Stone Harbor Council Meeting Summary – March 2nd, 2021

Work Session Meeting

Budget
At its March 2, 2021 work session, Council reviewed the Borough’s budget, which could be up for final approval in April. The $20.1 million budget shows an increase of $1.3 million or 7 percent and carries a municipal property tax increase of 13.3 percent, from $0.269 to $0.305 per $100 assessed valuation.

The budget can be found at this link https://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Current-Fund-Budget-Edmunds-Detail-1.pdf.

SHPOA has distributed to you a summary of the budget as presented at the budget work session meeting on February 11, 2021 which can also be found at: https://www.stoneharborpoa.org/stone-harbor-council-meeting-budget-work-seesion-for-febuary-11-2021/.

Because the Borough is undertaking large-scale capital projects including the 94th Street pump station and road improvements, Council discussed instituting a long-range financial plan. 
 
Storm Water Management
Borough engineer, Marc DeBlasio, discussed adoption of New Jersey’s model storm water management plan for major developments. These new standards are for major developments only, such as the Villa Maria project, and the engineer urged the Borough to adopt the model plan to comply with Department of Environmental Protection rules.
 
Rising Real Estate Prices 
The Borough Tax Assessor reported property sales continue to rise, and that prices are well above assessed values. If properties continue to sell at levels above the tax assessment, Cape May County may request a reassessment. The last reassessment was in 2017 for the 2018 year.

To read the Cape May County Herald’s story on the rising real estate tide, please follow this link: https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_0360a73e-7f59-11eb-85c8-db1f40d00c1c.html
 
Bulk Trash 
Pickup is scheduled for March 15. Owners may put out bulk trash items 72 hours before pickup. 
  
Regular Council meeting
 
Villa Maria By The Sea
At its regular March 2, 2021 meeting, Council gave final approval to vacate the paper street along 1st Avenue between 111th Street and 112th Street in exchange for $2 million to be paid over a period of 18 months from the proceeds of the closings of 13 lots created by the subdivision. The Borough reserved all rights to install and maintain storm drainage facilities. A portion of the proceeds are slated by the Borough to satisfy, in full, the Council on Affordable Housing obligation generated by Villa Maria. The balance would be utilized to partially fund the construction of the new Borough Life Guard Station.
 
Beach Time! 
Council passed a resolution designating “protected beaches” (with lifeguards) at the following streets: 81, 83, 86, 87, 90, 93, 94, 95,96, 100, 102,103, 105, 108,110, 112,113, 116, 117, 120 and 122.  Beach captains can move each bathing beach up to one-half block in either direction to take advantage of the best beach conditions. Protected beaches are scheduled to be open starting on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend though the Monday of Labor Day Weekend. Beach tags are required.
 
Guard House and Beach Sweeps 
Council approved a resolution for DeBlasio Associates to prepare a Design and Construction Phase Cost for the Beach Patrol Building.

Council authorized the 2021 beach sweep dates, Saturday April 17th and Saturday October 23, both from 9am to 12:30 pm.
 
A recording of the meeting can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XThPYqd2oQo.