AVALON EXPANDS SCOPE OF EMERGENCY BEACH FILL PROJECT Additional 100,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed on local beaches
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Borough Council has approved an additional 100,000 cubic yards of new sand to be added to the Borough’s emergency beach fill project. This additional sand will result in a total of 600,000 cubic yards of new sand being pumped onto the Avalon beachfront from 9th Street to 26th Street.
Avalon received permit modification approvals from the United States Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the additional sand from the “borrow” area, located in Townsend’s Inlet. This permit now allows Avalon to expand the width of the new beach by approximately another 50 feet. The final result of the beach fill will be a spacious, protective beach in Avalon’s north end.
Avalon and Sea Isle City decided to enter into a joint emergency beach fill agreement that will replenish beaches in both communities, and save taxpayers over $2 million in mobilization costs. Avalon’s cost of its portion of the beach fill project is approximately $5.2 million. Avalon learned on Tuesday, May 11th that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will reimburse both Avalon and Sea Isle City for 75 percent of the entire costs associated with the project, including the additional sand allocation that was approved by the Avalon Borough Council during its meeting on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010.
The project is being conducted by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC of Illinois, who was the low bidder for the emergency beach fill. Avalon received a very competitive rate of $7.02 per cubic yard of sand, which will result in a wider beach in the project area. The dredge “Alaska” arrived in Avalon on Tuesday, May 25th and will begin beach fill operations very soon. Great Lakes started the project on 9th Street, and will continue south to 26th Street, working around the clock, seven days a week until the project is finished. The estimated completion date of Avalon’s portion of the project is in the middle of June.
Avalon’s beaches will remain open and accessible to the public during this emergency beach fill project, including through Memorial Day Weekend. Only a few blocks of beachfront in the immediate area where Great Lakes is pumping fresh sand will be closed for safety reasons. Those beach blocks will reopen as the project goes further south along Avalon’s beachfront.
The Avalon beachfront suffered major erosion during repeated nor’easters during the Fall/Winter storm season of 2009-’10. Following the last major storm event on the weekend of March 12th, Avalon moved quickly to restore the dune system between 17th Street and 22nd Street that was compromised by pounding surf and high winds. Avalon also qualified for approximately $360,000 in reimbursement funding from FEMA for the dune restoration project.
UPDATE: AVALON BEACH PROJECT TO BEGIN MAY 25TH
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon officials learned Monday that a major emergency beach fill project will likely begin on Tuesday, May 25th, on the 9th Street Beach.
Avalon Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton of Hatch Mott MacDonald was informed by the company performing the beach fill operation, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC, that the new projected start date is on or about Tuesday, May 25th, 2010. Two dredges, the “Illinois” and the “Alaska”, are coming to the southern New Jersey coast to perform a major beach project in both Avalon and Sea Isle City. Avalon is expected to have the “Alaska” conduct its portion of the emergency beach fill project.
Avalon’s portion of the beach fill will result in at least 500,000 cubic yards of sand being placed on the Borough’s beaches from 9th Street south to 26th Street. Avalon is currently seeking permit modifications that would allow for more sand to be placed on the local beaches.
The dredge was supposed to arrive on Sunday, May 23rd but dense fog along the coast of New Jersey and rough seas associated with a low pressure system that hugged the Jersey Shore resulted in a minor delay.
Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi was informed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that the state will reimburse Avalon and Stone Harbor for 75 percent of the costs associated with this major emergency beach fill.
TIMELINE: AVALON BEACH FILL PROJECT NOW SLATED TO BEGIN MAY 23RD
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon officials learned today that a major emergency beach fill project that was slated to begin late this week may start a few days later than expected.
Avalon Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton of Hatch Mott MacDonald was informed by the company performing the beach fill operation, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC, that the new projected start date is on or about Sunday, May 23rd, 2010. Two dredges, the “Illinois” and the “Alaska”, are coming to the southern New Jersey coast to perform a major beach project in both Avalon and Sea Isle City.
Avalon’s portion of the beach fill will result in at least 500,000 cubic yards of sand being placed on the Borough’s beaches from 9th Street south to 26th Street. Avalon is currently seeking permit modifications that would allow for more sand to be placed on the local beaches.
Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi was informed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that the state will reimburse Avalon and Stone Harbor for 75 percent of the costs associated with this major emergency beach fill.
