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WORK TO BEGIN DURING FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY FOR NEW WATER WELL

(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon will be getting a new water well in 2009. Avalon Engineer Thomas Thornton from Hatch Mott MacDonald reports a new will be drilled to replace Well #7 at 67^th Street during the first part of 2009.

“Avalon needs this well to be drilled in 2009 to ensure that Avalon has a safe, reliable source of drinking water”, Thornton said. “This well will replace an existing well and help Avalon meet its potable water needs for many years to come.”

Drilling for the new well is expected to commence on or about February 6^th, 2009; work crews will begin to mobilize on Tuesday, February 3^rd. The project is expected to take approximately three months to complete, and should be completed in the middle of May, 2009. The new well will be drilled at a depth of up to 900 feet, according to Thornton. The contract for the $750,000 project has been awarded to A.C. Schultes.

“We want the public to know that at times during this project crews will have to work 24 hours a day, around the clock, to accomplish this well drilling procedure. Drilling on a continuous basis is necessary to prevent the drilling equipment from seizing up in the well and to maximize the efficiency of the drilling process”, Thornton said. “Avalon fully understands that at times noise will be created in the immediate neighborhood and that will be an inconvenience for residents who live near the well. We would like to assure residents that everyone involved in this project is very aware of the noise issue, but it will be unavoidable at times while work is being done”.

There will also be a traffic detour in the project area. Traffic will be diverted southbound on Dune Drive to Ocean Drive at 66^th Street. Traffic will then be redirected one block south on Ocean Drive. Motorists will then have the option to return to Dune Drive on 67^th Street or proceed in a southbound direction along Ocean Drive. Emergency management and public safety officials have been advised of this detour which will be in effect for about three months. Letters are also being distributed to residents who live in the project area alerting them about the noise issue, and the traffic detour.

“There will be a project manager on site for the duration of this well drilling project”, Thornton said. “Every effort will be made to reduce the impact in the immediate area and safety will always come first. The end result will be a brand new water well for Avalon, and the ability to continue to meet the water demands for the community in the future”.

The 67^th Street well is one of five drinking water wells owned by the Borough. Avalon’s water system is owned by the Borough and operated and maintained through a contract with New Jersey American Water.

AVALON “FRIEND IN NEED” ORGANIZATION HOLDING SUPER SUNDAY FUNDRAISER

(Avalon, NJ)—A local charitable organization in Avalon will be holding a major fundraiser on Sunday, February 1st at the Princeton in Avalon. “Friend In Need” will raise money for three local families, with the NFL Championship Game serving as a backdrop for all of the festivities.

“This is going to be a fun evening of friendship and support for members of our community”, said Avalon Mayor Marty Pagliughi, one of the volunteers involved with “Friend In Need”. “I’m encouraging everyone on the Seven Mile Island, Sea Isle City, and elsewhere, to come to Avalon to watch the game and support the cause”.

The fundraiser will start on Sunday, February 1st, at 4pm at the Princeton, located at 20^th and Dune Drive, in Avalon. Tickets are $25 in advance, and $30 at the door. They are currently available from numerous local “Friend In Need” group members, at the Circle Tavern, or can be ordered by calling Greg Meredith at (609) 408-5585. In Sea Isle City, tickets are available by calling DSG. Kirk J. Rohrer at (609) 425-4578, or Pattiann at the office of Mayor Len Desiderio, 263-4461, ext. 0.

The ticket price includes admission, draft beer and wine, roast beef, hotdogs, wings, meatball sandwiches, and all of the fixings donated by local businesses and individuals. In addition, people who attend the fundraiser will be able to take part in raffles for great prizes, including a vacation house stay in Florida, or a 50+ inch flat screen HDTV. Plenty of door prizes will also be available.

This year’s event will raise money for the families of Capt. Mike Grey, Jacqui Haenn, and Sea Isle City Police Sgt. Tony Garreffi. Mike is a long time local resident who was tragically taken from his family in November; Jacqui was in a serious automobile accident leaving her with numerous medical bills.

Tony and his wife Stephanie are the parents of nine-year old A.J. Garreffi, who has developed severe Aplastic Anemia, and had to be hospitalized at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

2009 MAYOR’S BUDGET MESSAGE
JANUARY 15, 2009

Dear Members of Council:

I am submitting the 2009 municipal budget for your review and approval. As proposed, this budget allows us to continue to provide essential municipal services to our residents and visitors. The appropriations for the services contained in this spending plan address the public health, safety and security challenges and community priorities that will continue to maintain the quality of life here in Avalon.

This budget also addresses planned ongoing and long-term community capital improvement programs while continuing to bring to completion those projects initiated in prior budgets.

