A new year in 2014 provides the Borough of Stone Harbor an opportunity to reflect on many initiatives and projects that were completed during the past year. 2013 presented many challenges in Stone Harbor, but I believe our Borough Council and skilled department heads met those challenges that advanced the Borough for years, and in some cases, decades to come.
Mayor Suzanne Walters
Perhaps the single biggest project we managed in Stone Harbor during 2013 was the complete reconstruction of our beachfront. Thanks to future planning efforts, the Borough arranged for a large beach fill project even before the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in October, 2012. We successfully negotiated with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a total reconstruction of the beaches that met the federal template set before hurricanes Irene and Sandy. Dunes were rebuilt, crossover paths were constructed, and dune grass was planted. I am highly appreciative of the cooperation and understanding by our residents and visitors as this beach fill project reached our 96th Street beach on the July 4th holiday. After Sandy, we all understand: Beaches and dunes provide the first line of defense against any storm. When your community can enjoy a multi-million dollar complete reconstruction of your beach, you accept it graciously, even if work is done during the summertime.Another major accomplishment in 2013 was the passage of a new municipal budget that improved services but kept the line on taxes. Stone Harbor continues to enjoy one of the lowest municipal tax rates in South Jersey at 22.4 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Last year, we experienced a tax increase of less than a penny on the municipal tax rate. In 2014, we face much greater challenges with an ambitious capital improvement plan. Through the leadership of our Borough Council, I am confident we will present a lean, effective budget for the coming year.
One factor that will help with our municipal budget for years to come is a new interlocal services agreement with our neighbors to the north, Avalon. For years, we have worked on a plan that would centralize dispatch for the entire Seven Mile Beach community. We finalized that agreement late in 2013 that results in Avalon handling all dispatch calls for Stone Harbor and Avalon, with emergency calls seamlessly handled by county dispatchers. During the first year of this three year agreement, Stone Harbor will save $181,000 in expenses relating to dispatching services, with well over $500,000 in savings during the length of the contract.
Stone Harbor aggressively sought grants for Borough improvements during 2013. The Borough was successful in obtaining a $400,000 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant for various improvements at the Municipal Complex, Public Works facility, and the Volunteer Fire Department. The grant funding will be used to improve access and use of these buildings for handicapped individuals. In the fall, the Borough applied for a nearly $100,000 grant from the Cape May County Open Space Board for the construction of our Stone Harbor Freedom Park that will include an artifact from the World Trade Center. We remain optimistic that the Board will look favorably on our application.
The Borough made significant improvements to its communications during 2013. We launched our totally redesigned website, www.stoneharbornj.org that makes it much easier to find information about the Borough. It includes new graphics, a calendar of events, and easy to find links to all departments in our community. In addition, Stone Harbor launched its own emergency management website, www.stoneharboremergency.com. This is the primary source of information for residents and visitors during major storm events or other emergencies that may occur in the Borough.
Mitigation efforts that were addressed in 2013 that will set us up for success in 2014 and beyond. Stone Harbor expects to receive official word soon from the Community Rating System that will improve our rating from a Class 7 to a Class 5. This unprecedented two-class improvement will result in 25 percent discounts in flood insurance for all property owners in our community which will save millions in dollars in flood insurance premiums for years to come. This was achieved thanks in part to our aggressive approach to flood mitigation and better building standards.
As mayor, I was honored to be sworn in as the new President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities for 2014. Through the new year, I will be travelling to virtually every corner of the State of New Jersey to meet with local, county, and state officials on the challenges facing government. These conversations will afford me the opportunity to have a voice for Stone Harbor and Cape May County, and bring new ideas and innovative approaches back to our community so we can do a better job serving you.
On behalf of Borough Council and Borough employees, I want to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers in Stone Harbor who make this truly the “Seashore at its Best”. Volunteers in our community truly make Stone Harbor a terrific place to live, own a home, and vacation. If you have any thoughts on how we can do our jobs better, please attend a Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 4:30pm inside Stone Harbor Borough Hall.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Walters
Mayor, Stone Harbor
