VILLAS — Engineer Andrew McTague updated Lower Township Council on capital projects May 18.
Four streets in Diamond Beach are scheduled to be milled and paved starting mid-May and are scheduled to be completed mid-June. The streets are Madison Avenue between Seaview and Pacific avenues; Atlantic Avenue from the start of Seapointe through the boundary of Wildwood Crest, near Jefferson Avenue, Austin to Pacific Avenues, and Richmond Avenue between Park Boulevard and Pacific Avenue.
McTague said Rotary Community Park is in the second phase of renovations, adding that the project received a $750,000 grant. The $1.58 million contract was awarded to Fred Schiavone Construction.
Phase one of the extension of the bayside outfall pipes is complete, and phase two began in February. Four of the five outfalls are complete and the final one will be finished by October, McTague said, noting that work must cease from April 1 to Sept. 1 for the protection of environmentally sensitive species.
The township began replacing five of 15 bayside outfall pipes in the worst condition in March 2025. That replacement included an emergency outfall at the Delaware Bay pump station near Ohio Avenue. Other outfall work included Ocean, St. John’s, Frances and Woodland avenues in Villas.
The second phase replaces the pipes at Arbor, Shadeland, Wildwood, Broadway and Spruce avenues.
The reconstruction of Ridgewood Avenue is completed. McTague said a few punch list items are left, which are expected to be completed by June 1.
He said the township is still coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on getting approval for the David Douglass Senior Memorial Park renovations.
“That’s the last remaining approval before we can start,” McTague said.
Another ongoing project is the new Public Works building. McTague said the contractual completion date is April 15, 2027, and the contractor plans to begin site work this week.
Stormwater GIS mapping services are in progress, with the Lower Township Department of Public Works collecting data.
Another project in the works includes the Clem Mulligan Sports Complex storm sewer pump station, which was rebid last November.
“The contractor has installed a precast wet well and associated stormwater piping,” McTague said. “The construction of the pump and electrical work is ongoing and is scheduled to be complete in early July.”
The survey for the Lincoln Boulevard storm sewer replacement is in progress. McTague said once the project is surveyed, it will enter the design phase.
“The Arctic Avenue stormwater sewer replacement is a $2 million grant project through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank,” McTague said. “This project received authorization to start to advertise from the I-Bank and is scheduled to receive bids on May 27.”
The Lower Township municipal pool building reconstruction had a pre-construction meeting in March. The work will begin once all permits and applicable utility company disconnects happen, McTague noted.
Celebration 250 grant award
County Commissioner Patrick Rosenello presented Township Council with a $25,000 check from the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners.
On April 28, the board authorized the award of $248,436 in matching grants to all 16 municipalities under the “CMC Land of the Free, Celebration 250” grant program.
The grants will help local communities create memorable, family-friendly patriotic celebrations honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States while preserving each town’s unique Independence Day traditions.
“Lower Township, like most of the towns in Cape May County, [does] a great job celebrating Independence Days,” Rosenello said. “I’m happy to present a check in the amount of $25,000 from the county of Cape May to assist you in your America 250 Celebration.”
Township Manager Mike Laffey said the money will go toward expanding Lower’s celebratory presentation, including adding to Independence Day festival rides, signs, bunting and banners.
He also said the township has concerts Wednesday evenings all summer long on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry green.
Laffey said they were going to start early Aug. 12, adding that there would be two bands, food trucks, rides and activities for children, in addition to silent auctions, giveaways and a drone show over the Cape May Canal after the concerts.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
