Philadelphia 76ers Summer Hoops Tour Visits Avalon
(Avalon, NJ)—The Philadelphia 76ers brought their very popular Summer Hoops Tour to Avalon today to teach children the finer skills of basketball.
The Summer Hoops Tour made a stop on Tuesday, July 29th at the Avalon Community Hall, at the request of the Avalon Department of Recreation. Dozens of children of all ages came inside the hall to be taught various basketball skills and life lessons by the Sixers’ staff.
Among those who attended the event in Avalon was Philadelphia 76ers legend World B. Free, considered to be one of the most prolific shooting guards in NBA history. Other 76ers officials and support staff were also on hand, including Hip Hop, the official mascot of the basketball team.
The event was free and open to the public, and will be followed by another big 76ers event in Avalon, the Sixers Beach Bash, which will be held on Saturday, August 2nd at Jack’s Place, starting at 3pm.
76ers Summer Hoops Tour, Brass Camp Concerts In Avalon This Week
(Avalon, NJ)—The Philadelphia 76ers basketball organization, and some free concerts, are both coming to Avalon during the week of July 28th.
The Sixers will bring their very popular “Summer Hoops Tour” to Avalon’s Community Hall on Tuesday, July 29th, at 10am. The Avalon Recreation Department again invited the Sixers to come to Avalon to teach children the finer skills of basketball, and give kids very important life lessons. Former basketball star and Sixers Ambassador World B. Free will be in attendance, along with Sixers coaches and staff. The event is free and open to the public.
The 76ers also announced this month that their very popular Sixers Beach Bash will return to Avalon this summer. The event will be held at Jack’s Place on Saturday, August 2nd, from 3-7pm. The event will bring Sixers staff to Avalon to raise money for charitable efforts supported by the basketball team. There will be plenty of activities outside of Jack’s Place for families, including face painters, clowns, prizes, memorabilia raffles, and more. Fun for adults 21 and older will take place inside Jack’s Place, with a $10 admission charge.
Also this week in Avalon, the Bay Atlantic Symphony is holding its popular Summer Brass Camp. The Summer Brass Camp teaches people the fine art of music and music presentation. As part of the effort, Avalon will host four free concerts at the Veterans Plaza, all of them starting at 7pm. Here is the lineup of this week’s free concerts associated with the Summer Brass Camp:
Monday, July 29th—Faculty Brass and the Seven Mile Singers
Tuesday, July 30th—Faculty Brass
Wednesday, July 31st—Atlantic Brass
Thursday, August 1st—Faculty Brass along with Brass Camp Students
Avalon is the summer home of the Bay Atlantic Symphony, with four big performances scheduled throughout the Summer of 2008. The Bay Atlantic Symphony will present a “Tchaikovsky Jubilee” on Saturday, August 23rd at the Avalon Elementary School multi-purpose room.
Avalon Planning And Zoning Board Subcomittee To Meet
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Planning and Zoning Board Subcommittee will meet on Thursday, July 31st to discuss some issues regarding the Council on Affordable Housing.
The meeting will be held at 1pm at Borough Hall, 3100 Dune Drive, Avalon.
Topics to be discussed at the meeting include, but are not limited to:
*Impact to changes made by COA
*A possible reworking of the COA plan
*Initiate action on an ordinance on how to collect fees associated with COA
The meeting will be open to the public.
Avalon Preapres For Major Back Bay Dredging Project In Fall, 2008
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon’s Borough Council was briefed on a major back bay dredging project that will include both Long Reach and Whale Harbor during a council meeting held on Wednesday, July 23rd.
Council was presented with a power point presentation by William Dixon, Supervising Environmental Specialist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The power point presentation talked about the dredging project, specific costs, and where sediment would be placed. State officials also announced during the meeting that residents who have properties along the project area will be able to negotiate with the contractor to get their own slips dredged while the work is being done.
