WEST CAPE MAY — The West Cape May Board of Commissioners discussed moving forward with hiring a company to identify illegal rental houses.
“I think if there are as many out there as some people believe, it’ll be worth it,” Mayor Carol Sabo said. “I think it’s a small amount to pay to recoup our occupancy tax, and if we don’t see anything, we don’t need to renew it.”
Deputy Mayor George Dick said the borough will ultimately gain money from identifying the illegal rentals, and that it would be used to pay for the contract.
“I think it’s reasonable to expect that we would recoup the money over time,” Dick said. “I will reach out to the company and speak to them about what they’re estimating based on what they know of it.”
Commissioner Giacomo Antonicello said he disagrees with the ordinance and believes it will be a waste of money.
In other news, commissioners spoke about the proposed ordinance to prohibit planting bamboo to prevent its spread.
There is room to add more invasive species to the ordinance, commissioners said.
The Environmental Commission has already approved the ordinance. The Shade Tree Commission was set to review it June 10.
If approved, it would be on the agenda for introduction at the next commission meeting.
Borough Commission also discussed creating a plan to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly population.
“Last year we had a big to-do with spotted lanternflies,” Dick said. “They are back and in the same places as last year.”
He said they are starting with the species’ central locations and attempting to exterminate the source before committing to larger spaces.
“We received a grant for $20,000, and we still have a significant portion of that grant left,” Dick said. “If you see the spotted lanternflies, please report them to our office. We’ll go out and make a judgment on whether or not it needs professional treatment.”
Spotted lanternflies are an invasive species from Southeast Asia that were first detected in New Jersey in 2018 after first being introduced to the U.S. in 2014.
They have proved to be a problem in northern New Jersey, but their numbers have not yet spread to southern New Jersey as severely.
The flies are in their nymph phase at this time of the year and are black with white dots.
“We have to get them now before they become mature adults with wings and can fly everywhere,” a resident said during the public portion of the meeting. “Now is the time to be very proactive.”
Commissioners also unanimously signed an annual proclamation May 28 to honor June as Pride Month.
“I do hereby proclaim that the month of June be recognized as Pride Month in the Borough of West Cape May,” Sabo said. “I encourage all residents to treat one another with kindness and to seek understanding across differences and to work together as a stronger and more united community.”
During the public portion of the meeting, residents thanked the commissioners for celebrating and recognizing Pride Month.
By JULIA DiGERONIMO/For the Star and Wave
