JoyceMedia

The Stone Harbor Borough Council will consider the development of a dune vegetation management plan that intends to improve ecological diversity in the Borough’s dune system.  A presentation was made before Council by Joseph Lomax of the Lomax Consulting Group during the Tuesday, December 3^rd Borough Council meeting.

“A dune vegetation management plan makes complete sense for the Borough on many levels”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters.  “It is very important for the Borough to consider a more diverse ecology in our dune system that will provide for healthier, and more stable dunes.  We recognize dunes provide the first line of defense against any coastal storms that threaten our community”.

During the 1960’s, Japanese Black Pine trees were planted in the dunes as a way to provide a solid root structure that helps keep a dune system intact during threatening weather.  During subsequent years, the Japanese Black Pines produced offspring which developed an invasive monoculture of trees in the dune system.  Japanese Black Pines are known to produce an estimated 15 additional plants per square yard.  In recent years, these trees have been dying off along the East Coast due to fungus and beetles.  When the trees die, they leave a large amount of needles and cones on the ground that can easily cause a large fire.  These trees also grow at an average rate of 18 inches every year.

Lomax indicated that a similar dune vegetation management plan has been enacted in Avalon over the past five years.  The plan results in the systematic removal of some Japanese Black Pine trees from areas where they flourish; vegetation that is native to the Jersey Shore is planted which creates a diverse and healthy dune system.  When the trees are removed, the roots are left in the dunes as they provide a very solid foundation and stability to the existing dune structure.  Trees that are targeted for removal from the dunes are cut down by hand.  No mechanical equipment would be used to remove trees from the Stone Harbor dunes.

Both the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife view the replacement of vegetation as “dune maintenance”, which requires no special permits.

Further discussion of a dune vegetation management plan for the Borough of Stone Harbor will be held at a future Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting.

Members of the Stone Harbor Police Department recently participated in an 8k run and a half marathon in Philadelphia as part of its continual effort to raise funding for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.  To date, members of the Stone Harbor Police Department have raised over $5,500 to help eradicate pediatric cancer.

“I am very proud of the Stone Harbor Police Department for their commitment to the cause started by Alex”, said Stone Harbor Police Chief Paul Reynolds.  “We are completely committed to this effort and fully intend on participating in the marathon weekend in 2014”.

On Saturday, November 16^th, seven members of the Stone Harbor Police Department ran in the 8k race as part of a group during Philadelphia’s “Marathon Weekend”.  The group ran to represent Alex’s Lemonade Stand.  Participants included Dispatcher/SLEO II Joseph Marano, Officer Dan and Lindsay Peters, Officer Joseph Smith, Officer Brent Grunrow, Detective Sergeant Christopher Palmer, and Chief Paul Reynolds.  Detective Sergeant Palmer also ran the half marathon on behalf of the department and Alex’s Lemonade Stand on November 17^th.  This effort allows the police department to participate in the Borough in a non-law enforcement capacity by hosting lemonade stands in town during the summer months while also promoting goals of physical fitness.

Alexandra “Alex” Scott founded Alex’s Lemonade Stand while she personally battled neuroblastoma, a type of rare childhood cancer.  Alex held lemonade stands in front of her home to raise money for her local hospital so it could provide help to children like her.  Alex Scott passed away in 2004 after raising $1 million to help find a cure for the disease that took her life.

The public can donate anytime to Alex’s Lemonade Stand in behalf of the Stone Harbor Police Department by visiting www.alexslemonadestand.org/mypage/81424, or simply text “LEMONADE E81424” to 85944 to make a $10 donation.

The Borough of Stone Harbor has successfully obtained 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.

“We are absolutely thrilled at this significant grant provided by the Christie administration”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters.  “This grant will help us improve access and use of these important public buildings for many years to come”.

The grant award was made by Richard Constable III, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on Monday, November 25^th.

In July, 2013 Remington Vernick Engineers completed a comprehensive evaluation of Stone Harbor’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.   The Municipal Complex, Public Works Facility, and Fire Department were all evaluated for possible improvements.  All three buildings met various criteria mandated by the ADA, while improvements at all three buildings were also discovered.

