Times Talk
AVALON WELCOMES TWO NEW POLICE OFFICERS
Evan Hallowell and Michael Wiel were sworn in as members of the Avalon Police Department on July 23.
Hallowell, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., holds a degree in criminology from West Virginia University. He previously served as a member of the Ocean City and Stone Harbor police departments. He resides in Avalon.
Wiel grew up in Cape May County. He was a firefighter for three years in Wildwood and is still a volunteer with the Marmora Volunteer Fire Department. In 2023, he began his law enforcement career with the New Jersey State Human Services Police.
“I think it is beneficial for locals to be hired for various reasons,” said Police Chief Jeff Christopher. “I think they are more invested in the community that they are a part of – whether they were born and raised here or reside here now.”
The new patrolmen were selected through a highly competitive hiring process.
“In Avalon, you have to have an associate’s degree in law enforcement or criminal justice, or you have to have already gone through the special Class 2 Police Academy to even apply,” Christopher said.
Prospective officers are then subject to a physical fitness test and an intensive background check that involves reviewing their social media accounts, prior jobs, school records, and much more.
“We just want to make sure we are hiring the highest quality people,” Christopher said.
The Avalon Police Department is ranked in the top 1% of all the departments in the state due to its success over the last two accreditation cycles. Hallowell and Wiel have started their two-month field training, and they look forward to serving the Avalon community.
TOWNS CELEBRATE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
On Aug. 5, residents and visitors gathered in Avalon and Stone Harbor to celebrate National Night Out, an annual event designed to strengthen the connection between communities and local law enforcement. Each town hosted a lively, family-friendly evening filled with activities, games, and opportunities to meet first responders in a relaxed setting.
In Avalon, children enjoyed face painting, posed for photos inside police cars, and explored the Avalon Beach Patrol’s rowboat. Firefighters engaged kids with interactive games and offered tours of their fire truck, providing an exciting, hands-on look at their work. The event encouraged curiosity, learning, and plenty of smiles.
Just a few miles away, Stone Harbor’s celebration featured its own lineup of attractions. Families climbed aboard fire trucks, learned safety tips from the Stone Harbor Fire Department, and toured police boats with officers from the Stone Harbor Police Department.
Though each community offered unique experiences, the shared focus was clear –celebrating safety, connection, and togetherness. Complimentary hot dogs rounded out the summer evening that left members of the public with greater appreciation for those who keep their towns safe.
FALL BULK TRASH PICKUP DATES
Summer is winding down, and it’s the time of year when old belongings are on their way out. Whether it be broken furniture, old appliances, or general junk around the house you’re looking to get rid of, you are in luck.
For Avalon residents, bulk trash pickup begins at 7am on Sept. 8. Residents can place the appropriate items on their curbs starting Aug. 29. Construction and remodeling materials are not considered bulk trash items and should not be discarded, as they are not collected at any time.
For Stone Harbor residents, bulk trash pickup will take place on Sept. 15 and Oct. 20. The criteria for items eligible to be picked up are the same as Avalon’s: appliances, furniture, and large trash items are permitted, but building and construction materials are not. For more information in Stone Harbor, call 609-368-7311.
Hazardous waste, such as propane or paint, is not picked up in either town.
The Habitat for Humanity Restore also accepts most household items, tools, outdoor items, and even building materials. This serves as a great option for those who want to get rid of items at any point during the year. The organization even allows you to schedule a free pickup for items at your home, or you can donate the items at the organization’s Cape May County location: 20 Court House South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House.
Meteorologist Joe Martucci
METEOROLOGIST JOINS AVALON WEATHER EMERGENCY TEAMS
Veteran meteorologist Joe Martucci was added to Avalon’s emergency management and floodplain teams by the borough council on July 9. Martucci will forecast the weather on Avalon’s websites and social media channels during impactful and large coastal storms and events.
“I’m going to produce a video just for Avalon that I will do before a storm event, during a storm event, and then a written recap after,” Martucci said. “The town will dessiminate [the content] however they see fit.”
The American Meteorological Society has recognized Martucci by awarding him its #1 Certified Digital Meteorologist Seal. He is also certified broadcast meteorologist and drone pilot. Being a Jersey native complements his experience and expertise.
“The Cape May Bubble is something that I know,” he said. “There is scientific proof that shows lower Cape May County and even Avalon get a third less thunderstorms a year than the rest of New Jersey. And that we do see those thunderstorms happening a little bit later in the day than the rest of New Jersey.”
In addition to storm updates, Avalon residents will also receive informational videos from Martucci as part of the agreement.