Here are some of the highlights of the dredging work in both Long Reach and Whale Harbor:
*Project cost: $732, 416, paid for by the New Jersey Department of Transportation
*Cost to Avalon taxpayers: Nothing. Residents who want their private slips dredged during the project will have to pay for that work to be done, if they request it
*Timeline: Project will start on or about September 15th, 2008 and must be concluded by January 1, 2009; work will start in Long Reach, and then proceed to Whale Harbor in early October, 2008
*Disposal site: Macchia Island
*Dredge: The dredge to be used is the same dredge currently being used for work in Bidwell’s Creek, in Middle Township
*Work times: During some portions of the project, the dredge will be operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to remain on schedule
Please refer to the power point presentation from the state of New Jersey for more details. Also refer to a copy of a letter mailed by the Borough’s engineering firm of Hatch Mott MacDonald which explains the project in further detail, along with the availability of the dredge to conduct work for private boat slips in the project area.
Stone Harbor Joins Avalon’s Battle Against Njdep State Aid Agreement
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi announced today that Stone Harbor officials have decided to support
Avalon’s legal challenge to the public access requirements NJDEP’s shore protection aid program. The appeal is now in the Superior Court’s Appellate Division, where oral argument is scheduled for early Fall. Stone Harbor Borough Council met this week and decided to support Avalon’s efforts as a “friend of the court”.
“I am very pleased our neighbors to the south recognize that there are major problems with the State Aid Agreement drafted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “As local, county, and state leaders continue to examine this agreement, there’s growing opposition against this faulty policy which I equate to social engineering”.
Stone Harbor’s decision to join Avalon as a “friend of the court” follows a similar decision made by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders to also oppose the State Aid Agreement. The county is also a “friend of the court” in this lawsuit. “I’m very pleased the leadership on the county level also recognized that the DEP’s agreement is wrong on many levels”, Pagliughi said.
The NJDEP’s proposed State Aid Agreement requires 24 hour a day, 7 day a week public access to all beaches, bays, and marinas in the state of New Jersey, without regard to safety or weather conditions. The agreement also requires “sufficient” public parking, , but without gives no specific guidelines. The Agreement would also require public restrooms every one half mile. Shore communities must sign the State Aid Agreement before getting permits and funding requested from the NJDEP or the Federal Government for beach replenishment projects.
“We were able to negotiate an emergency beach fill with the NJDEP for Avalon’s North End last month without having to sign the State Aid Agreement”, Pagliughi said. “I was grateful that the leadership at the Department had an open mind and allowed us to do the beach fill that was needed with no major concessions on our end. But the fact of the matter still remains that the agreement is seriously flawed, and Avalon intends to fight it in court. I believe elected officials in other shore communities and shore counties need to read the document, understand what it means, and join the growing list of government entities who oppose this policy”.
Municipal leaders in Surf City have also joined Avalon’s lawsuit regarding the State Aid Agreement.
Open Again: Avalon To Reopen Borough Hall Week Of July 21st
(Avalon, NJ)—After ten weeks of HVAC work, Avalon’s Borough Hall is reopening gradually during the week of July 21st-25th, 2008. A major project that resulted in a new heating and air conditioning system has been finished, and all functions of government will return to Borough Hall during the week.
“First and foremost, we want to thank the residents and visitors in Avalon for their patience while this work was being done”, said Avalon Business Administrator Andrew Bednarek. “Safety always comes first in Avalon, and we had to operate out of temporary trailers and other offices to give the work crews the space and time they needed to get their work done in a safe manner”.
Avalon’s Borough Hall was closed on May 12th, 2008. Functions of government including tax collection, finance, zoning, construction, borough clerk, administration, planning, courts, and public information all relocated to the Avalon Public Works building at 13th Street and Dune Drive, or operated out of temporary trailers. The trailers will be removed by the end of the month. By Friday, July 25th, all government operations will again be inside Borough Hall.
Court dates will once again be held in Borough Hall starting on Monday, July 28th. All Avalon Borough Council meetings will continue to be held through the month of July at the Avalon Community Center. Meetings will return to Borough Hall starting in August.
