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
Budget Presentation
Details of the 2023 budget were reviewed in a presentation by Borough CFO Jim Craft. As previously reported, the tax rate increased $0.01 cents per $100 of assessed value with debt service and employee benefits driving the increase. Council plans to hold a public hearing on April 18th, at which time it plans to consider passing the 2023 budget.
Flood Prevention Ordinance
Building official Ray Poudrier, who also serves as flood prevention coordinator, discussed proposed changes in the flood prevention ordinance to include required Borough-issued permits for changes made to a property. The permit is free for improvements under $10,000, and $200 over $10,000. The point of the permit is for the Borough to be able to provide an official record of improvements for homeowners for insurance purposes in the event of a flood. This will assist the Borough in its quest for additional Community Rating System points which should help property owners save money on flood insurance.
Borough Employees Recognized
Two Borough employees traveling Route 55 on Borough business, were commended on their quick action to aid and assist a motorist whose car had flipped over on the side of the road.
Human Resources
Council introduced a new Salary Ordinance to increase salary ranges for 2023 and 2024. Borough employees would receive training in compliance with requirements from the Jersey Insurance Fund on respective and inclusive workplace culture highlighting existing Borough policies. Lastly, a new Borough position, Regulatory Compliance Specialist, would be added. Council plans to vote in two weeks to amend the Borough Administrator job description.
Other Ordinances
In two weeks, Council plans to vote on the following ordinances:
Amend the wedding ordinance to include time limits of 3 hours for beach and 2 hours for pavilion weddings and reduce the fee to $100.
Amend the auditor ordinance to restrict access to certain areas of Borough Hall.
A new ordinance is being written that reflects NJ Senate Bill 1368 to require all business owners to provide insurance certificates to Borough.
Public Works & Utilities
Manny Parada, Public Works Director, reported that the department is very busy getting the island ready for the 2023 Spring/Summer season. The new trash ordinance takes effect May 1st and the last bulk pickup before the summer is May 8th, which is a good opportunity for property owners to get rid of their old trash receptacles. Beginning May 1st, the Borough will be using a parking app. Parking meters have been removed. A new chlorination system was installed and a new computerized SKADA system put in place to monitor the Borough’s wells and should ease reporting to the Department of Environmental Protection.
Regular Council Meeting
Council voted on two ordinances and several resolutions. Ordinances included reserving the Borough’s right to prohibit and remove invasive species, and, an update to the flood prevention ordinance. Resolutions included early release for seasonal employees, the appointment of summer police and three part-time firefighters, the extension of the dune management project, approval of change orders related to the installation of tide control valves, and naming Cape May County Herald as the official legal notice provider.
To view legislation discussed at the meeting, please hit this link: http://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ReG-agenda-Web.pdf
To view a recording of the meeting, please click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCnil2r8SDg