REMINDER: BOAT TRAILER PARKING ORDINANCE GOES INTO EFFECT JUNE 1
The Avalon Police Department reminds the public that the Borough’s prohibition regarding the parking or storage of boat and watercraft trailers on Avalon streets goes into effect on June 1, 2010. This prohibition remains in effect through September 30th, 2010. Please click on this document for the official ordinance that was approved on a 5-0 vote by the Avalon Borough Council.
INFORMATION ON THE AVALON BOULEVARD BEAUTIFICATION INTIATIVE
Dear Sir or Madam,
On April 12th The Avalon Planning and Zoning Board approved the establishment of an Advisory Committee for the beautification of Avalon Boulevard from Graven’s Thorofare (crooked bridge) eastward to the 30th Street Bridge. The Borough of Avalon owns the land along Avalon Boulevard from Graven’s Thorofare to Ocean Drive, into town proper.
Avalon Boulevard has become less than attractive over the years with ad hoc and inconsistent signage, minimally appealing ground cover, and the routine accumulation of refuse on the North side, near the impromptu water-ski beach. Generally, the presentation of the entrance to Avalon is inconsistent with the wonderful appearance that our town otherwise enjoys.
Fall will see the repair and expansion of the 30th Street Bridge to improve traffic flow into town, as well as modifications to the Boulevard approaches to the Bridge. This construction makes the timing of this initiative quite opportunistic for 2011.
To that end, The Avalon Home and Land Owners Association (AHLOA) will coordinate a series of three public meetings to solicit ideas from organizations, individuals, and Borough Departments/Commissions, staff those ideas through the Planning and Zoning Board’s engineering and legal representatives, and propose refined alternatives to the Planning and Zoning Board in late summer.
The current Sign Ordinance and Master Plan are generally silent regarding Avalon Boulevard and this is a unique opportunity to influence the look of the entrance to Avalon for the foreseeable future.
Meetings will be held at 7:00 PM in the Borough Hall on the first Wednesday of June, July, and August, (2 June, 7 July, and 4 August). Please mark your calendar.
If you currently have signage on Avalon Boulevard or are just interested in the beautification of the entrance to town, please join us to make your opinions and ideas known.
Mike Matt
President, AHLOA
AVALON TO COMMEMORATE MEMORIAL DAY WITH PARADE, SPECIAL GUEST Former U.S. Marine underwent 23 surgeries after being wounded in Iraq
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi announced that the Borough will hold a very special Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday, May 31st, to conclude the first summer holiday weekend at the Jersey Shore. Retired Marine Sgt. Jason Simms Sr. of Havertown, Pennsylvania, will be the keynote speaker during Avalon’s Memorial Day ceremony.
“This will be a very special Memorial Day for Avalon residents, visitors, and veterans throughout South Jersey”, Pagliughi said. “Sgt. Simms story is personal, inspirational, and is a reminder to all of us about the honor and courage that the men and women in our military exhibit every day”.
Simms enlisted in the United States Marines in November, 1996 and left for boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina in January, 1997. Simms eventually received orders to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Delta Company, Marine Corps Base, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. In February, 2004, his unit was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq where he served as a driver for Weapons Platoon and a Gunner for 3rd Platoon. While in Iraq, Sgt. Simms received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat “V” for Valor for driving his Marines out of an ambush site to safety.
On July 1st, 2004, Sgt. Simms’ life changed forever.
While with his unit in Fallujah, his unit was patrolling a main road when they heard a loud bang, and saw a flash of light. The unit with hit with an IED, and Sgt. Simms awoke to find his hands in flames, and pictures of his son flashing through his mind. As Sgt. Simms ripped his helmet off, his hands ignited his face and head on fire. As he climbed to the top of the vehicle, he was shot in the leg three times. Sgt. Simms woke up ten days later in a burn center in Texas.
Since then, Sgt. Simms has had 23 surgeries to address various medical problems, including the amputation of a finger. He learned to walk again, and learned how to make a fist. Sgt. Simms was medically retired in April, 2008 and now works with the United States Department of the Navy to help find injured veterans jobs in the federal government after they leave active service.