Construction continues on a brand new Public Safety Complex located next to Borough Hall, on Dune Drive, between 30th and 31st Streets. Work on the building began last year, and the first phase of the construction project will be finished by the end of this year. The project will be completely wrapped up early in the Spring, 2009. The new Public Safety Complex will house the police department, fire department, emergency management, rescue squad, beach tag, and communications functions for the Borough.
“Avalon’s mayor and council also thanks the employees of the Borough for working as a team and for working in their temporary offices for the past ten weeks”, Bednarek said. “Avalon’s government didn’t skip a beat during this major construction project”.
Avalon Borough Council Approves New Overnight Curfew
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Borough Council approved a new curfew ordinance during a meeting on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008. The curfew ordinance was passed unanimously by a 5-0 vote. The new curfew will go into effect, year ‘round in early August.
The new curfew ordinance applies to individuals who are under the age of 18. The ordinance reads:
“It shall be unlawful for any juvenile to loiter, idle, wander, stroll, park in a car or other vehicle, be on a bicycle or other form of transportation, or play in, remain in, or be upon a Public Place within the territorial limits of the Borough between the hours of midnight and 6:00am Sunday through Saturday”
The ordinance also makes provisions for mischief night, which is held the night before the celebration of Halloween. The curfew that evening will be at 7:00pm.
The ordinance contains certain exemptions, and will not be applicable to a juvenile in some cases, which include:
*Travel to and from a place of employment
*Travel to and from a place of instruction where the juvenile is in bona fide attendance
*Travel that is necessitated in the carrying out of an errand of an emergency nature
*Travel to a place at which a bona fide, supervised social meeting, gathering or assemblage has taken place
*Travel to a place at which a function may be held that shall be, or had been sponsored by a religious, school, civic, or other properly supervised event or program
Summonses will be issued; punishments included in the ordinance include serving up to 90 hours of community service and a fine that would not exceed $1,000.
July 5th Fireworks Party at 30th and the Beach
Avalon Imposes Water Restrictions For Summer Of 2008
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon has imposed residential water use restrictions for the Summer of 2008. The Avalon borough council approved a resolution supporting the restrictions during its meeting on Wednesday, June 11th.
“It’s important for Avalon residents and visitors to do all they can to limit the amount of water that they use this summer”, said Avalon Business Administrator Andrew Bednarek. “There are limits to how much water a town can use during the summer months, and Avalon has to be careful not to go over that limit for the second consecutive year”.
Under terms of the resolution, outdoor water use in Avalon will be restricted with an odd-even numbering system. If a residential or commercial property has a street address ending in an odd number, outdoor water use will be allowed only on odd-numbered days. If a residential or commercial property ends with an even number, outdoor water use will be restricted to even number days. All outdoor water use will be restricted on the 31st day of any month. Outdoor water use includes watering lawns and gardens, washing vehicles, and the like.
Avalon’s water usage numbers went over a limit set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 2007. Avalon currently has a permit to withdraw up to 76.8 million gallons per month and up to 354 million gallons per year from the 800-foot sand aquifer via the borough’s five wells. On October 20th, 2007, Avalon’s water usage for the year exceeded the annual limit of 354 million gallons. The total water usage for 2007 was 378.1 million gallons, which exceeded the annual limit by 6.8%.
“This resolution affords a rock-solid plan for Avalon to curtail its water use this summer”, said Avalon Borough Engineer Tom Thornton. “By limiting outdoor water use on this odd-even numbering system, Avalon should reduce the amount of water it will use this summer, and hopefully will stay within the limits outlined by the permits”.
The New Jersey American Water Company has provided Avalon and borough residents with common-sense water conservation ideas. They will be distributed via the borough’s website, www.avalonboro.org, and with a direct mail piece to properties in Avalon.
The Borough of Avalon will also participate in water conservation efforts, and will reduce its own outdoor water use as well to help with the effort.
The outdoor water restrictions in Avalon are effective immediately, and will be enforced until further notice.
