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 Reports
Recreation and Tourism
Councilmember Bunny Parzych reported that the borough has received seven Special Event applications for approval, as follows:
Oceanview Avalon Condo Association. For use of Recreation Center.
Downtown Sidewalk Sales. To be held between May 2 and 3, as well as August 22 and 23.
Seashore Ace Grill Demonstration. May 9.
Garden Club Community Yard Sale. 94th Street Parking Lot. May 16. (Rain Date May 17).
Surfside Rugby Club Tournament, 81st Street grounds, July 17 to 18.
Wetlands Institute Summer Celebration. Marina Parking Lot. July 25.
Cystic Fibrosis Assn. Paddle to a Cure. Municipal Boat Ramp. August 9.
Jake’s Law Playground and Pickleball Courts
Demolition is underway for the Jake’s Law Playground at the 82nd Street Recreation Center. The playground should be ready for the summer season. Pickleball court resurfacing at 82nd Street is set to begin April 6. There should be 10 pickleball courts ready by Memorial Day weekend.

REAL Act
The REAL Act Executive Order was signed by outgoing Governor Murphy on January 20. This Order requires additional property elevation in all newly constructed and/or significantly renovated properties in New Jersey. The borough will be revising its Ordinances to reflect the impact of this Order regarding zoning.

Natural Resources
Aaron Baker of Lomax Consulting gave a presentation on the Dune Vegetation Management Plan (DVMP). The DVMP allows private property owners to work with the borough to eliminate invasive species on the dunes. The Japanese Black Pine is a primary target. Lomax reports that this species is not beneficial and is invasive as well as susceptible to the pine bark beetle, which is deadly to the tree. A current plan to remove these trees is underway at the 109th Street dunes and is being co-sponsored by adjacent property owners. Five pine trees (and invasive vines) will be removed. The roots will remain in place to protect the dunes. The trees will be replaced with indigenous shrubs like the beach plum, etc.

Beach and Bay
Councilmember Robin Casper reported that the Natural Resources Committee will meet with Stockton Advisors on March 30 for a Q&A session. The focus will be on borough efforts regarding beach and bay coastal areas. Numerical data will be used to create a sediment budget with a focus on hot spots. Data will be provided to the Army Corps of Engineers. the American Coastal Coalition, and the Warwick Group Consultants, which is lobbying for beach preservation aid.

Special Recognition
SHPOA was recognized and a Resolution adopted for the upcoming installation of two bicycle repair stations and four bike racks. This $12,000 effort is the 2026 Project of the Year for SHPOA.

ARC
Mayor Tim Carney signed a Proclamation recognizing ARC Clothing/Thrift Store for aiding disabled members of our community. The Proclamation declares that March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Stone Harbor.

Regular Meeting
The first reading of Ordinance 1706 was tabled for further due diligence. This Ordinance entails increasing the number of Club Licenses in the Borough from 2 to 3. The request comes from the American Legion at 117th Street.

Public Comment
There was a comment made against the issuance of a Club License to the American Legion Hall by the widow of a former Commander who felt this would denigrate the mission of the Legion by making it a virtual public drinking hall.

To view legislation discussed at the meeting, please click: https://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Regular-Meeting-Agenda-and-Back-up-for-3-17-2026-Website.pdf

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/