Mayor outlines new projects, noting costs continue to rise
VILLAS — After running unopposed and being re-elected for another four years, Lower Township Mayor Frank Sippel is ready to tackle infrastructure projects, recreation upgrades and state mandates.
Sippel delivered his annual State of the Township address Feb. 3, looking back on accomplishments in 2024 and previewing what the community can expect in 2025.
“Each and almost every year, we make infrastructure the number one priority for the township, including renovation of parks and playgrounds, and that’s not going to change for 2025,” Sippel told the Star and Wave.
The township has about 23,000 residents and is home to beaches, restaurants, small businesses and the Cape May County Airport. Township Council prioritizes roadway improvements and making the area a safe place to call home.
Planning for the year ahead is not without its challenges, including balancing the municipal budget and keeping the tax rate down.
“The toughest [issue] is the cost of doing business,” Sippel said. “With everything we do, [from] receiving bids for paving and infrastructure [like] replacing stormwater drains, and the price of materials, the [costs] are going up a lot.”
Another challenge is the rising cost of state employee health insurance.
“It’s increased by 18 to 20 percent the last couple of years and we’re expecting another increase for 2025,” he said.
Community projects
Township parks and playgrounds are being renovated this year. The $4 million David Douglass Sr. Memorial Park project will expand the parking lot and add lights, a bathroom building, decorative footpath along Cape May Canal and an observation deck. The memorial will also be redesigned and relocated.
“We’re anticipating getting at least half the money from the county through the open space project,” Sippel said.
Renovation of the Diamond Beach Park playground was completed in 2024, which Sippel said is a positive accomplishment. Improvements included new playground equipment, shade structures, a fitness area, pickleball courts, picnic tables, trash cans, park benches, bike ramps, an air pump, water stations and bathroom upgrades.
“We give recreation a lot of priority, because in our view, the youth is really important, to keep them off the street,” Sippel said. “They are the future of the township, so we try to keep them active and always have something to do.”
Sippel noted the township recently started a youth football program and is starting youth camps.
“Coming up this year for the first time in the history of Lower Township, we’re going to be running camps for kids,” Sippel said. “We’re looking at two camps, four weeks each, with 60 kids per camp projected.”
Sippel said the township is in the process of hiring staff for the camps, which will be in addition to the annual police youth camp that is designed to nurture a positive interaction between police and children in the community.
Other projects in progress include replacing the Public Works building. The project started in 2024 and will continue into this year.
“The building is outdated and needs to be replaced,” Sippel said. “We had the opportunity to move the entire Public Works to the airport, including trash and recycling, but ran into resistance from the Federal Aviation Administration [that it] might attract too many birds and interfere with planes.”
The final design for the building is expected to go out to bid soon. The project includes a new administration building with associated utilities, a new site layout and improved entrance safety.
Personnel changes
Several vacant positions have been filled and new positions created.
“We had no tax assessor for a period of time, but we hired one and a deputy tax assessor, which brought us up to date on where we need to be,” the mayor said. “We recently hired a deputy manager in the township, which we never had that before.”
Christina Lewis is the deputy manager, working under Township Manager Michael Laffey. Liz Ross is tax assessor and Marissa McCorkel deputy tax assessor.
“In the past, when the manger wasn’t there, sometimes things didn’t move as quickly as it should,” Sippel said. “This way we look at our government [to] be much more efficient in operating.”
There also were changes to Township Council, following the retirement of David Perry as deputy mayor. Kevin Coombs is now deputy mayor and Joesph Wareham was sworn in to fill the vacant seat.
“Change [can be] good and any time you bring fresh people on council, you get fresh ideas,” Sippel said. “Sometimes change can be positive,”
DEP regulations
Municipalities statewide are preparing for implementation of the Department of Environmental Protection’s New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) and Resilient Environmental and Landscapes (REAL), which are a response to sea level rise.
“The DEP is looking to put restrictions as far as permits,” Sippel said. “There is a possibility when you get a permit, if you do [renovation] more than 50% of the value of the house, you have to raise it.”
Sippel said Lower Township is pushing back on the proposals.
“We don’t believe in projecting 75 years out and they only have a 17% chance that’s even going to happen,” Sippel said. “We think that data is incorrect and we’re asking them to review this data every 15 to 20 years and make adjustments in increments and not all at one time.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave