CAPE MAY POINT — Deputy Mayor Elise Geiger said an agreement has been reached on the key terms of the police shared service agreement with Cape May.
“It represents a compromise by both parties, and most importantly, establishes a clear framework on how the fee is established and calculated in the future,” Geiger said during the Oct. 28 meeting, adding she had many thanks for the staff, Chief Finance Officer Jim Craft and the advisory committee composed of Andy Rusnak, Peter Dugre, Jim Imbriaco, Jim Hull and John Auerbach.
Geiger added that the advisory group members made themselves available at a moment’s notice for questions, brainstorming, strategy sessions and feedback.
“Everybody in Cape May Point should thank them and I highly recommend the use of our talented citizens in Cape May Point for any of these thorny issues or items in the future,” Geiger said. “It was really great to have them.”
The next step for the shared service agreement will be contract development and fine-tuning.
“So, I will quote Yogi Berra, ‘It ain’t over ’til it’s over,’” Geiger said.
Lead-based paint inspections
Borough Commission introduced an ordinance implementing the state requirements for lead-based paint inspections for properties with rentals of six months or more.
Clerk Elaine Wallace said the state law requiring property inspections also needed to be adopted by the municipality.
Geiger asked whether the six-month rental period could be stated in the ordinance. Solicitor John Amenhauser said the ordinance would need to be amended.
“I think by putting specific six months in there, we do sort of hamstring ourselves if that does change in the future,” Amenhauser said. “We could always amend [it], as opposed to just letting it stay.”
Wallace said the ordinance would apply to six homes. She added that the rental permit application asks whether the homeowners have renters for six months or more.
“They also have to answer whether or not that person has changed, because it’s every two years unless you get a new tenant,” Wallace said. “And then you have to have it.”
Geiger asked if the residents of the six properties would be notified about the inspection. Wallace said the borough notifies the lead inspectors, who then notify the property owners and set up an appointment.
Wallace said the lead inspectors are acting on behalf of the borough, through an agreement with Cape May.
House numbers
Geiger reminded residents that the enforcement of visible house numbers will begin Nov. 1, with an expected compliance date of Dec. 15.
Borough code requires owners or occupants of buildings to place a number on the building so that it is visible from the street and no less than 4 inches tall.
“Legibility from the street is key in safety and preservation of property in case of an emergency,” Geiger said. “Today we are going to introduce amendments [including] the house number needs to be a minimum of 4 inches, down from 5.”
Other business
Mayor Anita VanHeeswyk said the borough receives a dividend from the Joint Insurance Fund every year, and this year’s check was for $1,913.
“We are applying it as a credit against our 2016 JIF assessment, so it helps us reduce our cost for insurance,” she said.
Commissioner Suzanne Yunghans reminded residents to be mindful to recognize and protect Public Works staff when their equipment and trucks are on the side of the road.
“They’re often on ladders or wielding heavy equipment or involved in taking down a risky tree limb, and they need space,” Yunghans said. “To ensure a safe environment, if you see them, please drive a different way around them so that they have the room to do their work safely.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
