As a courtesy to our SHPOA Members, we’re bringing you this summary of the Stone Harbor Work Session and Council Meeting on December 21, 2021.
Work Session
Public Safety
Chiefs Roget Stanford (Fire) and Thomas Schutta (Police) reported on their department activity for the month of November:
Fire: twenty-four fire calls
EMS Calls: forty-one
EMS Calls: forty-one
Police: ten moving violations, forty-three motor vehicle stops, two motor vehicle accidents, five open doors, four animal complaints, two OPRA requests, one adult arrest.
Police will be hiring a new officer to replace a recent resignation.
Lifeguard HQ
Marc DeBlasio provided an update on the construction of the new lifeguard headquarters stating that the first-floor framing is complete, and the second story will start next week.
Aqua Fence
Emergency Management reported that the new Aqua Fence was deployed at the Boat Ramp on 81st Street during a significant Nor’easter. The fence was effective in minimizing flooding. Starting this spring, the names of all boat slip owners, kayak slip owners and Hobie Cat owners will be added to the “Code Red” system so they can be notified of any emergency events.
Recreation Report
A new Gazebo was installed at the 97th Street Bocce courts.
The Thanksgiving Weekend events were highly successful with a high level of participation.
Natural Resource Update
The Borough is hiring a consultant to explore Beach Renourishment options. Two potential candidates will be interviewed in January 2022.
A meeting was held with the Assistant Secretary of the Interior and Stone Harbor, Avalon, and North Wildwood officials to discuss the use of Hereford Inlet for beach renourishment status. Dr. Stewart Farrell is set to debrief the Mayor and Council at the January 4th, 2022, Council on the meeting.
Wetlands Institute Director Lenore Tedesco provided an update on the Stone Harbor Point Stewardship program. The use of ambassadors on the Point during the summer was successful in protecting wildlife and will continue in 2022.
The “Go Green” committee was awarded a bronze certification from the state for the conservation efforts.
Council Meeting
Charles Jones, a consultant hired by the Borough to review Public Works operations, provided a status update. During the past two months, the consultant interviewed Borough employees and is scheduled to issue a draft final report in March.
Thomas McCullough, commander of the Stone Harbor American Legion, spoke during public comment to thank the Borough for their continued support of the Legion.
Votes
Ordinance 1602 restricting the use of Borough property for private parties was passed on a 5-1 vote.
A resolution passed 6-0 awarding $362,103 to Lenagan Plumbing and Heating to replace water meters.
A resolution to set various fees (parking, boat slip, kayak storage, etc.) for 2022 passed on a 6-0 vote. The specific fees can be found at https://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/December-21-2021.pdf
Gratitude
Throughout the work session and Council meeting, several people expressed their gratitude and thanks to Council member Ray Parzych for his 5 years of service on the council. This was his last Council meeting, and he will be replaced by his wife, Bunny Parzych, in January.
For documents referenced in this meeting, please click: https://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/December-21-2021.pdf
To view a recording of the meeting, please click: https://youtu.be/dLZOAJK1-KI