Sgt. Simms continues to wear a black bracelet on his wrist bearing the name of Lance Cpl. Tim Creager, who was shot and killed in the explosion. On the bracelet, there are four words inscribed: “We will not forget”.
“Jason’s story is inspirational to all of us in Avalon”, Mayor Pagliughi said. “We are honored to have a true American hero for a very important event in our community”.
Avalon’s 2010 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 31st, starting at 9:00am. The parade will line up at 8:45am at the Methodist Church at 34th and Dune Drive and will begin promptly at 9:00am, proceeding north on Dune Drive to the Avalon Veterans Plaza, located at 21st Street. In the event of rain, the parade will be cancelled but there ceremony will still take place inside at the Avalon Community Hall, at 30th Street and the Beach.
Avalon’s Borough Council and various officials will be attending the event. The ceremony will include American Legion Post #331, Miss Avalon Christine Giardina, along with police, fire, and rescue equipment from Avalon and Stone Harbor. The ceremony also includes a flag-raising, gun salute, and the formal presentation of wreaths in memory of those men and women of the armed forces who have given their lives for our country.
CHANGE OF DATES: AVALON BEACH FILL TO BEGIN MAY 20TH
(Avalon, NJ)—A major emergency beach fill project in Avalon will now start five days later than the anticipated start date. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC of Illinois informed Avalon officials that the beach fill project will begin on or about Thursday, May 20th, 2010.
Great Lakes is putting more resources into the emergency joint beach fill project that is being conducted by both Avalon and Sea Isle City. The company informed officials in both communities that two dredges will be executing the project at the same time, instead of one dredge. The dredges “Alaska” and “Illinois” will both be stationed off the coast of both communities, which means Avalon’s portion of the project will be completed on or about Sunday, June 6th; Sea Isle City’s beach fill is expected to wrap up the entire project on or about June 12th.
Avalon’s portion of this emergency beach fill effort will result in approximately 500,000 cubic yards of sand being placed on the beachfront from 9th Street south to 26th Street. The dredging operation will be conducted 24 hours, seven days a week until the work is completed. Avalon’s share of this beach project is $4.5 million.
Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi learned on Tuesday evening that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will reimburse both Avalon and Sea Isle City for 75 percent of the costs associated with this emergency beach fill project. Avalon received a pre-dredge survey on the sand “borrow” area on May 5th, and will seek a permit modification to take more sand out of the borrow zone, which could result in more sand being placed on Borough beaches.
Seat Belt Enforcement and Education Campaign to be Conducted in Avalon as Part of Nationwide
Click It or Ticket Mobilization May 24 – June 6, 2010
(Avalon, NJ) -- Law enforcement officers from the Avalon Police Department will be cracking down on unbuckled motorists and their passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
“This is a positive way to inform Avalon residents and visitors that seat belts save lives”, said Avalon Police Chief David Dean. “We expect to see a big increase in motor vehicles on Avalon roads during this period, and our officers will remind motorists that it’s in everyone’s best interest for drivers, and passengers, to buckle up, all year long”.
Beginning May 24 and running through June 6, the annual initiative includes high visibility law enforcement seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, as well as local and national publicity designed to ensure that drivers and passengers recognize the life-saving value of seat belts.
“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a motorist and his or her passengers to protect themselves when on the road,” said Pam Fischer, Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. "Motor vehicle occupants who buckle-up are between 45 and 75 percent less likely to face life threatening injuries in a car crash.”
Last year, the front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey rose for the 13th consecutive year to 92.67%. Fischer noted that while front seat belt usage rates continue to increase in New Jersey, law enforcement and safety officials will not rest until the state achieves a 100 percent compliance rate.
“Sometimes, we all need a reminder about the safety and importance of buckling up”, Chief Dean said. “This campaign is about reminding the public about seat belt use, and creating new habits for drivers and passengers who do not use seat belts”.
“New Jersey has one of the strongest front seat belt usage rates in the nation, but our work isn’t done,” Fischer said. “To meet our goal, we must continue to focus on enforcement and public outreach efforts to educate motorists and their passengers about the critical importance of buckling up, every ride.”
Fischer added that for the first time, the campaign will focus on rear seat passengers as well. New legislation requiring adult rear seat passengers to buckle up became law earlier this year. Currently, adult back seat belt use stands at 32 percent.
During the 2009 Click it or Ticket” campaign, 443 police agencies participated in the two-week initiative. As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 41,442 seat belt citations, 6,833 speeding summonses and made 866 drunk driving arrests.
AVALON 2009 FLOOD MITIGATION REPORT
Please click on the Microsoft Word document link provided to read the Avalon 2009 Flood Mitigation report, presented by Hatch Mott MacDonald, Avalon's Borough Engineering firm. 2009 Evaluation Report.0427.10.draft.doc
The annual hoagie sale, flower sale, and Borough-wide yard sale
The Borough of Avalon was bustling with activity on Saturday, May 9th. The annual hoagie sale, flower sale, and Borough-wide yard sale all took place under sunny skies. Hundreds of residents and visitors participated in the events. The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department sold 1,000 hoagies by 12:30pm. The Avalon Police Department also conducted a bicycle auction of unclaimed, surplus bikes that were left behind in 2009. The auction was conducted by Avalon Police Captain William McCormick.
FREE CPR AND AED TRAINING OFFERED BY THE AVALON RESCUE SQUAD IN JUNE
The Avalon Rescue Squad is offering FREE CPR & AED training open to the public. This one-night class is about three-hours long.
This training is geared towards individuals with minimal or no experience and will train the student to perform CPR and utilize a defibrillator (AED) in advance of First Responders. It is recommended for persons who work in or frequent locations where Public Access Defibrillators have been placed.
· This course includes the 2006 GUIDELINES for CPR and Defibrillation.
· This is not a “Healthcare Provider” level certification.
Accreditation: American Heart Assn. Heartsaver® AED
Registration: Required, call 368-5288 to sign up.
Duck Rescue
Avalon’s Department of Public Works went into duck rescue mode on Friday morning, May 7th. Nine mallard baby ducks were spotted in the street at 40th Street and Dune Drive. Avalon Public Works Director Bill Macomber located a cardboard box, and put the baby ducks inside, out of harm’s way. The ducks were taken to an offshore veterinary clinic to be examined and nurtured. The ducks will be eventually taken to a big lake where they can thrive in the natural environment.
AVALON BOROUGH COUNCIL MAKES 2010 BUDGET PRESENTATION
Avalon’s Borough Council met on Wednesday, April 28th, and presented a new 2010 municipal budget. The new spending plan includes a one cent increase in the local purpose tax rate. Here is the Power Point presentation that was offered to the public at the meeting by Council President Chuck Covington, Councilmember Dr. Nancy Hudanich, and Avalon Chief Financial Officer Jim Craft. click here to download 2010 Budget Presentation
FACT SHEET ON 2010 AVALON BEACH FILL
About the beach fill: Avalon and Sea Isle City are doing a joint beach fill project during the spring of 2010. Both communities decided to do the beach fill together to reduce mobilization costs and save taxpayers nearly $1 million. The beach fill is needed as a result of repeated coastal storms that began in September, 2009 and continued through early March, 2010.
The contractor: Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC of Oak Brook, Illinois was the low bidder for the project. The dredge company conducted the last major beach fill in Avalon in June, 2008.
The cost: The total cost of the beach fill is $10.406 million. Local dollars are being used to finance the beach fill, and Avalon will aggressively seek reimbursements from the state and federal governments for much of the costs. Avalon’s portion of the beach fill project will cost approximately $4.5 million.
Project area: Avalon will replenish the beaches from 9th Street south to 26th Street. If there is more sand located in the “borrow area” offshore, it’s possible the beach fill project could extend to 26th Street. It is expected that the beach fill will start at 9th Street, and progress south to 26th Street.
Timeline: Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company will begin mobilizing equipment to the Avalon beachfront on or about May 3rd, 2010. The actual pumping of the sand will begin on or about Saturday, May 15th and continue until on or about June 2, 2010. Bad weather can interrupt this process. Great Lakes will break down the equipment after the Avalon project is concluded, and begin pumping sand in Sea Isle City on or about June 4, 2010. The entire beach fill project must conclude no later than July 1, 2010. The pumping of sand onto Avalon’s beaches will be a 24-hour, seven day a week job until the project is completed; it would only be interrupted during stormy weather, mechanical malfunction, or some other unusual circumstance. The dredging operation will continue through the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Volume of sand: Avalon’s portion of the beach fill project will result in 500,000 cubic yards of sand being pumped onto the north end beaches. This volume could potentially increase if there is more sand located in the borrow area.
