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The Boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor will launch a new shared services agreement in 2014 that will result in Avalon providing police and emergency dispatching services for both communities.  The agreement also involves the county of Cape May’s dispatch service that will handle fire and emergency medical services telephone calls.  The new agreement will provide the public with a superior level of dispatching services while saving taxpayers in both communities over $1 million in various dispatching expenses.

“This shared services agreement took a tremendous amount of effort by elected and appointed officials in Avalon and Stone Harbor and it truly makes sense for both communities”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.  “Residents will get the high level of professional dispatch services that they expect while at the same time both communities save significant revenue”.

“We are very pleased to provide this uniform dispatch service to our residents”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters.  “The public will notice no change in the high level of dispatching that they are accustomed to and both communities share another service that reflects the state’s desire to share services and provide tax relief to its citizens”.

The new agreement is a three-year contract and transfers Stone Harbor’s dispatch services to the Borough of Avalon.  Dispatchers will be situated at the Avalon Public Safety Building at 3000 Dune Drive in Avalon.  Under terms of the agreement, fire and emergency medical services calls will be handled by Cape May County dispatchers.  This provides a higher level of service to Avalon and Stone Harbor since all fire call incidents will be handled by a dedicated dispatcher who is specifically trained in fire communications.

The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders provided positive feedback during its caucus meeting held on Tuesday, November 12^th; final approvals are expected in the coming weeks from the Freeholder board, the Avalon Borough Council and the Stone Harbor Borough Council.

Under terms of the agreement, Stone Harbor will pay Avalon $275,000 for dispatching services in 2014, with a two percent annual increase in payments in 2015 and 2016.   In 2014 alone, Stone Harbor is expected to save $181,975 in dispatching expenses, while Avalon is expected to save $180,617 in dispatching expenses.  Avalon will assume all of the day to day expenses of dispatching services for both communities including administrative costs, salaries and benefits, facility and equipment costs, and liability insurance.

Residents and visitors in both communities still call 9-1-1 for any emergency they may have.  Stone Harbor residents continue to call (609) 368-2111 for non-emergency matters; Avalon residents continue to call (609) 967-3411 for non-emergencies.

Please be advised that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stone Harbor will hold a Regular Council Meeting on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18^TH at 4:30 p.m. This meeting was scheduled and advertised for TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19^TH at 4:30.  Please not the change.

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

BOROUGH OF STONE HARBOR

The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stone Harbor will meet on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 at 4:30 pm.

This meeting was originally scheduled and advertise for TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013

Put on a coat, grab a flashlight and take a Potteresque walk through the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary on Saturday, November 16th.  The Sanctuary invites the public to participate in the Full Moon Walk on the Holly Path at the Seconde Avenue portal.  The walk begins at 7:30pm.  The Jersey Devis, smugglers, and Henry Hudson will all be highlighted during our Full Moon Walk this month.

The Stone Harbor Department of Public Works wants you to know that hydrant flushing continues throughout the week leading up to November 8th.  Residents may experience temporary low water pressure during the routine hydrant flushing this week.

Information provided by the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce:

Friday, November 29th

Enjoy Merchant Window display contest entries all weekend

“Anchors Away – It’s a Seaworthy Christmas!”

Breakfast with Frosty at Coffee Talk (97th & Third Ave.) 8:30 A.M.

Paw Prints Pet Parade and Contest – 1 P.M. – Parade runs the 200 and 300 Block    of 96th Street. Awards follow.   Register at Paw Prints (281 96th St.)

The Reeds at Shelter Haven (9601 Third Ave.) hosts Christmas special programs on the big screen 2 – 5 P.M. &  Christmas Tree lighting with refreshments at 5 P.M.

Sand Sculpture Lighting (96th &2nd Ave.) & Steel Band on 96th Street 6:30 P.M.

Merchants’ Hospitality Night – 6:30 – 9 P.M. Visit merchants downtown & enjoy their hospitality while you shop. Enjoy S’mores making at cozy fire pits along 96th St.

