WEST CAPE MAY — The West Cape May Board of Education received $63,000 from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to replace playground equipment at the elementary school at Moore Street and Colombia Avenue.
The grant will cover new equipment and installation costs, but not the removal and disposal of the existing playground.
Borough Commission adopted a resolution July 22 authorizing the Public Works Department to assist the Board of Education with removing the old playground.
“We’re doing it because the playground is a community asset and residents and grandchildren use the playground even when school isn’t in session,” Deputy Mayor Susan Hoffman said. “This is an ongoing part of our relationship with the elementary school.”
In the past, the borough has assisted the school district on infrastructure projects such as installing new sidewalks on Columbia Avenue for the Safe Routes to School Project.
Similar to the current playground project, the borough helped with applying for a grant and provided engineering services for previous playground renovations.
Another resolution accepted the 2025 audit report.
Commissioners introduced an ordinance defining the responsibilities of the zoning officer.
Former Zoning Officer Norm Roach retired in June after working for the borough for 20 years. With his retirement, the commissioners deemed it necessary to define the role with the upcoming change in personnel.
“Right now, it’s implied within the code what the zoning officer does and what his powers are,” Mayor George Dick said. “This specifically spells that out, and we felt it was necessary to be clear on what the code says.”
Borough Commission approved an ordinance implementing new recommendations from the Master Plan Reexamination Report, including eliminating three- and four-unit dwellings in the R2 zone and expanding the width from 75 to 100 feet for duplexes in the R1 and R2 zones.
By JULIA DIGERONIMO/For the Star and Wave
