Police station, beach patrol headquarters, water-sewer improvements to be funded
CAPE MAY — Money indeed makes the world go ’round. Many highly anticipated capital projects were included in several bond ordinances City Council introduced June 3.
One appropriated $8.7 million for various water-sewer utility improvements. Another appropriates $2.35 million for improvements to existing water-sewer infrastructure and facilities.
“This [bond] is unique and I don’t know if the city has done a bond or project with the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for quite some time,” City Manager Paul Dietrich said, adding the bank uses some of its grant money to help fund these projects statewide.
The New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) is an independent state financing authority that provides low-interest loans to qualified municipalities and others for the purpose of financing local transportation, resilience and water quality-related infrastructure projects.
“It’s not really a grant, it’s principal loan forgiveness, which is why we have to bond the entire project,” Dietrich said. “Then as bonding comes up, we’ve been earmarked for our two projects; that’s why it’s broken up into two groups.”
The water-sewer capital project includes the replacement of various water mains, water service connections and fire hydrants, as well as the replacement of various sanitary sewer mains and connections.
“This is projects on Stockton Place, Beach to Columbia, Idaho Avenue, Pittsburgh Avenue to Reading Avenue, Ohio Avenue, Reading Avenue to Philadelphia Avenue, Illinois Avenue, Pittsburgh Avenue to Michigan Avenue,” Dietrich said, adding it was four blocks on Illinois Avenue, and also Washington Street between Sidney and Texas avenues.
Dietrich added that it was worthwhile to complete this work with the funding, as the city has exceeded its lead service line replacement goals.
The city is currently looking into projects identified during an inflow and infiltration (I&I) study.
“I&I issues cost us more because we get I&I on our sewer flows, which means we’re paying more for groundwater and stormwater flowing into our sewer system,” Dietrich said.
Mayor Zack Mullock said it was a great program and $5 million in loan forgiveness is a huge deal.
Dietrich said the I&I work will help reduce the overall sewer bill.
“This goes back to some time that allowed us to make a really solid application,” Mullock said.
Dietrich noted the bond was slightly off schedule from the others because of the I-Bank requirements, and he said the city engineer and bond council jumped through hoops to get this bond ordinance in the works.
“We also have to potentially award a contract, so we’re looking to have a special meeting for both that awarded contract and public hearing and adoption of this bond ordinance in the last week of June,” Dietrich said.
The special meeting is set for Thursday, June 26.
Other bonds
Another ordinance would bond $2 million for beach utility work, which includes improvements to public buildings and boardwalk improvements.
This bond includes the renovation of Cape May Beach Patrol headquarters.
On May 6, Dietrich said the proposed work for the lifeguard headquarters renovation includes expanding locker rooms and bathroom facilities.
Council member Shane Meier asked Dietrich about the timeline.
Dietrich said the design work is in process and the renovations would require a full offseason for completion.
“I’m not sure the design will be done and vetted and approved by council to award the bid by August and start work in September,” Dietrich said. “Because of that tight schedule, if there is any hiccup on material deliveries of any kind, then I don’t have headquarters to open up next year.”
Dietrich said it was more realistic for the project to be designed over the next year and go out to bid in summer 2026.
“We couldn’t have done it faster and we also had to introduce a bond ordinance that evening to fund the project,” he said. “Most likely we’ll do it after next season.”
Deputy Mayor Maureen McDade said she was excited the project was finally going to happen.
Council bonded more than $9 million for various capital improvements, which include equipment for the fire and police departments, improvements to city buildings, facilities, and parks, and $4.1 million for the construction of the new police building as well as various related improvements.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