Saturday, November 30th

Toys for Tots Continental Breakfast – 9 A.M. until noon at Women’s Civic Club (96th St. & the beach). Bring an unwrapped toy and enjoy a complimentary breakfast with

Christmas Characters.

Breakfast with Frosty at Coffee Talk (97th & Third Ave.) 8:30 A.M.

Seashore Ace Weber Grill & Big Green Egg Cooking Demo – 11:30 – 4 P.M.

‘Letters to Santa Mailbox’ at Seashore Ace

             Kid’s Snow Globe making at Seashore Ace Fri. & Sat.

Animal Alliance Pet adoptions outside Seashore Ace

Sweet Nectar Cupcakery (99th St. & Third Ave.)  Cookie Decorating 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Complimentary glitter tattoos for kids at Bad Kitty

Storytime with Mrs. Santa at Coffee Talk 3 P.M.

Photos with Santa at the Fire House – 3 – 5 P.M.

St. Mary’s Warm-up for the Parade – refreshments on the lawn 6 P.M.

(95th St. & Third Ave.)

Caroling Under the Clock with Our Savior Lutheran Church – 6:15P.M.

(In front of Hoy’s 5&10)

Christmas Parade – 6:30 P.M. Parade – Route is North on Third Ave. 106th St. to 96th St. then East on 96th St.

Santa visits Coffee Talk after the parade

Winter Happenings

Even though it might be cold outside, it is always warm inside at The Wetlands Institute!  Please join us for activities on the marsh every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from now until May 1, 2014.  Unless otherwise stated, all activities occur onsite at The Wetlands Institute.   Questions?  Please call The Wetlands Institute at 609-368-1211.

Seasonal Science Activities and Crafts

We believe children and adults learn a great deal through moments of self-exploration.  Each week we will offer a new self-guided science activity or craft related to seasonal changes in nature.  We provide the supplies and you create the learning!  Possible activities include bird watching, nature journaling and observation, simple science experiments, nature crafts, and much more!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday:  10:00am – 4:00pm

Free with admission

Lunch and Learn

Join us for a weekly exploration of topics important to our coastal and wetland ecosystems.  Bring your lunch and The Wetlands Institute will provide coffee and dessert.  Each week we will feature a different speaker and topic of discussion!  Please check our website for pricing and complete details.

Friday:  11:45am
Every Friday Starting January 10 – March 21, 2014 except on dates of Covered Dish Dinners (January 31 and February 28

Creature Feature and Craft

We’ll highlight a different live animal or group of animals each day!  Get up close with terrapins, fish, crabs, sea stars and urchins, mollusks, horseshoe crabs and the animals of Finding Nemo.  After the presentation, create a take-home craft related to that day’s Creature Feature!

Friday and Saturday:  2:00pm

Free with admission

Aquarium Feeding

Help us feed the fish and octopus, or just watch them gobble down their food.  We’ll open up feeding three times each week so you can see the turtles chasing minnows and the horseshoe crab gobbling shrimp.  Please note:  Not all animals are fed every day.

Saturday:  11:00am
Free with admission

Aquarium Teaching Tank

There is no better way to learn about the local creatures found in the salty waters of the ocean or New Jersey back-bays than to experience them firsthand!  Come join a Wetlands Institute educator for a unique, interactive learning experience as they teach about whelk, skates, sea urchins, sea stars, mud snails, and more!  Please come prepared to touch the animals by not having any bug spray, hand sanitizer or lotion on your hands.  If needed, hands can be washed with mild soap and water in The Wetlands Institute bathroom before the program. 
Sunday:  11:00am

Free with admission

Science Feature and Activity

Each Sunday we will focus on a different conservation issue or science “hot topic”!  Some of the topics include Marine Debris, Osprey Conservation, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Seafood, Horseshoe Crab Conservation and Terrapin Conservation.  After the presentation, participate in a hands-on activity related to that day’s Science Feature!  Activity recommended for ages 8 and up, but younger children are welcome to attend.

