WEST CAPE MAY — The Historic Preservation Commission is launching a new awards program to honor residents who do an outstanding job restoring their historic district homes.
“Preserving these historic structures really helps to maintain the character and the charm that we all love about West Cape May,” Deputy Mayor Susan Hoffman said during a meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 4. Hoffman is the’ liaison to the HPC.
“If you own in our historic district, you know that it is a labor of love,” Hoffman said. “It’s a commitment of time, energy and money. It takes a special person that really wants to do this,” she continued, noting that “there are special permits that need to be filed, there are hearings you need to attend, there are approvals that you need to get” when improving a historic home.
“We’re always saying, ‘Did you do this? You didn’t do that right,’” she said. “We want to try to make them feel good about the work that they’ve done, appreciated and valued for the investment that they’re making in our community.”
Mayor George Dick said, as the owner of a home in the district, he knows what it’s like.
“As someone who lives in a historic house and has done major renovations to it, I appreciate that we want to recognize people,” Dick said. “The borough should recognize people for really preserving the gems that we have in our town.”
Eligible projects can include work completed as far back as 2007, the year the historic district was created, through Dec. 31, 2026.
The HPC is accepting nominations from anyone — including the property owners themselves. Nominations will close March 12, 2027. Awards will be presented in May, which is National Historic Preservation Month.
The program will honor historic renovation efforts across four categories: major renovations, minor renovations, additions built onto existing historic structures and new construction, acknowledging new houses that contribute positively to the district.
Commissioner Ellen McDevitt said the program will help newcomers to the area who aren’t fully aware of the rules and regulations by giving them a template to follow.
Energy efficiency
program approved
Commissioners voted to join an Atlantic City Electric program created to help local governments save money on their energy bills.
Called the Atlantic City Electric Direct Install Program, Hoffman said it gives municipal customers incentives to make energy-efficient building upgrades, such as HVAC or electrical system improvements.
The first step is an energy assessment of the borough’s municipal buildings. In Cape May County, Atlantic City Electric has contracted with Vanguard Building Solutions to do the work. Vanguard analyzes the buildings’ energy consumption and recommends ways to cut power usage.
Hoffman noted that the borough’s four buildings date to 1977 and some of the infrastructure is original.
The program would cover up to 80 percent of the total cost of eligible equipment and installation, including sourcing and labor. The balance would be paid off interest-free over five years. Getting an assessment places West Cape May under no obligation to participate. McDevitt said her first reaction was that it sounded too good to be true.
The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Vanguard to conduct an assessment of the borough’s four municipal buildings.
Engineers report
Borough engineer Anthony Chadwell said work is under way on the West Drive pump station project, although the steel is not expected to arrive for another 12 weeks.
A meeting was scheduled for Nov. 9 with the Cape May County Open Space Board regarding the West Cape May-Cape May City pedestrian bicycle bridge.
Paving will be happening soon on First Avenue. The surface has been milled down to its gravel base and paving is expected to start sometime this week.
Plans for Stevens Street have been sent to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for review.
Work is starting on Phase 2 of the borough’s DEP-mandated watershed improvement plan.
Avoid parking in alleys
McDevitt urged residents to refrain from parking in borough alleyways.
“Apparently, people are parking in the alleyways and the fire trucks cannot get down them,” McDevitt said. “That is a serious issue — you want emergency vehicles to be able to reach your house to extinguish a fire.”
She has spoken with the police department and officers will be actively enforcing the policy, she said.
Bad and good on Halloween
McDevitt said about a dozen teenage boys harassed her and her senior-citizen neighbors over Halloween weekend. They knocked out her screen door and tried three times to break the glass she had installed in its place. They failed to break hers, but broke the front door glass of an elderly couple living nearby.
She and the neighbors called the police, who identified the teenagers and contacted their parents to resolve the harassment issue.
After trick-or-treating was done, Sgt. John Mihal and Ptl. Bob Elwell of the Cape May Police Department returned to the scene to help out. McDevitt confirmed that two officers gave their help completely on their own initiative.
“These two young officers took it upon themselves to go and get a screwdriver and some new clamps for the window for my neighbor’s door. … I just want to thank both of those young men for their kindness.”
Dick noted that Elwell lives in town, serves as the deputy emergency management coordinator and is a volunteer firefighter.
“Community service runs in his veins,” Hoffman said.
Volunteers needed to decorate park
Hoffman reminded residents that volunteers are invited to help decorate Wilbraham Park beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16 ahead of the West Cape May Business Committee Hospitality Night, which is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.
There will also be something different at this year’s Hospitality Night. Hoffman said the Small Business Committee has invited local merchants who lack storefronts — and usually participate in festivals or farmers markets — to set up tents.
She also reminded the public that Christmas parade fundraisers and the Dec. 4 tree lighting are coming up.
Holiday events
— Nov. 12, Behr Brewing spaghetti dinner fundraiser, 5-8 p.m.
— Nov. 13, Cape May Brewing Pint Night fundraiser, 4-8 p.m.
— Nov. 19, Elaine’s, Start the Festivities Party fundraiser, 5-9 p.m.
— Dec. 4, Christmas Tree Lighting, 6 p.m., Wilbraham Park
— Dec. 5, West Cape May Christmas Parade, 5-8 p.m.
By JAMES FITZPATRICK/For the Star and Wave