“Residents will get six evergreen videos a year about things that are going on in emergency management, storm preperation, or ways to be more weather aware,” Martucci said.
Homeowners in the town receive a 35% discount on flood insurance premiums as a result of Avalon’s Class 3 rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System. Having Martucci’s guidance and expertise is meant to further make the community safer during times of natural disaster.
Incoming and outgoing AHLOA trustees at the annual members meeting on Aug. 9.
FAULK TAKES HELM AT AHLOA MEETING
Warren Faulk was sworn in as president of Avalon Home and Land Owners Association and thanked his predecessor, Tony Newshel, during the group’s annual members meeting Aug. 9. Other board members who were elected and sworn in included: Dan Donohoe, vice president; Joe Killian, treasurer; Diane Zimmerman, and trustees Ken Wensel, Bob Ettorre, Lynne Ewell, Wayne Popowski, and Pat Zimmerman.
AHLOA thanked John Bell for 15 years of service as treasurer. The organization also thanked Joe Dvorak for many years of service that saw him in several roles, including president, vice president, and trustee.
Mayor John McCorristin and Police Chief Jeff Christopher delivered the annual “State of the Borough” address to inform those in attendance about important events and occurrences in the community. Other borough officials on hand included business administrator Scott Wahl, Council president Barbara Juzaitis, vice president Chet Johnson, and other council members. The meeting also featured a Q&A session in which the public was invited to get its concerns addressed.
Speakers from the Flood Insurance Community Meeting (from left): Avalon councilman Sam Wierman, Chrissy Tracy of Heist Insurance Agency, and E. Tyler Adron of floodproofing.com.
AVALON HOLDS MEETING ON FLOOD INSURANCE
Avalon has been recognized for its flood-prevention measures, but that doesn’t mean property owners should forgo flood insurance.
That was the topic of a meeting sponsored by the New Jersey Coastal Coalition hosted by Avalon’s Borough Council and business administrator Scott Wahl on Aug. 19.
Councilman Samuel Wierman discussed the town’s efforts to combat flooding. An informative presentation was given by Chrissy Tracy, vice president of business development at the Heist Insurance Agency. Another insightful presentation was given by E. Tyler Adron, the executive vice president at floodproofing.com.
Property owners at the meeting were invited to have their elevation certificates and insurance policies reviewed by the experts.
“The rates are regulated,” Adron noted. “Whether you go to one agent or another across the country, the rates should technically be the same. But it falls on the agent’s shoulders to rate the property. So, I always say to not shop for flood insurance rates, but for flood insurance knowledge.”
Avalon is just one of two towns in Cape May County to achieve a Class 3 certification rating in the FEMA Community Service Rating program. The system provides discounts on flood insurance premiums in communities that make strong efforts toward flood prevention. Avalon property owners currently receive a 35% discount on flood insurance premiums.
Said Wierman: “It’s everything from providing knowledge through meetings, signage around town, alert systems when there is a flooding event coming, to the physical stuff. It’s building the dune system, having strict building codes, and having flood-proofing. We do as much as we can because we want to get as many points as we can in the CRS system to get to that Class 3 rating.”
For more information, contact floodplain administrator Ed Dean at 609-967-8200.
Sergeant Matthew Ardelean
TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY TO BIKES, TOO
Living or vacationing on Seven Mile Beach means that many ideal destinations are just a short bike ride away. With new biking technology on the rise, there is a lot more to be aware of when taking to the streets on your two-wheeler. Motorbikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and motorized modes of transportation are just a few of the factors to be aware of.
The Avalon Police Department recently released infographics that review and highlight important information, such as the top speeds of certain vehicles and which modes of transportation require helmets and licenses.
“It’s important that everybody knows the laws,” Police Chief Jeff Christopher said. “The bicyclists have to follow the traffic laws just like a motor vehicle. Keep the speed down. The e-bikes have the ability to go fast.”
Several such laws include:
Following speed limits
Yield to pedestrians
Travel in the same direction as motor vehicles
Wear a helmet if under 17 years of age
Have a license and registration for all motorized vehicles
There is a common perception that bicycle riders are legally treated differently from drivers of motor vehicles. However, the law applies to both bikers and drivers equally.
“I want people to know that we put a tremendous amount of effort as a patrol stopping bicyclists to make sure bicyclists are following the laws,” Christopher said. “A lot of people on bikes don’t know that they need to follow the laws. They think they are as responsive as a pedestrian, but they are not.”
The next time you head out for a bike ride on the island, be sure you know the laws and practice safe navigation.