CAPE MAY — “The nature trail project continues on schedule and we hope to have it opened up for the summer season,” Paul Dietrich said Feb. 19.
The city manager said a preconstruction conference has been held for the next phase of Lafayette Street Park and the contractor is optimistic it will be ready to start by mid-March.
Mayor Zack Mullock thanked the contractor for working during the cold.
The city awarded a $1,869,475 contract to Massett Building Co., which will construct nature trails through the wetlands behind the Cape May City Elementary School.
Dietrich said last year that the city has funding in its capital bonds for both the main part of the park and the nature trail, the latter of which was estimated to cost $2.6 million.
He previously noted the city has all necessary permits to construct the nature trail, which will be accessible by a path from St. John Street as well as a locked gate behind the school for use by students.
The first phase of the park was dedicated in 2016 and included multipurpose athletic fields, a garden and playground area that connects to the school.
Phase two will be the easterly portion of the site consisting of the softball field, the dog park and the bocce courts, which is estimated to cost about $500,000.
Dietrich added last week that 75 percent to 90 percent of the long-stalled park should be completed by July, although several pavilions face a 14- to 16-week delay.
“Those are getting ordered this week or next week, and that will be a finally piece of the puzzle,” Dietrich said.
Resident Roz Johnson asked City Council about environmental oversight at the park, noting an osprey nest had been removed.
“When construction is done on the nature trails, we will be relocating [the pole],” Dietrich said. “That will be a reason to walk on the nature trail.”
Johnson said she was thrilled as she has been watching the nest for 10 years.
“The plight of the osprey is amazing,” Johnson said. “They come from central America, and fly 2,900 miles to [return] to the same nest. It gave me joy and hope when I saw the male returning to it.”
Promenade project
Dierich also discussed plans for improvements to the Promenade. Resident Stacy Sheehan asked what the project entails.
Dietrich said the project includes rehabilitation and resurfacing of the concrete walkway with a reflective surface on the beach side and wood railings on the Beach Avenue side, installation of fiber optic service, replacement of trash cans and benches, redecking around Convention Hall and the end of the Promenade from Kiwanis Park to the Cove.
He noted that the benches would be purchased separately, as a state contract would provide a better cost. Bench dedications will be discussed in the future.
Sheehan asked if new arches would be added there. Dietrich said there is lighting and an option for future electricity to remove the overhead lights on the wooden telephone poles.
“The bid we received was $5.8 million for boardwalk preservation, a state grant that will really be a wonderful improvement to our promenade,” Mullock said. “The decking outside Convention Hall is not in great shape, but for especially things like weddings.”
Mullock said the decking will be replaced with treated lumber to last a long time.
“The surface of the Promenade has gotten so bad, it will be a blacktop, unfortunately, like every asphalt you see out there,” he said. “We will be putting a coating on, and it will blend in much better after a while. While maybe not exactly perfect for protecting the ocean, shoring up some of the concrete is very important for the sustainability of the community.“
Contaminant control
During the public hearing on an ordinance amending plastic dust and contaminant control, a resident asked who would enforce it.
“Code enforcement or the building inspector, but frankly, it’s not going to be easy, to be honest with you,” Mullock said. “I think education [will] be a part of this with contractors.”
The ordinance aims to regulate construction practices to ensure compliance with environmentally responsible procedures and prevent the unnecessary release of microplastics, dust and contaminants.
Mullock added that contractors could use many options for dust collection, and the dialogue on materials included in the ordinance could continue to be discussed. The ordinance focuses specifically on plastic dust and contaminants.
“[It] needs to be added to the contractor checklist and part of the education in the construction office that is done when everyone gets a permit,” Deputy Mayor Maureen McDade said.
Harborview Park
Harborview Park construction also was discussed.
“I want to acknowledge the approval of the Open Space Board,” McDade said. “The productive relationship in discussing this project, and it’s great working with Vince Orlando and his team. It’s exciting we’ve gotten funding.”
McDade added she is hopeful construction will kick off by the fall.
“It is going to be a beautiful space; it’s very tranquil and interesting to see how many people use that space year-round.”
Mullock echoed McDade in thanking the Open Space Board and County Commissioner Bobby Barr, who was of great help on the project.
“We appreciate their funding and help doing that project,” Mullock said. “The recommendation from the Open Space Board and our local Historic Preservation Commission made the project better. It will be a beautiful place to sit, read a book and enjoy the harbor’s natural beauty.”
The seating area will include benches, which Mullock added will be an eclectic collection of benches not past their prime.
“We’ve joked about it because it became where we would put benches that weren’t dead in life yet, so it’s nice to do justice for that finally,” he said.
Mercantile licenses
City Clerk Erin Burke said the city is going digital with its mercantile licenses, noting renewals now can be completed online.
“I want to give the public a heads-up that we are looking to do electronic distribution this year, so instead of getting a physical application mailed to your mailing address, you’ll be getting emailed a renewal application,” she said.
Business owners can expect to receive the application, invoice and a cover letter with instructions. Burke said this process would save her office a lot of paper, ink, postage and headaches.
She said the city is working toward offering electronic payment as well.
“We’re still navigating that [change] but hoping it will be ready to go by March,” she said.
Burke said a test email would be sent, adding anyone with questions can call the clerk’s office.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave