuze, Jay’s on Third, Maggie’s, Oceanside Seafood, Pudgie Pelican, Real Enchilada, Seaglass Restaurant, Seven Mile Island Deli, Shorebreak Pizza & Grill, Tortilla Flats, Tonio’s Seafood Shack, Uncle Bill’s, WaWa and the Windrift.
In addition to the wines, vodkas and great food, the event will also have a silent auction. Many of the wonderful businesses on Seven Mile Island have contributed everything from a beautiful carpet and wine glasses to salon services and private Pilates sessions. Over 30 items will be offered for the silent auction.
The chamber has started something new for this year’s event. It’s The Realtor’s Club. All the realtors on the island have been asked to make a donation that will be used to put together wine baskets for the auction and to decorate the community center with flowers.
All attendees will be given a program acknowledging the contributors. The back of the program provides ample space for each to list their favorite spirits.
The Avalon Chamber of Commerce will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to handle requests for tickets. Tickets purchased prior to the event will be $35.00. Tickets purchased at the door will be $40.00. Tickets can also be purchased at Fred’s Liquor Store, 2258 Dune Drive. This event promises to be a grand time. For additional information call the Avalon Chamber at 967-3936 or go to avalonbeach.com.
AVALON POLICE PROMOTE THREE, ADD TWO NEW PATROLMEN
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Police Department promoted three officers and added two new officers during the Wednesday, April 27th council meeting.
Mayor Martin Pagliughi swore in three officers to the rank of Patrol Sergeants. The new Patrol Sergeants are Craig Smith, Michael Paluch, and Jeffrey Christopher.
Two new Probationary Patrolmen were also sworn in by Mayor Pagliughi. They are Justin Miller, and Stephen Bowers.
Mayor-Pagliughi-and-Jeffrey-Christopher
Mayor-Pagliughi-and-Michael-Paluch-and-his-family
Mayor-Pagliughi-congratulates-Craig-Smith
Mayor-Pagliughi-swears-in-Stephen-Bowers
Chief-Dean-pins-Justin-Miller
AVALON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE TO HOLD SPECIAL EVENTS MAY 7TH Events to be held in conjunction with Avalon’s Borough-wide yard sale
(Avalon, NJ)—The public safety sector in the Borough of Avalon will be busy on Saturday, May 7th with various events that will be held in conjunction with the Borough’s community-wide yard sale. Both the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department and the Avalon Police Department will be holding special sale and auction events in the community.
The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department will be holding its very popular hoagie sale on May 7th, starting promptly at 10:00am. The hoagie sale will last until 3:00pm, or until hoagies last. The hoagie sale has become so popular in Avalon that the department plans on making hundreds of additional hoagies this year. The Italian hoagies will be on sale at the front of the Avalon Fire House, located at 3100 Dune Drive in Avalon.
In conjunction with the hoagie sale, the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will be holding its annual plant sale on May 7th. The plant sale gets underway at 8:00am and lasts until 3:00pm. There will be a large variety of plants available for sale during the event which will also be held in front of the firehouse.
Proceeds from both the hoagie and plant sales support the general public safety efforts conducted by the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department.
The Avalon Police Department will also be participating in a special event on May 7th. The public is invited to the second annual bicycle auction which will be held outside at the Avalon Department of Public Works located at 13th Street and Dune Drive in Avalon. The bicycle auction begins promptly at 11:00am, with an on-site preview of the bicycles available at 10:00am.
“Last year’s bicycle auction was a big success and a lot of fun for the Avalon community”, said Avalon Police Captain and “auctioneer” William McCormick. “The auction provides an opportunity for the public to obtain used bicycles that were abandoned or discarded in the Borough over the past year”. All bicycles are sold in “as is” condition. Revenue derived from the bicycle auction goes towards public safety initiatives by the Avalon Police Department.
These two events are being held in conjunction with one of the biggest events in the spring in Avalon. The Borough of Avalon’s 17th annual Borough-wide yard sale sponsored by the Avalon Garden Club will be held on Saturday, May 7th, from 9:00am until 3:00pm. The event will be held rain or shine. The authorization fee for a property to participate in the yard sale is ten dollars, with proceeds going towards beautification projects in the Borough conducted by the Avalon Garden Club.
Avalon residents are reminded that any unsold items from the yard sale can be left curbside for bulk trash pickup. Items must be curbside by Monday, May 9th, no later than 7:00am.
The Ocean Drive (CR 619) Bridge over Townsends Inlet between the Borough of Avalon and the City of Sea Isle City will be closed from 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 21 st until 6 a.m. on Friday, April 22 nd in order to clean and paint a portion of the movable span. The closure of the bridge and the raising of the movable span are required to provide access to the main girders that are inaccessible when the movable span is in the closed position.
This overnight closure is one of possibly three overnight closures required to complete the cleaning and painting of the main girders. Under the first closure, Allied Painting, Inc. will remove grease, old paint and rust so as to clean the steel surfaces down to bare metal. Before the bridge reopens to traffic, a primer will be applied to the clean surfaces.
Sometime next week, depending on weather conditions, Allied Painting will close the bridge overnight to apply the remaining coats of paint on the main girder.
Allied Painting, Inc. of Cherry Hill, NJ is performing this work under a $4,303,440 construction contract to clean and paint two Cape May County Bridge Commission bridges. This project is funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Re-Investment Act.
Allied Painting, Inc. is nearing completion of their work on the Townsends Inlet Bridge. Approximately one more month of work remains to be completed at the Ocean Drive (CR 619) Bridge over Grassy Sound, the other bridge being cleaned and painted under the economic stimulus program.
COASTAL FLOOD WARNING POSTED FOR AVALON ON SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 16TH
(Avalon, NJ)—The National Weather Service has posted a Coastal Flood Warning for the Borough of Avalon and other communities for the high tide event on Saturday evening, April 16th. High tide will take place at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge at 7:31pm Saturday. Moderate coastal flooding is expected during this high tide which will produce tides around 8.0 feet above mean low water. In addition, a High Wind Advisory is in effect until midnight for strong gusty winds approaching 50mph.
A storm front will continue to push over the region Saturday into Saturday evening which will bring occasional rain and gusty winds. Thunderstorms are also possible. The winds will keep waters in the back bay which are expected to aggravate the high tide event Saturday evening.
The Avalon Office of Emergency Management issues the following advisories:
*If you live in a part of Avalon that typically floods, please move your vehicle to higher ground. Please do not park your vehicle on traffic islands or on local bridges.
*Please do not attempt to drive through any flood waters Saturday evening. By attempting to drive through a flooded street you put yourself, your vehicle, and emergency personnel in harm’s way.
*If you have any questions, please call the Avalon Police Department at 967-3411; if you have an emergency, please dial 911.
*Loose objects may become projectiles during this storm. Please sure any loose objects like trash cans and patio furniture.
Updates will be available on AM Radio 1630 in Avalon, on the Borough’s website, www.avalonboro.org, and on the Borough of Avalon’s Facebook page. It is likely the Borough will also issue a Global Connect Reverse 911 emergency phone call on Saturday.
AVALON MAYOR, COUNCIL RECOGNIZE PROMOTIONS AT AVALON POLICE DEPARTMENT
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and the Avalon Borough Council recognized recent promotions at the Avalon Police Department during the Wednesday, April 13th council meeting. Two members of the police department were sworn in to their new positions by Mayor Pagliughi before council, fellow police officers, family and friends. Three additional promotions will be acknowledged during the April 27th council meeting.
“I’m very proud of these individuals for their years of exemplary service to our community and congratulate them on their accomplishments”, Pagliughi said. “The Avalon Police Department is very fortunate to have well trained, highly capable individuals who deservedly achieved these promotions in the ranks of the department”.
The following individuals were sworn in to their new positions at the Avalon Police Department by Mayor Pagliughi during the April 13th council meeting:
*Patrolman Frank Hood to Administrative Sergeant
*Detective Joseph Gaughan to Detective Sergeant
In addition, these three promotions are scheduled to occur at the April 27th council meeting:
*Patrolman Michael Paluch to Patrol Sergeant
*Patrolman Jeffrey Christopher to Patrol Sergeant
*Patrolman Craig Smith to Patrol Sergeant
The Avalon Police Department acknowledges the retirements of five of its senior members. The recent retirees include Administrative Sergeant David Lutes, Detective Sergeant Benjamin Gery, Sergeant George Vogelei, Sergeant William McDevitt, and Sergeant Alan Gombar. Gery, Lutes, and Vogelei were recognized for their achievements during the Avalon Home and Land Owners’ “Community Connections” event on Saturday, April 9th.
Mayor Pagliughi also swore in two new probationary patrolmen, William Robinson and Zachary Saduk.
AVALON RESIDENTS SAVE OVER $700,000
ON FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS Borough’s extraordinary Class 6 rating from FEMA results in huge savings
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon learned this week that residents will be saving over $700,000 in flood insurance premiums thanks to the community’s high “Class 6” rating provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Avalon is among only a few communities along the entire East Coast of the United States that has earned the very favorable rating by FEMA, resulting in generous savings on flood insurance policies.
“We met with FEMA on Monday, April 4th and learned that the Borough of Avalon is saving its residents $718,295 in flood insurance premiums”, said Sal DeSimone, Avalon’s Certified Flood Plain Manager. “This is a direct result of the leadership of Mayor Marty Pagliughi and the Avalon Borough Council for taking numerous proactive measures to prevent flooding in the community. This hard work and attention to detail results in insurance savings that most coastal communities do not enjoy”.
FEMA officials met with DeSimone and officially informed the Borough that Avalon experienced a big two-year jump in savings on flood insurance policies. Two years ago, Borough residents enjoyed a savings of approximately $544,000; that figure has increased by $174,000 over a two year period. The Borough of Avalon currently receives a 20 percent reduction in flood insurance premiums for its residents thanks to its ambitious flood prevention program.
“More Avalon residents have taken out flood insurance on their properties”, DeSimone explained. “An increased number of policies results in increased savings for the community. On the average, every Avalon resident saves $136 per year on flood insurance thanks to the efforts of mayor and council”.
FEMA reports that Avalon currently has 5,287 policies in the National Flood Insurance Program. The annual premium for the Borough is $3,107,794. The reduction in premiums for 2010 totals $718,295. Avalon ranks fifth in the entire state of New Jersey in total savings; the four communities ahead of Avalon have much higher populations and more properties in the program. Flood policies are required in Avalon for any property that carries a mortgage.
On behalf of the Borough, DeSimone holds various classes throughout the year as part of an outreach program designed to educate taxpayers, realtors, builders and architects on how the National Flood Insurance Program works. During a recent meeting in northern New Jersey, federal officials specifically recognized Avalon for its proactive outreach efforts.
The Borough will continue to strive for an even higher designation that may result in 25 percent savings for residents on their flood insurance premiums. The Borough continues work on a model “Flood Plain Building Permit” that would better regulate new construction.
NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL
GAME HAS AVALON CONNECTION Notre Dame’s Mary Forr worked at Diller Home in Avalon for the past three summers
(Avalon, NJ)—Volunteers with the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children in Avalon paid extra attention to the NCAA women’s college basketball championship game on Tuesday evening, April 5th. One of the camp counselors at the home, Mary Forr, suited up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish when they squared off against
Texas A&M in Indianapolis. Texas A&M won the championship game, 76-70.
“We could not be more proud of Mary’s academic and athletic accomplishments at Notre Dame University”, said Avalon Councilman and Avalon Lions Club volunteer Joseph Tipping. “Avalon residents paid close attention to Notre Dame’s remarkable run in the post season and we were excited to see such a dynamic, bright young woman like Mary being a part of it”.
Forr was officially added to the Notre Dame varsity basketball roster during the 2010-2011 basketball season. Forr previously spent parts of three seasons as part of Notre Dame’s “Sixth Man” team, which is a practice squad for the varsity team. Forr was also named as the 2009 Notre Dame RecSports Female Athlete of the Year after she won a total of 11 individual/team intramural championships while attending Notre Dame.
Forr played in 20 games for the Fighting Irish during the basketball season, logging 95 minutes of game action. She scored a total of 29 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and two blocked shots.
During the summers of 2008-2010, Forr worked as a camp counselor at the Diller Home. Her duties included planning, adapting, and supervising camp activities, and the general care of campers. Her future plans include teaching in a Georgia high school while obtaining a Master’s degree in Education, and then pursuing law school.
“The Diller Home was very fortunate to have Mary work as a counselor over the past three summers”, said Jen Layton, Camp Director for the Home. “Everyone at the Home is thankful for her service and efforts, and we wish Mary all of the best as she pursues her professional career as an educator”.
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children provides a free week-long vacation to visually-impaired children between the ages of seven and 15. Each camp experience for the children is from a Saturday to the following Saturday, starting in the middle of June until the middle of August. This summer marks the 39th consecutive year the Home has provided free vacations to the campers thanks to generous donations from the Avalon Lions Club, Tim Kerr Charities, and the greater Avalon community. Throughout the summer campers are offered a wide variety of fun and educational programs along with field trips. The Bay-Atlantic Symphony, which calls Avalon its “summer home”, provides a learning series for the children at the Home.
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children is located at 127 26th Street in Avalon. For more information, please visit www.dillerblindhome.org.
AVALON TO PRESENT FIRST COMMUNITY PAPER SHREDDING DAY
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon will present its first community-wide paper shredding day event on Saturday, May 14th, from 9:00am until 12 Noon. The event will be held at the Avalon Department of Public Works’ recycling center, located at 15th Street and Dune Drive. The rain date for the event will be Saturday, May 21st.
“We are proud to be able to offer this as a community service to the residents and property owners in Avalon”, said Bill Macomber, Director of the Avalon Department of Public Works. “This program comes as a free service to the Borough since it’s completely financed by a recycling grant courtesy of the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority as a reward for our proactive recycling efforts”.
“A Safe Keeping”, a document shredding company located in Lower Township, will bring its special truck to Avalon to shred any paper documents that residents want to destroy. Every individual who attends the event will be allowed to bring up to two boxes of documents; the boxes should be the size of a typical “file box” of photocopy paper. The “A Safe Keeping” truck can handle between 4,200-4,500 pounds of paper before it must be taken offshore to be emptied. Customers will be taken on a first come, first served basis starting at 9:00am. Documents that are shredded will be taken to a center where they will be combined with other shredded documents and taken to a recycling center.
“A Safe Keeping” is a member of the National Association of Information Destruction and a member of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce. Since this is a Borough-wide effort, certificates of destruction will not be offered to each participant in the community wide shredding event.
Any personal or business-related paper products that may contain staples or paperclips will be accepted. Items that will not be accepted include all electronic media, such as compact discs, zip drives, USB drives, audio and video products, and x-rays.
“The Avalon Police Department has encouraged residents and visitors to be aware of the dangers of identity theft by protecting bank statements and other documents that have personal information, including account numbers”, said Avalon Police Chief David Dean. “We support this effort and encourage residents and property owners to take advantage of this proactive opportunity”.
The Avalon Recycling Center will be open for customer convenience on the day of the community-wide paper shredding event from 9:00am until 1:00pm.
BOROUGH, GARDEN CLUB TEAM UP FOR 17TH ANNUAL AVALON YARD SALE
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon’s 17th annual Borough-wide yard sale sponsored by the Avalon Garden Club will be held on Saturday, May 7th, from 9:00am until 3:00pm. The event will be held rain or shine. The authorization fee for a property to participate in the yard sale is ten dollars, with proceeds going towards beautification projects in the Borough conducted by the Avalon Garden Club.
Residents who would like to participate in the Avalon Yard Sale may pick up an application form available at Avalon’s branch of Sturdy Savings Bank at 2628 Dune Drive in Avalon or at any real estate office in Avalon. Participants may mail the ten dollar authorization fee to the Avalon Garden Club, P.O. Box 43, Avalon, NJ 08202 before May 4th.
On the day of the yard sale, maps will be available at the Avalon Community Hall for free that detail the locations throughout the Borough. Posters will also be displayed in the front yards of Avalon property owners who are participating in the yard sale event. Participants in the yard sale may call in advance to obtain a poster, either (609) 368-1114 or (609) 967-3446.
Avalon residents are reminded that any unsold items from the yard sale can be left curbside for bulk trash pickup. Items must be curbside by Monday, May 9th, no later than 7:00am.
AVALON RESCUE SQUAD CHIEF PROVIDES UPDATE TO AVALON LIONS CLUB
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Rescue Squad Chief Kevin Scarpa recently provided an update on emergency services and 2011 projects to the Avalon Lions Club. Scarpa addressed the members during the club’s recent dinner meeting on March 17th at the Golden Inn.
“I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the rescue squad services and long-term goals to the Avalon Lions Club”, Scarpa said. “The Avalon Lions Club provides an outstanding level of community service to the Avalon community and all of our squad members deeply appreciate their support and efforts throughout the years”.
