Wildwood Crest Borough Council Greenlights Land Acquisition and Launches Safety Campaign
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent meeting of the Wildwood Crest Borough Council, several decisions were made, including the approval of a $775,000 land acquisition through bond financing, and the initiation of the Summerrshore Pedestrian Awareness Campaign aimed at improving pedestrian safety. Additionally, the council addressed public safety enhancements and community concerns regarding property maintenance.
A major highlight of the meeting was the council’s unanimous approval of Ordinance 1463, which involves the purchase of a parcel of land for $775,000, financed through the issuance of bonds. This ordinance passed its first reading and is set for a public hearing on July 9, 2025. The acquisition is part of the broader development plans for the borough, though specific plans for the land have yet to be disclosed.
In parallel, the council launched the Summerrshore Pedestrian Awareness Campaign, a safety initiative designed to protect pedestrians throughout the borough. This campaign focuses on educating both pedestrians and drivers about safety responsibilities, especially during the busy summer months. The initiative complements the police department’s efforts to maintain public safety, as detailed by Captain Demo in his report. He noted that the department responded to 2,159 calls for service and conducted 116 criminal investigations in May 2025. The introduction of a new police department website further supports these efforts by facilitating better community-police engagement, enabling residents to report concerns, and submit information related to their surveillance cameras to aid investigations.
The council continued its focus on infrastructure by approving several resolutions related to sanitary sewer improvements and contracts for various public works projects, including the New Jersey Infrastructure Precounty project. They also set the stage for upcoming enhancements with the acceptance of bids for the New Jersey Avenue sanitary sewer water main improvement project.
In terms of administrative appointments, the council unanimously approved contracts for Francine B. Springer as interim borough administrator and Patricia A. Fetics as deputy borough administrator for 2025. Their appointments were met with congratulatory remarks during the meeting.
Public concerns also took center stage during the meeting. Resident Mike Baker expressed frustration over the prolonged legal proceedings surrounding a neglected property known as the Popper property. The council acknowledged the issue, explaining that while fines had been imposed, significant repairs necessitated legal action, which can be time-consuming. Baker’s concerns were echoed by resident Jennifer Ladish, who raised issues regarding another property neglected by its owner, which had become overgrown and posed a health risk due to potential mosquito breeding. The council advised Ladish to report the matter to code enforcement and noted previous interventions by the County Mosquito Control Commission.
Additionally, the council addressed the ongoing issue of dogs on the beach. It was clarified that dogs are prohibited from the beach from May through September, which has led to some public confusion. This ordinance remains unchanged, despite public inquiries about potential modifications.
The meeting also touched on community development topics, including the introduction of a new community interface on the borough’s website, designed to consolidate resources and alerts for public use. Concerns about data security were addressed, confirming that the network is managed in-house to ensure protection of sensitive information.
In terms of future planning, the council scheduled a meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers for July 31. This virtual meeting is expected to address various concerns of the borough, facilitating collaboration on ongoing and future projects.
Don Cabrera
City Council Officials:
Joseph Franco, Jr., Joseph M. Schiff
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
06/25/2025
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Recording Published:
06/25/2025
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Duration:
54 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Cape May County
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Towns:
Wildwood Crest
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