Times Talk
The current water tower bathrooms/ comfort station on 95th Street.
95th STREET RESTROOMS TO BE RENOVATED
This fall, the 95th Street restrooms in Stone Harbor will be renovated into a brand-new comfort station. The Borough went out to bid this spring and recently awarded a contract to R. Maxwell Construction, of Pleasantville, in the amount of $350,000.
The project includes many updates to the existing building, which currently features men’s and women’s restrooms. The interiors of the rooms will undergo a complete renovation to add functionality and accessibility to the area.
In addition to updated restrooms, the new comfort station will include a separately accessible family restroom, a janitor closet, and a new plumbing chase. Janitors will have access to the closet from the outside and will no longer need access to the pump station building to get to a service sink and supplies.
The family restroom will be ADA accessible and will accommodate motorized transportation. Each of the three restrooms in the building will include a baby-changing station. Any existing plumbing features will be replaced with water-conserving fixtures and faucets. The improvements also include new tile flooring, lighting, and a new HVAC unit to service the restrooms.
The building will not need to be expanded for these changes. Instead, the interior will be demolished and rebuilt with a new layout to include the additions. The number of sinks, toilets and urinals will remain the same as in the current restrooms.
Construction will begin in September and is anticipated to be completed in November.
Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Joan Matthews, event chair and winner of the Rachel H. Sloan Best of Show Award and Lynn Covington Tri-Color Award.
AVALON GARDEN CLUB FLOWER SHOW WINNERS
“Down the Shore” was the theme for the Avalon Garden Club’s 36th annual Flower Show, held June 9 at Avalon Community Hall. The theme for this year’s categories were inspired by Avalon itself and its landmark kite-girl statue at the entrance to town at 30th Street and Ocean Drive.
The display involved entries from 10 categories, such as Horticultural, Tea Tray Arrangements, Plotting Table, Hanging Baskets, and miniature entries. Mayor Martin L. Pagliughi was on hand to pre-sent some of the special awards.
The contest was open to any amateur who wished to enter. Those who entered the Artistic classes were able to show off their creativity in many different categories. Winners from the Artistic classes included Joan Matthews (Rachel H. Sloan Best of Show Award and Lynn Covington Tri-Color Award); Babs Delorey (President’s Award); and Sharon Cooper, Serena Smith and Cheryl Mattson (tied for the Bonnie F. Fessie Award; Cooper also took home the Avalon Mayor’s Table Award and Mattson the Petite Award for miniature arrangements).
Cooper won Best of Show in the Horticulture category, and tied with Rosemarie Dvorak for Excellence in Horticulture, which honors the participant with the most overall blue ribbons. Barb Bahnsen won the Marion Poley Award as the novice with the most blue ribbons. Liz Garzotto won the Catherine McMenamin Award for her challenge plant entry, and Susan McLaughlin took home the Viewer’s Choice in Roses Award. Additional blue ribbon winners include: Pam Thompson, Leslie Branda, Janet Cass, Susan Collins, Karen Dechert, Diane Green, Peter Kindsvatter, Kimberly Mastriana, Kathy Morgan, Jane Paschal, Mary Paul, Corine Reynolds, Elaine Scattergood, Claire Thalman, Barbara Thomas, and Nanci Walsh.
‘I LOVE AVALON’ VIDEO CONTEST IS BACK
The Avalon Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the 7 Mile Business Community Association to hold the “I LOVE AVALON” video contest for the second consecutive summer. The campaign encourages residents and visitors to submit short, family-fun videos showcasing what they love best about Avalon.
“Feedback from vacationers and residents is the best kind of advertising,” said John O’Dea, the Chamber president. “I love everything about this island, and it’s great to hear from others the various restaurants, stores, recreation and so forth that they love as well.”
Video submissions can be sent via email to info@visitavalonnj.com or uploaded to facebook.com/avalonnewjersey, the official Avalon Tourism Facebook page. Be sure to tag the video #ILoveAvalonNJ.
Voting for the best videos will take place throughout the summer. The contestant whose submission receives the most votes at the end of the season will receive a gift basket, and the video will be featured on the Avalon Tourism website, visitavalonnj.com.
Whether it’s surfing or fishing, miniature golfing or taking a walk on the beach, the shopping, dining and everything in between, be sure to highlight your very favorite aspects of Avalon. For more information, email info@visitavalonnj.com or call the Avalon Welcome Center at 609-967-3936.
Bill Dougherty, Larry Kratzer, Kim Stevenson, and Karen Lane of the Stone Harbor Go Green Committee during the 2017 Go Green Fair.
SUSTAINABLE JERSEY AWARDS GRANTS
Sustainable Jersey awarded grants to the boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor to help the communities make progress toward a sustainable future. They are two of 32 municipalities to receive grants throughout the state.
Avalon received $20,000, earmarked for the Diamondback Terrapin Nesting Habitat Enhancement Pilot Project.
