WEST CAPE MAY — The Board of Commissioners authorized a grant application to the Cape May County Open Space Board to cover rising costs of the pedestrian/bicycle bridge project.
In March 2025, West Cape May secured an $85,000 state DCA grant for design work on the bridge, followed by a $700,000 DOT grant in October for bridge construction. But since then, climbing materials costs have increased the cost estimate from $700,000 to $1 million.
“The cost of steel and diesel have gone up a little bit, so we want to make sure we have it all covered,” Mayor George Dick said Oct. 28.
He explained that West Cape May had originally met with the county board in May 2024, but after securing the two state grants, the borough didn’t need the additional funding. Now, to account for price increases, the borough is reapplying with an application prepared by Remington & Vernick engineers.
“We’re doing this to make sure that we get the whole thing fully covered,” Dick said. “They pay up to 50% of the project. I think we’re asking them for 35%.”
Borough officials have said previously that they expect grants to cover all bridge expenses except permit fees — a few thousand dollars that West Cape May and Cape May City will split equally.
Watershed plan
Commissioners authorized Remington & Vernick Engineers to prepare Phase 2 of the borough’s watershed MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) improvement plan required by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Phase 1, completed earlier this year, mapped the stormwater system. Phase 2 will identify potential capital improvement projects. County crews will handle storm sewers on county roads and the borough is responsible for the rest. The report is due Jan. 1.
Best practices
The borough earned 42 out of 48 points on its state-mandated 2026 Best Practices Inventory, required for every municipality in the state.
“An excellent score is 34 or greater,” Dick said.
The annual review evaluates municipal performance across key indicators, among them financial administration, emergency services, ethics, procurement, tax collection and transparency.
Parade day Pilates
Commissioners approved a permit for Central Park Farm to host a Pilates event Dec. 5 on Central Avenue, the day of the West Cape May Christmas Parade.
The mayor said there were concerns that the event might not clear out by 3 p.m. to accommodate parade setup, as Central Avenue is closed for band staging. However, Dick said the borough received assurances that the event will clear out by 1 p.m.
Mercantile permits
Commissioners adopted Ordinance 670-26 amending borough code regarding general licensing and adding lead-based paint inspection requirements for rental units. To support the transition, a resolution was passed extending the license renewal deadline to Jan. 31, 2027 to allow time to update the electronic system that manages the licenses.
Dick said the ordinance update defines local business types, establishes fee structures and reflects the current commercial landscape in town.
“For example, short-term rentals didn’t exist the last time,” Dick said, noting that the borough’s licensing code had not been updated in 20 years. The ordinance was unanimously adopted without public comment.
Outdoor seating
Ordinance 671‑26 was adopted to clarify the zoning code regarding outdoor seating definitions.
“Outdoor seating is when you sit outside and get table service,” Dick said. “Patio seating is a couple of tables or a picnic table outside of a pizza shop — two different things.”
Drought update
Commissioner Ellen McDevitt presented the updated New Jersey drought map showing that red zones have disappeared statewide, although Cape May County remains “extremely dry.”
“Cape May County is one of the few drought warning areas in the whole state,” McDevitt said. “You can see that we are still not out of the woods.”
Even though New Jersey recorded its wettest January-to-September period since 1918, localized dry conditions show that “just because we get some rain” doesn’t mean the problem is resolved, she said.
Parade fundraising
McDevitt urged residents to get ready for the 60th annual Christmas parade Dec. 5, and reported the success of recent fundraisers, including events at Ostara’s Coffee House and the Chalfonte Fried Chicken Dinner.
The standout was a brunch at Rea’s Farm on Sunday, Oct. 25, when the Ramble Crew, a group of 13 musicians who play free performances at the Chalfonte Hotel each summer, donated their time.
McDevitt credited former mayor Pamela Kaithern.
“If it hadn’t been for her, this would not have happened,” she said.
Controlled burn
The West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company recently conducted a controlled burn in the municipal parking lot for West Cape May Elementary School students. It taught some important fire safety lessons to the students and helped ease the fear that some children have of seeing firefighters in their full equipment and breathing apparatus.
Wilbraham Park
Commissioner Susan Hoffman announced that volunteers will begin decorating Wilbraham Park at 10 a.m. Nov. 16 to prepare for Hospitality Night, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 21.
“We will light them for that Friday and then we’ll go dark again until the tree lighting,” Hoffman said.
The West Cape May tree lighting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Cape May is at 7 p.m. and Congress Hall is at 8 p.m., she said.
“Remember, we’re the first tree lighting in the neighborhood,” she said. “I’m biased, but ours is the best, so hopefully you’ll be able to stop by.”
Engineer’s report
Borough engineer Anthony Chadwell said work is expected to begin on the Fourth Avenue and West Drive pump station project, and the First Avenue road project the week of Nov. 2.
The pump station work will start with site preparation because the steel has not arrived yet. Once materials arrive, a concrete pad will be built, followed by the piling and steel structure. Chadwell said the generators will not be up for “quite a few weeks.”
Residents who live on First Avenue will have access to their properties throughout the entire construction period, he said.
Public comment
Kaithern expressed appreciation to William King, the Ramble Crew, Rea’s Farm Market, Obscura Brewery, Cape May Winery and the Craig family for their support of the West Cape May Christmas Parade.
“It was really nice coming together as a community,” she said of the brunch event. “I don’t think there was anybody there who didn’t have a smile on their face.”
– By JAMES FITZPATRICK/For the Cape May Star and Wave
