CAPE MAY POINT — Preparing for an uptick in seasonal traffic includes education and communication, especially regarding golf carts, also known as low-speed vehicles (LSVs).
During a Borough Commission meeting March 25, Deputy Mayor Elise Geiger said she recently attended a forum hosted by the Cape May Police Department on LSVs. Representatives from Cape May Point, Cape May and West Cape May attend, as well as those from the rental companies.
“It’s now the third year running and the goal is to educate and communicate with individuals how to use these vehicles safely,” Geiger said. “It’s interesting for people of Cape May Point to know that all of the rental companies are involved.”
Geiger said the rental companies provide literature summarizing critical safety regulations, including that the driver must have a valid driver’s license, child restraint requirements like in passenger vehicles and that LSVs are subject to all motor vehicle regulations.
“The point to be made is that the Cape May Police will be enforcing these rules throughout the island, including Cape May Point,” Geiger said. “We have a copy of their flier, which we have modified to make a little bit more Cape May Point focused.”
Once the police department approves the modified flier, Geiger said her goal is to add a copy to all rental property mailings and make the fliers available to the public.
“The ask is to all of the people who rent their properties, to please make this information available to the renters,” Geiger said. “This full island program is to increase awareness and safety for the use of these vehicles, because summer is coming.”
Light trespassing ordinance memo
Commissioners reviewed a memo from the Environmental Commission on light trespassing. Mayor Anita VanHeeswyk said before the commissioners could consider any action, it would need to go to the Planning Board, so it was most efficient to send there first.
“The Planning Board has been doing great work on a series of things that need to be adjusted or need to be done,” VanHeeswyk said. “We can discuss it again afterward.”
Geiger asked if they should be giving the Planning Board direction for discussion.
“You can make an ordinance, very similar to what they have in Cape May, but those ordinances become very difficult to enforce,” she said. “My thoughts have always been that what we should start with is adding a lighting plan into the requirements for getting a permit, in terms of construction, major renovation or a landscaping plan.”
Another aspect Geiger thought should be included is an education plan, which might be something for the Environmental Commission since it started working on light trespassing.
“‘Be a good light neighbor,’ and what does that mean,” Geiger said. “Then we have various ways of making this available to the general public, education and lighting plan, rather than jumping in the whole way for a full-fledged ordinance on light trespass.”
VanHeeswyk agreed with Geiger, who is a member of the Planning Board and would have a chance to discuss the concept with them.
Geiger asked if light trespass would come from the commission since it is not a land-use portion. Solicitor John Amenhauser said the lighting ordinance would be part of site plan standards, otherwise part of the land development ordinance, and that the Planning Board would need to weigh in on any recommendations before an ordinance could be enacted.
Atlantic City Electric
The commission also discussed a resolution opposing Atlantic City Electric’s 17.23% rate increase and calling on the ACE to withdraw its application to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for an additional 8% increase, which is up for consideration in April.
Administrator Ed Grant said he attended a mayor’s round table meeting where the resolution was on the agenda.
“They shared that the average cost is about $90 to $160 a month for the average household, as a result of that 17.23% increase,” Grant said. “I’d recommend that support because it’s going against that approved 17.23% rate increase and another 8% increase to go before the BPU next month. So, if you think you felt bad now, here comes another one right after.”
Geiger noted that the issue is the supply and demand of electricity, and it will be faced for a long time to come. Grant said he is continuing to research the feasibility of participating in the South Jersey Cooperative for electricity.
Other business
VanHeeswyk said she signed off on the NJ PACT-REAL climate change rules letter from Cape May County, which asks Gov. Phil Murphy to take an incremental approach in adopting these rules.
“The county has been on board with being against these rules that the governor is putting in place,” she said. “There is a deadline in August, and the county is asking all of the mayors of towns to sign off on how bad it will be for Cape May County.”
Commissioner Suzanne Yunghans said the Department of Public Works is getting the borough ready for spring and summer. The sprinklers at Lake Lily were checked and are in good shape, and six of the valves were replaced on sprinklers at the circle.
“Work on the Public Works building has started,” Yunghans said. “The gas line was moved and footings are in and anybody driving down Lighthouse Avenue will see that it’s finally happening.”
She also noted that Clean-Flo repaired the bubblers at Lake Lily and applied the winter warrior treatment. The borough is waiting on a follow-up report.
Resident Sandy Allison asked about controlling debris created amid the construction.
“A lot of the stuff they’re using is not wood but plastics, which is really hazardous to our health and going to wind up in the lake and our food source,” Allison said. “Some towns have started to address it.”
VanHeeswyk said they can see what other towns are doing and look into the issue.
“I think often times we’re ahead of the curve, and on this [issue] I guess we’re not,” VanHeeswyk said. “If there are ways of capturing [the dust], that is a good thing. It’s an important issue.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