For the past two years, our budget message warned of the implementation of a 4% Tax Levy Cap by the New Jersey Legislature as well as the continued squeeze of the spending CAP. The proposed budget is within the limitations of both CAPS. The Borough is under the levy CAP by 207,308 and 2.5% spending CAP by $306,106. Future municipal budgets will continue to be squeezed by the spending CAP as well as the tax levy CAP.

In the preparation of the 2009 budget, I have recognized that the trend of real estate value growth has slowed. However we have experienced an increase from $8.702 billion to $8.779 billion in the rateable base as we start 2009. Unfortunately, despite slowed economic growth in our State and the associated pressures placed on our taxpayers, in this recessionary environment, the Borough is required to appropriate funds in legal and planning studies to meet the unfunded mandates of the State Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) regulations as well as continued litigation expenses associated with the misguided NJ DEP public access regulations. Despite an option proposed by the Governor to defer pension obligation expenses to a future date, this budget does contain the full funding of pension obligations in 2009; this municipal budget is crafted without gimmickry.

The Borough continues to deal with the impact the revenue tax cap levy on the present and future budget years to finance statutory increases in the budget. As such the Borough will have a modest increase in the 2009 levy. The Borough will continue to investigate the maximization of other non property tax revenue sources such as construction code fees, cell tower revenues, etc. to supplement revenues.

In order to meet these present and future challenges, this budget anticipates a .179 cent combined Library and Municipal tax rate 2009 compared to .171 cent rate in 2008. This is an increase of about eight tenths of one cent (0.008 cents) per $100 of Assessed Value. The increase is due principally to fund the costs associated with pension contributions, library expenses and general government expenses.

CURRENT FUND

The proposed total 2009 current fund budget is $22,419,567. This amount represents a 2.56 % or $560,475 increase in appropriations when compared to the 2008 budget of $21,859,093.

WATER AND SEWER UTILITY

The 2009 budget for Water and Sewer is $5,804,900, a 0.81% increase from the 2008 figure of $5, 758,000. The major drivers of the utility budget include utilities costs and the CMCMUA appropriation for the service charge of $2, 650,000 which accounts for 46% of the total budget. The revenue fund balance is stable and as such the municipal water and sewer rates will remain unchanged.

BEACH UTILITY FUND

The 2009 Beach Utility Fund Budget is $1, 276, 663 which is a 3.34% increase from $1, 236,436 in 2008. The increase in this budget is due to the increased costs to maintain and staff the beach operations to remain competitive with neighboring municipalities.

2009 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

    Maintain our most valuable natural resource – our beaches. In partnership with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and the US Army Corps of Engineers it is proposed that a $2.3 million dollar 225,000 cubic yard trucked beach fill be completed from 9^th to 18^th Streets by the spring of 2009. It is estimated that the USACOE will provide $1.5 million toward this trucked sand restoration project. The Borough and NJDEP share of this project is $800,000 with a split of 75% state and 25% local match. As you recall, this was the same area that needed to be filled with 225,000 cubic yards of sand in 2008 at a cost of $2.37 million of which the Borough received a grant from the NJDEP for $1,776,561. The Borough has appropriated contingency funding in order to supplement sand quantities if necessary.

    Reconstruct Dune Drive Southbound between 12^th and 19^th Street. The Borough received $150,000 in municipal aid grant under the NJDOT local funding program for the completion of this project in the spring of 2009. Remaining funds from prior year road projects will provide funding for this project.

    Completion the State funded Back Bay maintenance dredging of Long Reach and Whale Harbor was recently completed this month. The dredging of Avalon’s various Back Bay channels is a multi-year, multi-faceted project that requires the development of an overall dredging master plan and a cost effective solution for the placement of dredge materials and the ultimate beneficial reuse of this materials.

    Address housing issues related to the preparation of an affordable housing plan (COAH) fair share housing and plan endorsement by the Planning and Zoning Board and the Governing Body.

    Complete renovation and construction of the Avalon Public Safety Complex in 2009. This project includes the renovation of approximately 7,500 square feet of existing building and the construction of new space to house the rescue squad. This building will house the Emergency Management, Rescue Squad, Fire Department, Record Keeping, Equipment Storage, and Police functions of the Public Safety Department as well as comfort station/restrooms accessible to the general public 24 hours per day.

    Replace two rooftop HVAC units at Avalon’s Community Hall. Bids were received in November, 2008. The project cost is $154,470 and a contract has been awarded. Pre-construction meeting will be held on January 20^th, 2009 and the project is scheduled to be completed before summer.

    Complete the interior and exterior painting of the 200,000 gallon elevated water storage tank located at 13^th Street is slated to be done in 2009. This project is necessary in order to maintain the reliability and quality of the Borough’s drinking water and extends the useful life of the tank for approxmately 12-15 years.