Scarpa outlined the squad’s many services and benefits provided to the Borough. The Avalon Rescue Squad is staffed with emergency medical technicians around the clock funded by the Borough of Avalon. By providing this full staffing, response times are greatly reduced and there is no charge to the user for ambulance services. Emergency medical technicians employed by Avalon are required to take four times the number of continuing education courses annually than the state of New Jersey requires.
During his presentation, Scarpa also announced that the Avalon Rescue Squad will be purchasing a new ambulance in the near future. This will come at no expense to Avalon taxpayers; all funding for the purchase has been raised through donations. “The squad is humbled by the amount of continued support from the community”, Scarpa said. “The generosity of Avalon residents allows us to provide an extraordinarily high level of emergency medical services to residents and visitors throughout the year”.
Maintenance costs for a squad ambulance that dates back to 1998 have continued to rise necessitating the need for a new ambulance. The squad has determined that a replacement vehicle is needed with an estimated cost of $150,000. Scarpa maintains that the squad will continue to rely on donations to finance training, medical supplies, and new equipment.
AVALON INSTALS NEW SYSTEM TO PROTECT TURTLES ON AVALON BOULEVARD
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Department of Public Works has installed brand new tubing along Avalon Boulevard to provide greater protection and safety for adult female diamondback terrapin turtles. The new tubing will prevent the turtles from a dangerous crossing across the boulevard during their nesting season.
“This new system to protect the terrapins comes with the consent and the advice of the Wetlands Institute in Middle Township”, said Avalon Director of Public Works Bill Macomber. “This new tube system lasts longer, looks better, and conserves the terrapins along Avalon Boulevard”.
Scientists who work at the Wetlands Institute conducted a comprehensive research program into what type of system works most effectively for the protection of the terrapins. The institute has created its own webpage, http://wetlandsinstitute.org/research/a-guide-for-building-terrapin-barriers-and-fences to discuss the various options available to shore communities for this conservation effort. Dr. John Cuthbert, an Avalon resident; Dan McLaughlin, the Research and Conservation Coordinator for the institute; and Dr. Roger Wood, Research Director at the institute, recommended the new tubing system for the boulevard following a test project in 2010 at the site of the Avalon greenhouse on 39th Street. The tubing was placed on that site with turtles as an experiment.
According to the institute, every nesting season (late May through July), hundreds of adult diamondback terrapins are killed on roads crossing or adjacent to salt marshes in southern New Jersey. The institute has learned through seven years of research that different types of fencing installed along these roadways significantly reduce the number of terrapin deaths resulting from passing vehicles.
Avalon is using black corrugated plastic drainage pipe as a barrier for the terrapins. Research at the institute showed that even the largest terrapins were unable to scale and climb over the drainage pipe. The system was tested in Margate in 2010 as over 7,000 feet of pipe was installed along the Margate Causeway. This pipe provided an excellent source of protection for the terrapins in that community. This type of protective fencing has a much lower profile than other types of turtle fencing and pedestrian-induced damage to the fencing is insignificant.
The pipe is expected to remain in place throughout the year, but sections may have to be removed at times during a county construction project along the boulevard in the fall. The Cape May County Engineer’s office has approved this conservation project along the boulevard. The Avalon Department of Public Works will be responsible for its maintenance. The cost of the project is largely financed by funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
PHOTO RELEASE: AVALON WATER TOWER PROJECT CONTINUES
(Avalon, NJ)—What is that structure wrapped up on 39th Street and Dune Drive in Avalon? It’s one of the two water towers in the Borough of Avalon.
Construction crews continue work on a major rehabilitation of the water tower at 39th Street. The tower is currently secured and wrapped as major work on the outside of the water tower is completed. The tower is being repaired and repainted to extend the service life of the tower. A similar project was conducted on the Borough’s other tower in the north end of the community.
This rehabilitation work is expected to conclude in four to six weeks.
ALL SYSTEMS GO: MASSIVE BEACH FILL
PROJECT TO BEGIN IN APRIL
270,000 cubic yards of sand to be placed on 16th- 31st street beaches
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi announced that the Borough of Avalon will receive a very significant beach fill project during spring of 2011 that will result in a protective and recreational beach for 2011. It is anticipated that this beach fill project will begin during the second week of April and will conclude before Memorial Day weekend before the dredge moves to Stone Harbor for a beach fill project in that community.
“The federal and state governments will be financing most of this beach fill”, Pagliughi said. “In difficult economic times, this is tremendous news for residents and homeowners in Avalon. We will be getting one of our largest beach fills in recent years at a very minimal cost to the Borough”.
Under this plan, the United States Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a beach fill project in both Avalon and neighboring Stone Harbor. Avalon is scheduled to receive 270,000 cubic yards of sand that will be placed on the Borough’s beachfront between 16th and 31st streets. The total anticipated cost to the Borough will be in the neighborhood of only $121,250.
The Army Corps will conduct an “emergency” federal project that will result in 120,000 cubic yards of sand to be placed on the Borough’s north-end beaches. This part of the beach fill comes at no expense to the Borough; it is being entirely financed by the federal government. The second part of this effort is a re-nourishment of the Borough’s beachfront that will result in 150,000 cubic yards of additional sand being placed on Avalon’s beaches. The federal, state, and local governments all partner in the costs associated with that part of the beach fill. The end result will be a new beach in Avalon with little expense to Borough government.
“Avalon certainly needs this beach fill project in the north end of our community”, Pagliughi said. “We have been able to successfully negotiate a very favorable project for Avalon that results in the Borough financing less than four percent of the overall costs of this big project”.
The beach fill project went out to bid during the winter. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company LLC of Illinois was the successful bidder for the project. A pre-construction meeting involving officials from both Avalon and Stone Harbor will be held at the Avalon Firehouse on Monday, April 4th at 10:00am. It is possible the dredge that will conduct this beach fill will arrive in Avalon on or about April 9th. By contract, the beach fill project in both Avalon and Stone Harbor must be completed within a 90-day time frame. This project will result in a hydraulic dredge removing sand from a “borrow area” in Townsend’s Inlet and depositing it onto Avalon’s beachfront. It is anticipated that Avalon will get its beach fill first, and Stone Harbor will go second.
The Borough of Avalon and the Army Corps of Engineers have been cooperatively studying the feasibility of a back passing project that could contribute to a long-term solution to the erosion problem on Avalon’s north end beaches and dunes. Sand that is eroded from the north end beaches and deposited on the south end beaches in Avalon would be “back passed” to the north end beaches. The federal government has been working with Avalon on the potential for back passing on Avalon’s beachfront.
AVALON KICKS OFF
2011 GREATER AVALON FISHING TOURNAMENT
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon has kicked off its 2011 Greater Avalon Fishing Tournament. The tournament encourages residents and visitors to drop their lines in the water and enjoy a summer of fishing.
“The Greater Avalon Fishing Tournament has been a lot of fun for hundreds of participants for many years”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Recreational fishing is such an important part of our tourism economy, and Avalon is proud to support it with this free fishing tournament every year”.
There are nine different “catch” categories in this year’s tournament, which is free and open to the public. Official entry cards are available at four local marinas: Smuggler’s Cove, Moran’s Dockside Marina, Anchorage Marina, and Hodge Podge. Any angler who catches a fish and wishes to enter it in the tournament simply has to bring the fish to the official weight master at any of the four locations. A pre-stamped registration card will be provided. Once it is filled out and dropped in the mail, the catch is officially entered in the tournament.
Winners in nine categories will receive an engraved plaque that includes their name, winning catch, and official Avalon logo. In addition, winners in select categories will each get a complimentary four-hour fishing trip aboard the “Miss Avalon”, compliments of Capt. Jerry Hurd. Every angler who enters the tournament will receive a tournament recognition certificate suitable for framing.
The tournament will end on December 15th, 2011 and winners will be notified in January, 2012. If you have any questions or need further information, call Sue Keen in the mayor’s office at (609) 967-5924 or visit www.avalonboro.org.
AVALON RECREATION TO HOLD EASTER EGG HUNT APRIL 23RD
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Department of Recreation is getting ready for one of its most popular events of the spring season. The Borough’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 23rd, at 10:00am.
The Avalon Easter Egg Hunt traditionally attracts hundreds of children from the greater Avalon area who search for eggs on two different ball fields. Children between the ages five and under will search for eggs on the 8th Street playground in Avalon. Children between the ages of six and nine years old will be on the 10th Street field, on the north side of the bathroom area. Children between the ages of nine and 12 years old will also be on the 10th Street field, south of the bathroom area.
No pre-registration for the Easter Egg Hunt is required. However, parents are encouraged to be on time with their children because the event begins promptly at 10:00am. In the event of heavy rain or other foul weather, the Easter Egg Hunt will be cancelled and not rescheduled. The event is free and open to the public.
