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
 
Council Members presented committee reports and updates during the work session, including:
•Administration & Finance:  Councilmember Ken Biddick cautioned that the 2027 budget would be “awfully tight” due to increases in expenses, including salaries and health insurance for borough employees.  He requested that Council give some thought to cost cutting or revenue sources that may help to resolve budget issues.
 
•Public Works: Councilmember Bob Ross reported that the Public Works Department was performing inspections, repairs, and daily maintenance on Stone Harbor beaches, docks, concession stands, and other facilities.  He also reported that bicycle racks and repair stations donated by SHPOA had been installed at 95th and 99th Streets, as well as 123rd Street and Second Avenue.  He noted that a rack and repair station donated by the Lark Hotel in memory of Harry Otto had been installed at the 82nd Street playground.  
•Engineer’s Report: Marc DeBlasio updated Council on the status of various projects, including Third Avenue housing project, Jake’s Place playground, and an application from New Jersey’s transit and village bikeway program.  DeBlasio stated that the 81st Street boat ramp project was awaiting Council’s approval with the expectation that the project may be put out for bidding in November.
•Utilities: Councilmember Frank Vaul reported that the water/sewage bills had been delayed and would be mailed next week.  He announced that while payment is due by September 1, a 30-day grace period is allowed for Stone Harbor property owners.
 
Public Comment
Speaking on behalf of the Flood Committee, Geoff Woolery offered to assist Council in order to get the Marina flood control project moving forward.    He explained that this area was a priority due to heavy flooding and that scheduling had to be timed to low traffic on the boat ramp. Councilmember Bunny Parzych responded that she expects the project to be voted on during the August 18 Council meeting.  She stated that the project had been delayed because permits were not received in time to complete the project before the spring boating season.  She noted that the $300,000 necessary for the work has been budgeted with another $1 million earmarked for valve replacement to control flooding.
 
Regular Session
The Stone Harbor Council adopted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will serve as a basis for the final collective bargaining contract for the Borough’s firefighters. Under the MOU, the contract would extend from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.  The MOU (Resolution S-235) was approved after its removal from the consent calendar, which allowed Council to take a brief period in closed session to examine the agreement. 
 
The Council also approved a number of Resolutions on the consent calendar:
•Resolution S-232, creating an interlocal services agreement with Wildwood Catholic High School for the use of Stone Harbor’s recreation fields for its soccer games and practices
•Resolution S-233, authorizing the acceptance of grant funding ($1,120) for New Jersey’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety “Drive Sober or Get Pulled over 2026 Labor Day Crack Down”
•Resolution S-236, approving a special event application for Studio Bodhi Pilates’ open house on August 30
•Resolution S-237, authorizing payment of approved payrolls and bills; and
•Resolution S-238, authorizing a shared services agreement between the borough and Cape May County for animal sheltering services.  
 To view legislation discussed at the meeting, please click:
 
To view a video of the meeting, please click:
 
 
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/