Stone Harbor received $2,000 to help fund both the Go Green Fair and the community’s education and outreach efforts. The Stone Harbor Go Green Team and other borough departments worked hard on environmental issues throughout 2017 and were able to earn the Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification. The borough plans to educate residents and visitors of Stone Harbor about the importance of an environmentally friendly future and the proper way to recycle.
These efforts have already made an impact on the community. Recently, the borough moved forward with an ordinance to ban the release of helium balloons and luminaries into the atmosphere. They have started the discussion to ban all single-use plastics. If approved, the ordinance will go into effect in 2019. The Sustainable Jersey grant money will also be used to purchase reusable bags to distribute around the community to promote the eco-friendly legislation.
The Sustainable Jersey grants are funded by PSEG, the Public Service Enterprise Group. Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit organization that aids communities in their pursuit of a clean and green future. The grants are provided each year to communities that promote renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, and more.
A rendering of the 93rd Street Pump Station.
STONE HARBOR ANNOUNCES WATER PROJECTS
The Borough of Stone Harbor recently shared plans for the 93rd Street Sanitary and Stormwater Pump Station Project. The two tangent projects at the same site will improve the quality of life for all residents of Stone Harbor.
The sanitary sewer pump station is being replaced to improve the reliability and efficiency of the system, and in part because of its age. The stormwater pump station is a part of the borough’s comprehensive storm and flood hazard resiliency program to reduce and minimize the flooding in this area of Stone Harbor.
The Borough received a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection through the Flood Hazard Risk, Reduction, and Resiliency Grant Program in the amount of $2,703,804. The Department of Environmental Protection was allocated Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for this program.
“The storm pump station is just one part of the Borough’s stormwater master plan,” said Stone Harbor Business Administrator Jill Gougher. “It includes other initiatives such as green infrastructure and groundwater recharge, bulkhead and marine structures, and additional future stormwater pump station projects. The Borough has recognized our barrier island community will continue to see the impacts of sea-level rise and increasing storm intensity. Increased sea-level rise and increasing storm intensity will reduce the effectiveness of the current storm system’s ability to handle stormwater runoff.”
The existing storm drain outfalls will be removed to make room for the new equipment. Among the improvements are gravity storm drainage pipes and a new water pump system. The existing sanitary sewer pump system will be converted into a stormwater pump station, and a new sanitary sewer pump system will be built in the area. These stormwater pump stations are designed to protect the area by pumping away large volumes of water, which minimizes flooding and related dangers.
The Borough intends to repave the area and make sanitation and drainage improvements to the streets in the project area, which includes Sunset Drive from 92nd Street to 96th Street and the associated street ends, 93rd Street from Sunset Drive to Third Avenue, Sunset Drive from the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor to 89th Street, and 89th Street from Sunset Drive to Third Avenue.
The two pump station projects are to be completed in phases with some work occurring at the same time. The sanitary pump station is scheduled to start construction in the fall of 2018 and be completed by the spring of 2019. Construction on the stormwater pump station will start once the sanitary pump station is complete and should be completed by the early part of 2021.
For more information about the project, go to shnj.org.
The zoo’s new baby giraffe, Kifeda.
ZOO THROWS PARTY FOR ITS 40TH
The Cape May County Zoo celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday, June 9 with family-fun activities and speeches from Cape May County Freeholders Gerald Thornton and Marie Hayes, state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak, and New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way.
“We are extremely proud that the Cape May County Zoo has provided families with a free educational destination for the past 40 years, and we look forward to many more years of happy memories,” said Park’s Director Ed Runyon.
During the day, the names of the zoo’s baby giraffe (Kifeda) and baby Bongo (Ziggy) were announced to the pub-lic. There were bounce houses for children, a stilt walker, steel drum player, and area radio stations broadcasting live
Posing at the Cape May County Zoo 40th Anniversary Celebration are (from left) Freeholder Marie Hayes, Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak, state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton and Freeholder Jeffrey L. Pierson.
from the event. The zoo also handed out free items with their 40th Anniversary logo. As attendees walked through the park and visited with the animals, they were able to stop at informational tables that were set up to inform the public of the zoo’s conservation efforts for the animals.
The Cape May County Zoo was initiated in 1978 by Leon Fulginiti, the parks director at the time, with the support of the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders. When it first opened, it was situated on 1 acre of land. It was expanded over the years to include 18 acres by 1993. The following year, the county acquired a tract of land south of the park, which enable the zoo to grow to 52 acres. That expansion was the biggest change with the zoo’s “Savanna.”
In addition to a milestone anniversary and latest arrivals, the Cape May County Zoo will soon be home to gibbon monkeys that will be a welcome addition to the new Primate Point building, as the zoo has never had gibbons there.
The Cape May County Zoo has been entertaining families for generations at no cost, thanks to its generous donors and initiatives. The park is open every day except for Christmas from 10am to 4:30pm daily. For details, go to cmczoo.com.
Among the 20 herbaceous perennials that will appeal to butterflies are (clockwise from top left) Rough Blazing Star, Black Eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed and Upland Ironweed.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY HABITAT IN THE WORKS
The Borough of Avalon is working on a new Monarch Butterfly Habitat at Armacost Park to provide a setting for migratory pollinators and birds to stop during migration and help revive the numbers of important pollinators on the East Coast. The Department of Public Works and landscapers are in the process of creating the habitat at the park, located at 71st and Ocean Drive, and the Borough will maintain it each year. No completion date has been announced.
“The Monarch Butterfly Habitat will provide a good ecological benefit for our community,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “We are hopeful that the property owners can learn information regarding pollinators and how important they are to the eco-system. Fundamentals of the habitat can be replaced on a smaller scale on individual properties throughout the Borough.”
Pagliughi and Dr. David La Puma, director of the New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory, started to research the creation of a habitat in 2016. The space on the northwest corner of the park has long been preserved in the Cape May County Open Space Program and it was determined to be the perfect spot for the habitat. The project was designed by Scott Taylor from Taylor Design Group, Inc. of Marlton.
Plans call for 20 herbaceous perennials and woody species that appeal to pollinators such as purple coneflower, cardinal flower, switchgrass, golden alexanders, and seaside goldenrod. Additional woody species include eastern red cedar, elderberry and beach plum. Benches and informational signage will also be added so the community as well as area students will have an opportunity to sit and learn about pollinators and how they contribute to the environment. The hope is to provide plant species that will attract pollinator species to the area, including the monarch butterfly.
For more information about the project, go to avalonboro.net.
The new Stone Harbor map.
STONE HARBOR UNVEILS ‘BOGY’ MAPS
The Borough of Stone Harbor recently unveiled its new town maps, with an original design and artwork by local artist and Ocean City School District art teacher Aaron “Bogy” Bogushefsky. The most recent maps, designed in 2013, featured only the business district. Since then, many new businesses have opened and locations have changed. Now, any guests who view the maps in the 96 Street kiosks will be aware of up-to-date points of interest from all over the town.
“We felt Bogy was the artist to bring our vision to life,” said Stone Harbor Recreation Director Miranda Duca. “We have aspirations to commission him for a map of the business district as well, but the current town map featured in the kiosks shows our visitors what they can explore in a short distance!”
Created in his trademark whimsical style, the map is Bogy’s interpretation of Stone Harbor. Although most of his art is Ocean City-based, Bogy spent time in Stone Harbor as a child, playing soccer, fishing and clamming, so he enjoyed researching many of the spots he knew so well. The colorful and detailed maps were done in watercolor and ink.
“The goal for the design was to capture all of the borough’s points of interest,” Bogushefsky said. “Although it’s not all the facts, it’s got that Stone Harbor flavor.”
Bogy began his career as a surfing artist, and loves to paint marine art, as well as all things Ocean City and South Jersey. As a special signature, he includes a slice of watermelon in all his paintings, although you might not see it at first glance. Bogy challenges any Stone Harbor visitors or residents to find the hidden watermelon within the map!
More information about Bogy and his work can be found on bogyart.com.
BIKE PATH EXPANDED IN AVALON
Bike riders in Avalon will welcome the newly expanded bicycle path on Avalon Avenue and First Avenue this summer. Working with the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association, the Borough was successful in creating a path that connects to Avalon’s existing bicycle path along both sides of Dune Drive south of the business district for safer bicycling throughout the community.
The project was funded by a grant received by the Board of Cape May County Chosen Freeholders in November totaling $2.07 million, with approximately $70,000 allocated to the completion of this project and the rest being put toward Surfside Park, which is expected to break ground this fall.
“We are very fortunate to have received full funding for the expansion of the bicycle path in the north end of our community,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Avalon is a very active bicycling community and the Borough is now able to provide a clear path that bikers can enjoy, and motorists can respect. We are very appreciative of the efforts of the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association on this project, and all safe-biking initiatives in our community.”
The project included adding lanes to portions of First Avenue and Avalon Avenue as well as bicycle signage and street markings indicating which direction to go to follow the path. Borough engineer Thomas Thornton of Mott MacDonald worked with 7 Mile Publishing and Creative to design a bike map that shows the new and existing path as intended to guide bicyclists this summer. The map is included on the Borough’s website, avalonboro.net, found under the About Avalon tab on the home page.
The Borough of Avalon and AHLOA provide a safe bicycling community and this expansion aims to alleviate congestion within the business community. Bicyclists must obey the same rules of the road as drivers operating a vehicle, including stopping at stop signs and yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks as required by the state. Anyone under the age of 17 who rides a bicycle, is a passenger on a bicycle or is towed as a passenger by a bicycle is required to wear a safety helmet. For additional rules and safety tips, check out facebook.com/aholanj (AHLOA’s facebook page) or go to avalonboro.net.
