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Stone Harbor Recreation Director Miranda Duca

“We are very fortunate to find someone with a proven, successful record in both athletics and special event planning”, said Stone Harbor Borough Councilwoman Judy Davies-Dunhour, who manages recreation and tourism for the Borough.  “Miranda comes to Stone Harbor with a strong background, energy, and commitment to elevate even further the special events and recreational opportunities enjoyed by our residents and visitors”.

For the past five years, Duca has worked in management at the Sand Barrens Golf Club in Swainton where she managed over 100 special events annually, which included golf tournaments, social events, leisure activities, and business meetings.  She interviewed, hired, and evaluated 25 staff members and managed all facets of employee relations.  Previously she worked as an Event Coordinator at the Cape Resorts Group in Cape May; as a Facilities and Operation Assistant at Villanova University; and as an Assistant General Manager at a sports club in Arizona.  Duca worked for the Stone Harbor Department of Recreation for two summers during the mid-90’s.

Duca received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Bloomsburg University in 2003.  She currently resides in Dennisville.  She will be responsible for all recreation programs and sports camps offered by the Borough of Stone Harbor, and will also coordinate Borough-sponsored special events.

Also during the meeting, Borough Council introduced a new ordinance that will provide free beach tags to all veterans of the United States Military, established a new capital budget for 2014, adopted the 2014 summer trash schedule, and discussed bond ordinances for various infrastructure projects.

Officer Justin Glass is congratulated by Borough Clerk Suzanne Stanford

Justin Glass was sworn in as the newest full time officer for the Stone Harbor Police Department.  Glass resides in North Cape May.  He was hired by the department four years ago as a Special Law Enforcement Officer and completed basic training at the Cape May County Police Academy.  Officer Glass has worked for the past four summers for the Stone Harbor Police Department, where he also served last summer as a dispatcher.  Glass attended Avalon Grove High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Shippensburg University.Michael Workman was elevated to the rank of Patrol Sergeant.  Workman resides in Corbin City with his wife Theresa.  He was hired by the Stone Harbor Police Department in 2001 as a Special Law Enforcement Officer and eventually was employed by the West Wildwood Police Department and the Atlantic County Sherriff Department. Workman returned to the Stone Harbor Police Department as a full time police officer in 2006.  He has become a certified police instructor through the New Jersey Police Training Commission and has conducted training at the Cape May County Police Academy.  Workman has served as Acting Patrol Sergeant since June, 2013 for the Stone Harbor Police Department.

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 96^th Street beach on the July 4^th 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

Councilman Barry Mastrangelo takes his oath from Clerk Suzanne Stanford

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Barry and Al back on to the Stone Harbor Borough Council”, said Mayor Suzanne Walters.  “Both Barry and Al bring leadership, management, and ideas that will help make Stone Harbor a terrific place to live and vacation in 2014 and beyond”.

During the reorganization meeting, the Stone Harbor Borough Council took action on the following items, dates, and procedures:

-Council meetings will continue to be held on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 4:30pm at Stone Harbor Borough Hall with the exception of the third week of November; Council will meet on Monday, November 17^th, at 4:30pm.

-Parking meters will be in effect in Stone Harbor from Thursday, May 1^st through Wednesday, October 1^st, 2014.

-Solid waste/recycling collection will follow the “winter” schedule through June 15^th, 2014 and again from September 15^th through December 31^st, 2014.  The “summer” schedule will be followed from June 16^th through September 14^th, 2014.

-Established bulk trash collection pickup days to occur on the following Mondays:  March 10^th, May 5^th, September 22^nd, and October 27^th, 2014.

Councilman Al Carusi is congratulated by Clerk Suzanne Stanford

-Re-appointed Michael Donohue as Municipal Attorney; Robert Beinfield as Bond Counsel; Michael Sorensen as Public Defender; Lawrence Pepper Jr. as Labor Counsel; J. Byrne Agency as Risk Management Consultant;  and Glen Ortman, Municipal Auditor.

-Entered into professional services contracts with The Wetlands Institute (environmental restoration, management coordination and advice for Borough natural areas) and Richard Stockton College of New Jersey/Dr. Stewart Farrell (coastal monitoring study).