If you have any questions about the Avalon Easter Egg Hunt, please contact the Avalon Department of Recreation at (609) 967-3066.
AVALON BEGINS EXPERIMENTAL WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
New sod for Avalon traffic islands
Preparing 39th Street traffic island
Preparing the soil on the 39th Street traffic island
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon has begun an experimental program on three separate traffic islands on Dune Drive.
The program will help determine the cost and effectiveness of three different irrigation technologies. Traffic islands from 39th Street north to 37th Street are being prepared this week for the program, which will run through the spring and summer months.
“We are very excited to get this innovative program underway in the Borough”, said Jim Collins, Chairman of the Avalon Green Team. “We are fortunate to have community partners who are donating their time, labor, and services in this experiment which is getting attention from as far away as California”.
Three different irrigation technologies will be tested during this program. At the 39th Street traffic island, new sod is being installed and the traditional spray irrigation system that has been used for years will remain. At the 38th Street traffic island, new sod is being installed along with a “smart irrigation” system. And at the 37th Street traffic island new topsoil, sod, and a drip irrigation system will be used. Water use will be carefully monitored and recorded through the spring and summer of 2011 to determine how much water is used and the effectiveness of each specific irrigation system.
The Borough has received generous participation from private companies who are financing a majority of this project. The Avalon Department of Public works will assist with the project and provide constant monitoring of the traffic islands to determine which system works the best, and uses the least amount of water. Community volunteers will also systematically photograph and video the islands for evaluation purposes.
“This is the first of its kind irrigation experiment along the East Coast of the United States”, Collins said. “This is truly a real time water use experiment conducted under real weather conditions. The end result of this scientific study should result in long-term water use savings and water conservation for the Borough of Avalon”.
Photographs: The 39th Street traffic island on Dune Drive in Avalon was the first to be prepared for this experiment. Landscapers and public works officials prepared the island for new sod on Tuesday, February 15th. Much of the preparation work for the three traffic islands is expected to be concluded by Friday, February 18th.
“The response to the Avalon Kayak Park has been terrific”, said Avalon Public Works Superintendent Bill Macomber. “Our public works department constructed the new kayak storage racks to provide an orderly system to temporarily store kayaks while at the same time saving money by constructing the racks ourselves”.
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon summer season begins on Memorial Day weekend with a very special event that will raise funds for an Avalon-based charitable organization. The “Mull-Morial Day Weekend” event will be held on Sunday, May 29th and include a 5K beach run along with a huge beef and beer following the race.
This year’s featured speaker at the Avalon Memorial Day Ceremony will be Mary Conboy. Mrs. Conboy is from Pennsylvania and is responsible for honoring her son’s last request by initiating “Operation Bedding”, which provides comforts of home for soldiers who are serving our country overseas.
The parade will line up at 8:45am at the Methodist Church at 34th and Dune Drive and will begin promptly at 9:00am, proceeding north on Dune Drive to the Avalon Veterans Plaza, located at 21st Street. In the event of rain, the parade will be cancelled but the ceremony will still take place inside at the Avalon Community Hall, at 30th Street and the Beach.
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Garden Club kept with tradition and held its annual Arbor Day ceremony on Friday, April 29th at the Grace O’Brien Park in the community. Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi was on hand to help plant a new Crape Myrtle tree at the park, located at 8th Street and Ocean Drive in Avalon. Members of Avalon Borough Council, the Avalon Environmental Commission and the public attended the event.
(Avalon, NJ)—Volunteers with the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children in Avalon paid extra attention to the NCAA women’s college basketball championship game on Tuesday evening, April 5th. One of the camp counselors at the home, Mary Forr, suited up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish when they squared off against
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Department of Public Works has installed brand new tubing along Avalon Boulevard to provide greater protection and safety for adult female diamondback terrapin turtles. The new tubing will prevent the turtles from a dangerous crossing across the boulevard during their nesting season.
According to the institute, every nesting season (late May through July), hundreds of adult diamondback terrapins are killed on roads crossing or adjacent to salt marshes in southern New Jersey. The institute has learned through seven years of research that different types of fencing installed along these roadways significantly reduce the number of terrapin deaths resulting from passing vehicles.
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Department of Recreation is getting ready for one of its most popular events of the spring season. The Borough’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 23rd, at 10:00am.