Here are some water conservation tips, provided by the New Jersey American Water Company. These tips are applicable to all communities:
*Water the lawn only when it needs it. An easy way to tell if the lawn needs water is to simply walk across the grass. If there are footprints, then it’s time to water. Water early in the morning or event to avoid water lost to evaporation. As much as 30 percent of water can be lost to evaporation by watering during the midday.
*Use a broom or a hose to clean the sidewalk, driveway, or patio.
*Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation.
*Wash cars in small sections, and use a shut-off nozzle or take the car to a car wash that recycles water.
*Turn off water inside your home while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes in the sink
*Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full. Adjust the water level on the clothes washer to that it matches the load size
*Regularly check toilets, faucets and pipes for leaks. If there is a leak, have it fixed as soon as possible.
*Keep a bottle of cold tap water in the refrigerator. It will help avoid the cost and environmental impact of drinking bottled water, and will make cold water available in the summer without running the faucet.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR AVALON, NEW JERSEY FOR JULY 2008
Tuesday, July 8th - Magical Song Writer, 11am at the Avalon Elementary School Gym, free
Tuesday, July 8th - "Arctic Tale", Big Beach Movie, 8:30pm at 30th Street Beach, free
Saturday, July 12th - Tommy Zito beach concert, Noon-3pm, 30th Street Beach, free
Saturday, July 12th - Italian Festival Bocco Tournament, 10am-4pm, 30th Street Beach
Saturday, July 12th - Contact Cape Atlantic Avalon Five Mile run, 8am
Saturday, July 12th - Bay Atlantic Symphony Italian Opera, Avalon Elementary School, 7pm
Sunday, July 13th - McQ beach concert, Noon-3pm, 30th Street beach, free
Tuesday, July 15th - NJ Blackbelt, 11am at the Avalon Elementary School Gym, free
Tuesday, July 15th - "Evan Almighty", Big Beach Movie, 8:30pm at 30th Street Beach, free
Thursday, July 17th - Family Entertainment with Mark Rust, 11am at the Avalon Elementary School Gym, free
Friday, July 18th - 7 Mile Singers concert, 7pm at Veterans Plaza, free
Saturday, July 19th - Remedy beach concert, Noon-3pm, 30th Street Beach, free
Sunday, July 20th - Shannon Cole & See No Evil beach concert, 30th Street Beach, free
Sunday, July 20th - Avalon Yacht Club 5K run, 8am
Tuesday, July 22nd - Haldini Magic,11am at the Avalon Elementary School Gym, free
Tuesday, July 22nd - "TMNT", Big Beach Movie, 8:30pm at 30th Street Beach, free
Thursday, July 24th - Makin Music, 11am at the Avalon Elementary School Gym, free
Friday, July 25th - "Caught In A Trap", Elvis tribute concert, at Veterans Plaza, free
Saturday, July 26th - Verdict (APAC) beach concert, Noon-3pm, 30th Street Beach, free
Sunday, July 27th - Howard Issacson beach concert, Noon-3pm, 30th Street Beach, free
Tuesday, July 29th - Ken Northridge Magic, 11am at the Avalon Elementary School Gym, free
Tuesday, July 29th - "Water Horse", Big Beach Movie, 8:30pm at 30th Street Beach, free
Friday, August 1st - 7 Mile Singers concert, 7pm at Veterans Plaza, free
Ellenberg Becomes New President Of Avalon Borough Council
Engineer reports beach fill larger than expected; county supports Avalon lawsuit vs. NJDEP
(Avalon, NJ)—David Ellenberg became the new president of the Avalon Borough Council during a reorganization meeting that occurred on Wednesday, July 2nd.
Ellenberg was unanimously voted to the position of Council President with a 4-0 vote; council also named Councilman Chuck Covington as the Vice-President of Borough Council.
During the council meeting, Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton told council that a recent beach fill effort in the North end of the community was completed successfully in just eight days. Thornton reported that 245,000 cubic yards of sand was put on the beaches between 9th Street and 18th Street during the beach fill project, conducted by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC. There were no significant delays with the beach fill project, and Thornton says that contractor was “very responsive”, and the surveys conducted for the project were very well done.