Sunday:  2:00pm

Free with admission

A Year in Review

What a year we have had at The Wetlands Institute!  Come join us for “A Year in Review” as we celebrate through pictures, stories, videos and discussion all the twists, turns, achievements and efforts we have made over the course of 2013.  Also, throughout the evening, learn about some of the exciting plans we have in store for 2014!  This is a covered dish dinner, so please bring an entrée, salad or dessert to share with at least eight people.

Friday, December 6 at 6:00pm

Admission:  A covered dish plus $7 for members and $12 for non-members

Reservations by December 5

Covered Dish Dinners

Please bring an entrée, salad or desert to share with at least eight people.

Admission:  A covered dish plus $7 for members and $12 for non-members

The Ecology of Moths

Moths are more than just brown-winged flying insects!  Come learn about the ecology and life cycle of moths from Matt Sichel of Stockton College.  During this presentation, Matt will share his current moth ecology research while highlighting the broad range of local moth diversity.

Friday, January 31 at 6:00pm  –  Reservations by January 30

The American Oyster:  An Ecological and Economic Engine Powering a Fishery, Aquaculture and Restoration

Come meet Dave Bushek, director of the Haskins Shellfish Laboratory of Rutgers University.  Dr. Bushek will discuss efforts at oyster restoration, aquaculture and fisheries in Delaware Bay and compare and contrast different approaches.

Friday, February 28 at 6:00pm  –  Reservations by February 27

Bird-Window Collisions:  The Second Largest Human Source of Avian Mortality on Earth

Join Daniel Klem, Professor of Biology and Sarkis Acopian Professor of Ornithology and Conservation Biology at
Muhlenberg College, as he discusses the relevant moral, ethical, and legal aspects of bird-window collisions and what conservation efforts are being made to save more bird lives including the use of ultraviolet signals that transform window panes into barriers that birds see while retaining the unobstructed view of the outdoors.

Friday, March 28 at 6:00pm  –  Reservations by March 27

The Borough of Stone Harbor has announced a new location for its proposed September 11^th Memorial.  The new location is on 96^th Street between Second Avenue and Seng Place, directly east of the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Department.  The new location was announced during the Tuesday, October 15^th Council meeting by Councilwoman Joan Kramar, who chairs the all-volunteer September 11^th Memorial Committee.

“The committee recognizes that in order for this project to move forward, it needed to change both the cost and location of the September 11^th Memorial, even after the committee was unanimous in selecting its location and design”, Councilwoman Kramar said.  “After a difficult and honest discussion, the committee decided to relocate the memorial from the proposed Point of Peace Memorial Park at the southern end of our community.  Many of the same design elements already approved by the committee will be implemented at the new memorial location, with a downsizing of size, scope, and costs.  We will be reaching out again to the Cape May County Open Space Board for funding that would support our project”.

The Borough has received overwhelming support with this memorial which will incorporate an artifact from the World Trade Center in New York City.  A section of I-beam will be the focal point of the new memorial.  Over $30,000 in donations has been received by the Borough from property owners who support the construction of the memorial.  The Borough has also successfully received agreements from skilled carpenters and masons who have volunteered their services to bring this project to fruition.  Pending a successful application before the Cape May County Open Space Board, it is the Borough’s intent to have the memorial completed in time for a ceremony on September 11^th, 2014.

Scott Taylor from Taylor Design Group of Mount Laurel, New Jersey will provide the Borough with a new design before the end of the month.  The design will be posted on the Borough’s new website, www.shnj.org.

“There were some concerns in the community about the size and scope of our project which would have also created a passive park and a beautiful point for tribute and reflection at our original location for the memorial”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters.  “We listened, and we responded appropriately.  Our community can now enthusiastically support the true goal of this memorial…an everlasting tribute to Americans and their families who were personally impacted by the events of September 11^th, 2001”.