    Replace water well #7 at 67^th and Dune Drive will commence construction in the early of 2009. New Jersey American Water Company, our service provider for the maintenance, operation and management of our utility system, along with the Borough Engineer has recommend replacement of this well.

This replacement well that will be drilled to a depth of 870 feet and will be similar to the recently drilled replacement well #3 at 13^th Street. This well will provide a safe and dependable supply of drinking water to Avalon residents in the years to come. The cost of this project is $750,000.

    Enhance public safety notification efforts by implementing the Channel 2 local public access television station. Avalon is entering into a shared service agreement with Sea Isle City and Stone Harbor to redesign the television channel to provide more timely community information, 24 hours a day. The channel will also broadcast emergency information immediately, when needed. Avalon has received a $40,000 grant from Comcast to fully fund this project.

    Global connect emergency notification system. This emergency voice broadcast system that was installed in 2007 as a public safety service allows the Borough to rapidly contact 5400 households and cell phone numbers and leave a detailed message notifying Borough residents of a weather event or other emergency situation. This system was utilized to its fullest during the past summer when medical waste was purposefully put in the ocean and washed ashore in late August. Advance planning in the area of public safety is paramount.

I remain committed to my view that local government leaders need to inspire optimism, trust and direction. Despite the major community challenge we faced last summer of medical waste having been deliberately disposed off our shore, and the subsequent public safety investigation, public works clean up and public information response to this emergency, Avalon continues to be recognized as one of New Jersey’s premier seashore communities. This fact was evidenced by a feature article in the National Geographic Magazine published in August 2008 that highlights the wonderful and special characteristics our community, on the international stage, as a place to live, work and play.

You have my assurance that all of the departments of Borough government are dedicated to the ultimate mission to identify the best ways and means to enhance the quality of life in Avalon at the most affordable price. I thank Borough Council, employees and volunteers for their continued commitment, dedication and hard work to achieve our mission.

I am looking forward to working with you in 2009 to ensure that Avalon continues to be a community where both our residents and visitors enjoy living and vacationing year after year. If you have any questions about the budget, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Martin L. Pagliughi

Mayor

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi today honored two Avalon residents for their hard work and dedication with Volunteers in Medicine, a local organization that provides health care to residents in Cape May County.

Pagliughi attended a Volunteers in Medicine luncheon at the Stone Harbor Golf Club on Friday, January 16^th, and presented a plaque and official proclamation to Dolores “Bunny” Biderberg, and her husband, Herbert. Both are Avalon residents and have contributed greatly to the success of the volunteer organization.

“Avalon is very proud of what Bunny and Herb have been able to do for Volunteers in Medicine”, Pagliughi said. “VIM is an organization that I believe in, and Avalon strongly supports. It’s very important for VIM to succeed in Cape May County to provide health care for those individuals who are not able to afford it”.

The proclamation presented by Pagliughi reads, in part, as follows:

“Whereas Bunny and Herb have been involved since 1999, when Herb was busy assisting in the renovation of the Masonic Lodge into a building that would become the VIM’s clinic rooms, administrative office, and reception area, and…Whereas, Bunny in 2002 became the Volunteer Director, organizing the volunteer program, which is still in operation. Herb continued to monitor the building and its equipment to make sure that any problems were identified and corrected. You both have been an inspiration to all of your family, friends, and those you have worked with side by side”.

Volunteers in Medicine is located at 423 Route 9 North in Cape May Court House. Its mission is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the medically uninsured or underserved population living and working in Cape May County. The clinic is primarily a volunteer organization relying on dozens of community healthcare and support volunteers.

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Performing Arts Council is again on the move! On April 1, 2009 we’ll travel to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a private tour of Cezanne and Beyond, and the Perelman Building for Henri Matisse & Modern Art on the French Riviera. Paul Cezanne’s work was the inspiration for a century of great artists, among them Henri Matisse, who referred to him as “my one and only master…the father of us all”.

After our senses are saturated with these masterpieces, we head to Center City’s newest attraction, the Comcast Tower. This 975 foot marvel is called “the largest green building in the county” because of the eco-friendly technologies used in its creation. Great food and shopping is available at The Market on the lower concourse

Departure is from Avalon’s Community Hall at 8:00am, returning at 6:00pm. The cost is an all-inclusive $65. For more information, call 967-3808.

To make a reservation, send your name(s), address, telephone number, and check, payable to:

APAC-Trip
P.O. Box 72
Avalon, NJ 08202

Photo credit: Mont Sainte-Victoire, by Paul Cezanne (Philadelphia Museum of Art)