Times Talk
Mayor Tim Carney administered the oath of office to Michael G. Black III, officially welcoming Stone Harbor’s newest full-time firefighter/EMT to the department.
MICHAEL BLACK III SWORN IN AS SHFD FIREFIGHTER & EMT
Michael G. Black III was sworn in as Stone Harbor’s newest career firefighter and EMT by Mayor Tim Carney on April 21, the logical next step in his life of public service.
Black, who already was serving with the Stone Harbor Fire Department but not on a full-time basis, has been a very active member of the New Jersey emergency community. He has volunteered with the Atlantic County Land Search & Rescue Team, the Dorothy Volunteer Fire Company in Weymouth Township, and the Milmay Volunteer Fire Company in Buena Vista Township.
He comes from a family of firefighters, with his father serving as the assistant fire chief at Milmay Volunteer Fire Company.
Patrick Rosenello being sworn in to Cape May County Commissioners Office with his wife Michelle and son Peyton alongside.
ROSENELLO NAMED TO COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Former North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello was recently appointed to serve on the Cape May County Board of Commissioners to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of commissioner Melanie Collette. He will serve the remainder of Collette’s term, which expires Dec. 31. He was sworn in on April 14 by former New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Donohue.
“Stepping into the commissioner role at this point in my career is both an honor and a natural progression,” Rosenello said. “I’ve spent many years working at the local level, and this opportunity allows me to bring that experience to a broader stage, helping shape policy and priorities that impact the entire county.”
Rosenello departs the North Wildwood governing body after more than 22 years of service. First elected to City Council in 2004, he served for a decade alongside Mayor Aldo Palombo and Mayor William Henfey. In 2014, he was elected as the city’s 17th mayor, a position he held through the end of 2025. He returned to City Council in January 2026.
As a young boy, Rosenello moved to North Wildwood from Levittown, Pa. He attended Wildwood Catholic High School and graduated from The Catholic University of America in 1995. He began his career in public service as a legislative aide to U.S. Rep. Sue Kelly and later served as communications director for state Sen. Nick Asselta. Prior to his election to City Council, Rosenello also served on the North Wildwood School Board.
“The biggest difference from my time as mayor is the scope,” he said. “As mayor, my focus was on the day-to-day needs of one community. As a commissioner, the perspective widens, balancing the interests of multiple municipalities while addressing countywide infrastructure, public safety, and economic development.”
In addition to his service on the governing body, Rosenello has contributed to the community through numerous organizations, including the Greater Wildwood Little League Board of Directors, Wildwood Catholic Advisory Council, Naval Air Station Wildwood, Cape May County Bridge Commission, Cape May County Open Space Board, and the North Wildwood Joint Planning Board.
Looking ahead, Rosenello said he is eager to begin working with his new colleagues. “What I’m most looking forward to is the collaboration,” he said. “The Board of Commissioners has a strong foundation of experience, and I’m eager to work alongside my colleagues to build consensus and move initiatives forward that benefit all of Cape May County.”
Work on the 96th Street bridge is anticipated to begin this fall and continue until the spring of 2029.
96TH STREET BRIDGE PROJECT TO START IN FALL
Work will begin this fall on the 96th Street bridge with the goal of improving traffic flow and marine access while updating the bridge’s infrastructure.
“The bridge has been deteriorating, and the county has had spot repairs for years and years,” said Stone Harbor Mayor Tim Carney. “It just reached its end of life.”
The first phase of construction will continue until the summer of 2027. This will not change or impede traffic flow for cars or boats, as the construction will begin outside of the current bridge footprint.
The second stage is set for September 2027 through the spring of 2028. A full vertical clearance for marine traffic will be created, and the existing span will be removed. During this stage, cars will need to access Stone Harbor from an alternate entrance.
For the summer of 2028, the town will install a temporary bridge span to make sure traffic runs smoothly throughout the busy season. For larger vessels, there will be a weekly access schedule coordinated through the construction contractor and the Coast Guard.