Cape May County’s attorney, John Porto, also attended the council meeting. Porto told the Borough Council that the county freeholders have decided to be a “friend of the court” in Avalon’s lawsuit against the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Avalon is suing the NJDEP over the latest version of the State Aid Agreement, which local towns have to sign in order to get permits for various projects, including beach fills. Porto told council that the county leadership believes “the agreement appears to be a one size fits all” document. He believes that the request to be a “friend of the court” for Avalon’s case will be filed by Monday, and then a court brief will be filed within 21 days.
The latest version of the State Aid Agreement attempts to provide 24 hour a day, seven day access to all beaches, marinas, and waterways. It also attempts to regulate the number of parking spaces and bathrooms that a community needs to provide to the public.
A court hearing on the lawsuit is expected in early Fall, 2008.
Avalon Beach Fill, Day Nine: Pumping Is Over, Beaches Clear Thursday
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon’s major beach fill project in the North end of the community is nearing completion. Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton from Hatch Mott MacDonald reported Tuesday morning that the actual pumping of the sand on the beaches concluded Tuesday morning. Work crews will be on the beach through the day Tuesday and Wednesday getting the sand in place, and removing pipes and other equipment from the work area. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company says all of the equipment will be off the beaches of Avalon by Thursday
“This is very good news for Avalon”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “The work has been completed ahead of schedule, and the North end beaches will be free and clear of all equipment and in great shape for the July 4th Weekend in Avalon. I’m very pleased that the work has finished ahead of schedule”.
Avalon officials had a meeting with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on June 12th; 13 days later, sand was being pumped on the beaches of Avalon from 9th Street, south to 18th Street. The final sand was pumped on Tuesday morning between 17th and 18th Streets.
Avalon council members Dick Dean and Joe Tipping both visited the dredge that is pumping the sand onto the beaches, on Friday. Dean and Tipping, along with other Borough officials, met with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC Contract Manager David J. Johanson to get a close look at the dredge and an update on the beach fill.
Sand was pumped onto Avalon’s North end beaches 24 hours a day, seven days a week until this morning.
The dredge company recently finished a big beach fill project in Ocean City, and during the weekend, the dredge and various pieces of equipment arrived in Avalon. The state of New Jersey has agreed to pay for 75% of the project cost, which is estimated at $2.4 million. This beach fill project is the first of two anticipated beach fills for the northern end of Avalon. Officials are also working on securing agreements with state and federal officials for a follow up beach fill that could occur in late 2008, or in the early spring of 2009. That beach fill would utilize $1.5 million in federal funding.
Avalon officials visited with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection earlier this month and was able to convince NJDEP officials that the community needed a beach fill immediately in Avalon’s north end. The state has committed $1.8 million in funding for the project.
The Sixers will bring their very popular “Summer Hoops Tour” to Avalon’s Community Hall on Tuesday, July 29th, at 10am. The Avalon Recreation Department again invited the Sixers to come to Avalon to teach children the finer skills of basketball, and give kids very important life lessons. Former basketball star and Sixers Ambassador World B. Free will be in attendance, along with Sixers coaches and staff. The event is free and open to the public.
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon has imposed residential water use restrictions for the Summer of 2008. The Avalon borough council approved a resolution supporting the restrictions during its meeting on Wednesday, June 11th.
Avalon’s water usage numbers went over a limit set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 2007. Avalon currently has a permit to withdraw up to 76.8 million gallons per month and up to 354 million gallons per year from the 800-foot sand aquifer via the borough’s five wells. On October 20th, 2007, Avalon’s water usage for the year exceeded the annual limit of 354 million gallons. The total water usage for 2007 was 378.1 million gallons, which exceeded the annual limit by 6.8%.
(Avalon, NJ)—David Ellenberg became the new president of the Avalon Borough Council during a reorganization meeting that occurred on Wednesday, July 2nd.
