As a courtesy to our SHPOA Members, we’re bringing you a summary of each Stone Harbor Work Session and Council Meeting. Intended as summaries, these intentionally don’t have a lot of details and are not a substitute for the official Borough minutes.

Work Session

A Fond Farewell
Council wished a fond farewell to retiring Councilmembers Jen Gensemer and Vincent Foschini who decided not to seek reelection this year. The two attended their last meeting as council members on December 16.

Public Safety
Councilmember Frank Dalahan reported that last month the Fire Department responded to 38 calls; police responded to 29 motor vehicle incidents, including three accidents and two suspicious vehicles. He noted that the Police Chief, Chris Palmer is looking into an education program to encourage drivers to properly secure children in slow-moving vehicles.

Natural Resources
Councilmember Robin Casper reported that Stockton University’s study of the beach and bay would be released soon.

Public Comment
SHPOA Solicitor Anthony Tinari, Secretary Phyllis Moore, and Trustee Justine Herzog spoke in favor of the 3 percent occupancy tax saying it could help with the looming budget shortfall of about $1 million. The tax would be imposed on hotel and motel rooms as well as privately rented condos and homes through services such as VRBO and Airbnb. Units rented through real estate agencies are exempt from the tax under state law. Motel owners objected to the tax saying it would discourage tourism because it would negatively impact customers’ travel budgets. One suggested that the borough study alternative revenue, including raising the current $1 hour parking rate and charging for parking on the free lot at 94th Street.

Regular Meeting
Council adopted ordinances reorganizing various municipal departments and allowing the borough to enter into a contract with an assistant business administrator in the future. They adopted the 3 percent occupancy tax in a 4-1-1 vote with Casper voting no and Foschini recusing himself.

To read legislation from this meeting, please click: https://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Regular-Meeting-Agenda-with-Back-Up-for-12-16-2025.pdf

To view a video of the meeting, please click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Q31hnIods
NOTE: As you may know, our friends at the Cape May County Herald are offering SHPOA members only an exclusive discount for Herald subscriptions — 25% OFF with code “SHPOA” — and they are also providing your association advertising space in print and online for us to promote the association and the initiatives important to our members.

To subscribe and use the discount, please click on https://capemaycountyherald.com/subscribe/ and use promo code “SHPOA” at checkout to claim your 25% discount. Only valid for new subscribers.
To read past Stone Harbor Council Meeting summaries, please click here: https://www.stoneharborpoa.org/category/borough-meeting-summaries/

To watch recordings of past meetings, please click here: https://stoneharbornj.org/agendameetings/watch-mayor-and-council-meetings-online/