Improvements that will be financed by the grant inside the Municipal Complex include ADA-compliant men’s and women’s restrooms on the first and second floor, along with a court transaction counter and a restroom inside the police building.  The Stone Harbor Fire Department is in need of an elevator that will improve access to the second floor of the building.  The Public Works Facility requires improvements to a bathroom.

The Borough of Stone Harbor will put the various improvements out to bid with a goal of awarding the contract and making the improvements at all three buildings during 2014.

Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters will be sworn in as the new President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities on Thursday, November 21^st.  Walters will serve a one-year term of the state’s leading organization that presents local municipalities.

“It’s truly an honor to serve as the President of this statewide organization as government enters a very challenging year”, Walters said.  “I look forward to representing Stone Harbor, Cape May County, and all municipal governments as we continue important conversations in Trenton”.

Walters is being sworn in as the new President of the NJLOM during its annual business meeting at the Sheraton in Atlantic City.  She has been involved in League activities, boards, and leadership since she first was elected Mayor of Stone Harbor in 1996.  Walters has served the Borough as Mayor continually since her election.  Prior to becoming Mayor of Stone Harbor, Walters served on the Stone Harbor Board of Education for 11 years.

Her duties as President of the League of Municipalities will include meetings with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State legislators, and municipal officials.  Walters will be making frequent trips to Trenton as she advocates in behalf of the League and local municipalities on various issues and challenges that face local communities throughout the State of New Jersey.

“There is no doubt that the number one issue facing local communities is property taxes”, Walters said.  “We need to work together and share ideas on how we can overcome obstacles, like civil service, that stand in the way of consolidation and shared services.  Stone Harbor has successfully negotiated shared services agreements that improve services while saving money, and statewide, we can do better”.

One of the primary focuses of this year’s annual conference in Atlantic City is the statewide recovery from Hurricane Sandy.  “I think it’s beneficial for the League to have a President from a shore community in 2014 as the entire State continues its recovery from the storm”, Walters said.  “Governor Christie has done a tremendous job securing various financial aid for our towns.  I want to advocate in Trenton for additional tourism promotion and beach nourishment dollars that will accelerate New Jersey’s economy”.

In 2002, Walters was named the President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and travelled to virtually every county in the State to meet with Mayors in dozens of communities.  She plans to visit many more communities in New Jersey to create solutions to issues facing municipal governments.

“I want to thank the Stone Harbor Borough Council, employees, and residents for their support and encouragement as I accept this challenge in the coming year”, Walters said.  “It is my goal to represent the Borough and our entire county to the best of my ability as we embrace a proactive effort to reduce property taxes and improve the level of service we provide to the residents of the State of New Jersey”.

A special ceremony will be planned in December at the Reeds of Shelter Haven in Stone Harbor where Walters will receive her ceremonial oath of office as President.

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities is a voluntary association created to help communities do a better job of self-government through pooling information resources and brain power. It is authorized by State Statute and since 1915, has been serving local officials throughout the Garden State. All 565 municipalities are members of the League. Over 560 mayors and 13,000 elected and appointed officials of member municipalities are entitled to all of the services and privileges of the League.

The Stone Harbor Borough Council announced that it will pay tribute to Department of Public Works Employee John Gryning by retiring his identification number and placing it on a new public works vehicle.  Gryning passed away suddenly at home on Sunday, November 10^th, 2013.

“John was a very dedicated employee for the Borough and everyone loved working with him”, said Stone Harbor Department of Public Works Director Grant Russ.  “We wanted to honor John by retiring his identification number and placing it on the Borough’s first co-mingled recycling truck that will arrive in a few months”.

The Stone Harbor Borough Council held a moment of silence for Gryning during its meeting on Monday, November 18^th.  A special ceremony to dedicate the new truck with Gryning’s identification number will be scheduled when the vehicle arrives.

Gryning was hired by the Borough of Stone Harbor in 1988 in the trash maintenance department.  He eventually advanced to the position of a truck driver which he served until his passing.  Gryning served the United States Army from 1969-1972 when he was honorably discharged.

A memorial service for John Gryning will be held on Saturday, November 23^rd at 1:00pm at the Ingersoll-Greenwood Funeral Home in North Wildwood.