The third stage is scheduled from the fall of 2028 to the spring of 2029. This will include the installation of the new bascule span, a type of drawbridge. Marine access through the channel will remain open when construction allows but will be closed off at some points.
The final testing of the bridge will occur in the summer of 2029, and it is expected to be fully opened to the public that summer. Some occasional delays can be expected as system testing is run throughout the season. Finishing dates are expected to change as the construction begins; however, the town aims to maintain normal traffic flows for vehicles and marine transportation when able.
This is a long-awaited project for Stone Harbor, as the 96th Street bridge is a major connector from town to the mainland. It also is an historic landmark: In 1911, the 96th Street bridge was dedicated by Gov. Woodrow Wilson, who went on to become the 28th president of the United States. This project will ensure mainland access from 96th Street stays a viable option for many decades to come.
For updates on every step of the 96th Street bridge replacement process, please visit stoneharbornj.org.
Joe Dvorak, Patricia Fleischmann, Nancy Hudanich, Barbara Juzaitis and Rev. Juliann Henry, MDIV plant a 9” River Birch Tree during Avalon’s Arbor Day ceremony.
RIVER BIRCH TREE PLANTED IN ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
More than 50 people gathered for Avalon’s Arbor Day celebration on April 24. Perfect spring weather set the scene as a 9-foot river birch tree was planted on a Dune Drive island at 51st Street. The tree was planted and blessed, and will beautify the area while contributing to a more sustainable future. The annual event is a collaborative effort between the Borough of Avalon, the Avalon Environmental Commission, and the Avalon Garden Club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
A look at the dune erosion on 20th Street, where back passing will take place.
AVALON’S BACKPASSING PROJECT PROCEEDING
Avalon’s sand backpassing project to shore up beaches that were severely eroded by coastal storms and blizzards since last fall began April 13 and will continue until completion, with no end date yet announced.
This project includes moving 63,000 cubic yards of sand to the beaches between 9th and 15th street in Avalon to build up the beach paths, protective dunes, and the beach. The sand is being taken from a borrow area between the Avalon Fishing Pier and 40th Street. The project is being handled by Fred M. Schiavone Construction Inc., which was awarded the contract by the Avalon Borough Council on March 25.
Work hours are overnight from 10pm-8am on weekdays. During this time, the beach paths from 9th Street to 40th Street are closed overnight. Beaches from 23rd Street to 40th Street should be open each morning if it is safe to do so. Beaches from 9th Street to 22nd Street are currently closed to the public as erosion has made them unsafe.
On April 6, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew announced $99 million of federal funding will go to South Jersey beaches from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This includes $46 million for Avalon and Stone Harbor for beach-fill projects. This would be a hydraulic beach fill; however, Avalon’s backpassing is a separate project, 100% covered by the government’s emergency fund.
Go to avalonboro.net for continual updates.
STONE HARBOR PARKING RATE UPDATE
Paid parking has been a big topic of conversation for the Borough of Stone Harbor for the last few months. Parking across New Jersey beach towns has been steadily increasing in recent years, now averaging around $2 per hour.
Two years ago, Stone Harbor switched from parking meters to completely mobile parking payment through the app ParkMobile. At the time of implementation, the charge was $1 per hour plus ParkMobile’s 35-cent fee for each credit card transaction.
This year, the Stone Harbor borough’s website was updated to list parking as $2.50 an hour. After receiving public pushback, on April 21, the Borough Council members met to discuss the change in parking prices. This resulted in the borough lowering the price to $2 an hour, but continued discussions on parking payment and the 94th Street and Second Avenue free parking lot are ongoing.
Paid parking for Stone Harbor began May 1 for this season, and as of now, parking is $2 per hour for every zone except for Zone 87522, where payment is $20 for all-day parking. New hourly limits for specific zones have been implemented as well. For specific parking regulations, review limitations on the ParkMobile sign for each zone or visit the “parking” section on the borough website, stoneharbornj.org.