Why Avalon goes first: A ceremonial coin flip event was held on Wednesday, April 21st to determine which community goes first. Avalon won the coin flip, on the first flip.
Why a beach fill is needed: Beaches are always the first line of defense in the event of a coastal storm. Avalon’s north end beaches were severely eroded during several coastal storms, leaving public and private property vulnerable. The beach fill project will also create a recreational beach for the summer, 2010 tourism season.
Other projects: In March, 2010, Avalon completed a successful dune restoration project. Sand was trucked in to the Borough and restored the dune system between 17th Street and 22nd Street. During the summer of 2009, Avalon conducted an emergency beach fill project where sand was trucked in to the community. Trucked-in sand will not be part of the 2010 beach restoration project.
Will the beaches be closed to the public during this project?: Most of the beachfront in Avalon’s north end will remain open during this project. When the dredge is pumping sand at a particular beach block, that block and a few others near the immediate pumping area will be closed to the public, for safety reasons. As the beach fill project progresses to other beach blocks, the replenished beaches will be re-opened, once they are safe for public use.
Updates: Avalon will provide constant updates to the beach fill project on ShoreTV Channel 2 (for Comcast customers) and on the Borough’s website, www.avalonboro.org.
AVALON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HOLD GOLF TOURNAMENT ON MAY 24TH, 2010
Dear Neighbor and Friend,
On Monday, May 24th, 2010 the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a benefit golf tournament at the Sand Barrens Golf Club (Rt. 9, Clermont) to raise funds for equipment and training. The benefit will be a scramble beginning at 1 P.M., and ending around 6 P.M. with an awards dinner in the Sand Barrens restaurant overlooking the 18th green. In order to make this a success, we need to do a lot of work, which we look forward to doing. However, to make it a bigger success, we are asking for your financial support.
Would you please look favorably upon being a “Hole Sponsor”? By becoming a sponsor of this type, you will have a 18” x 36” sign placed on that particular hole. Also, the program will be listing you as a hole sponsor for your generous, tax-deductable donation.
The sole beneficiary of this is the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department. The cost per golfer is $125.00, and includes box lunch, cart, greens fees, and buffet dinner at the beautiful Dining Room of the Sand Barrens. Would you be willing to participate as a sponsor, and even a golfer? It promises to be a spectacular day. Only the first one hundred golfers to sign up will be swinging from the tees toward the greens. Please join us.
All responses should be made to:
The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department
Golf Tournament Committee
P.O. Box 311
Avalon, NJ 08202
Gratefully,
George Parsons
Chair
AVALON LIONS CLUB TO PRESENT SPAGHETTI DINNER SUNDAY, MAY 2ND
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Lions Club is making final preparations for its annual Spaghetti Dinner, being held at the Windrift, 79th and the Beach, in Avalon.
“This is not only a Lions’ Club event, but a big event for everyone on Seven Mile Beach”, said John Molnar, President of the Avalon Lions Club. “This is an important fundraiser that will enable us to support many local and international charitable endeavors”.
The Avalon Lions Club Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Sunday, May 2nd, from 4:00-8:00pm. Members of the Lions Club assist in the food preparation, and even wait on tables during this event. Tickets for the event are $15 for adults, and $8 for children. They are available in advance from any Avalon Lions Club member, or at the door the day of the event. Take outs are also available.
“The Avalon Lions Club supports many community projects in our region, including the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, and Volunteers in Medicine”, Molnar said. “And, the Avalon Lions Club supports international initiatives. The club recently made a donation for relief efforts for the victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti”.
The spaghetti dinner will be one of two big projects for the Avalon Lions Club that week. On Saturday, May 8th, Avalon Lions Club members will be at the Diller Home for the Avalon Yard Sale, selling donated items to the public. Proceeds from the yard sale will also support Avalon Lions Club projects. The Diller Home is located at 127 26th Street in Avalon, New Jersey.
Since 1917, Lions clubs have offered people the opportunity to give something back to their communities. From involving members in projects as local as cleaning up an area park or as far-reaching as bringing sight to the world's blind, Lions clubs have always embraced those committed to building a brighter future for their community.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization.
Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 202 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Lions have expanded their focus to help meet the ever-increasing needs of our global community.
AVALON POLICE DEPARTMENT INITIATES BICYCLE REGISTRATION PROGRAM
Program to eliminate bicycle thefts and greatly improve efforts to recover lost or stolen bicycles
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Police Department has implemented a brand new bicycle registration program for the community. The program has been designed to greatly reduce the number of bicycle thefts in Avalon, while greatly improving the chances that a lost or stolen bicycle will be returned to its owner.
“We are very excited about this new, voluntary program”, said Avalon Police Chief David Dean. “Unfortunately, bicycle thefts are common in shore resorts, and this new program will make it very difficult for bicycles to get into the hands of someone it doesn’t belong to”.
The Avalon Police Department is asking any bicycle owner in Avalon to stop by and fill out a two-sided blue registration card that will contain all of the necessary information. Police will then affix a small registration sticker onto the bicycle that matches information on the registration card. In the event a bicycle is lost or stolen, the registration will make it much easier for Avalon Police to return the bicycle to its owner.
This new bicycle registration program is free, and voluntary. Year ‘round residents, vacation homeowners, and even summertime visitors can visit the Avalon Police Department at 31st Street and Dune Drive anytime to register their bicycle. There are no restrictions on the number of bicycles a family can register.
“Our primary goal is to reduce the number of stolen and lost bicycles in Avalon”, said Dean. “It is a fact that stolen bikes inflate crime statistics that are reported by seashore communities like Avalon. We want to make the theft of a bicycle, which is really a crime of opportunity, much less desirable”.
The Avalon Police Department strongly encourages the public to secure their bicycles in a safe, locked, secure location when the bikes are not in use. Bicycles should not be left unlocked in driveways or yards, and they should not be unlocked when bicycles are parked to enjoy a day at the beach, or a shopping trip. “This is the simplest way to eliminate the risk of having your bicycle stolen”, Dean said.
The Avalon Police Department will also make a limited number of bicycle locks available for free to the general public, and it has reached out to other organizations in an attempt to secure more bicycle locks.
This new bicycle registration program is being promoted on the Borough’s website, www.avalonboro.org; on Avalon’s public access television channel, ShoreTV Channel 2, and on Avalon’s AM radio station, 1630AM. The program will also be highlighted in the Borough’s spring newsletter in mid-May.
AVALON GARDEN CLUB TO COMMEMORATE ARBOR DAY
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Garden Club will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 30th, at 10:00am. The event will take place at the Grace O’Brien Park, located on 8th Street in the Borough.
Avalon elected officials and members of the Avalon Environmental Commission will help the Avalon Garden Club celebrate Arbor Day. During the event, a brand new “London Plane Tree” will be planted at the park.
The London Plane is a large deciduous tree growing to a height of 25-30 meters, with a trunk up to three meters, or more. The bark is usually pale grey-green, smooth and exfoliating, or buff-brown and not exfoliating. The young leaves in the spring are coated with minute, fine, stiff hairs at first but these hairs wear off and by late summer the leaves are hairless. The London Plane was first recorded as occurring in Spain in the 17th Century, where the Oriental Plane and the American Plane had been planted near one another.
The public is invited to attend the Avalon Garden Club’s Arbor Day ceremony.
AVALON WINS HISTORIC COIN FLIP, WILL BEGIN 2010 EMERGENCY BEACH FILL
Joint beach fill project involving Avalon and Sea Isle City will likely start in Avalon
(Avalon, NJ)—Lady Luck was on Avalon’s side Wednesday morning, April 21st, 2010. Avalon won a ceremonial coin flip on the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge, and will very likely be the first community to get a new beach during an emergency beach fill project that will begin in the coming weeks.
“We are excited about the new beach coming to Avalon’s north end”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Through the spirit of cooperation between both communities, we will save taxpayers over $1 million by teaming up and doing this beach fill project together”.
Sea Isle City Mayor Len Desiderio suggested a coin flip on the bridge that connects the two communities to determine the order of the beach fill. Desiderio had two special coins minted, each with an Avalon logo on one side, and a Sea Isle City logo on the other. Both mayors flipped the coins onto a mat at the high point of the bridge, and both coins landed face up for Avalon. That means the beach fill project will begin in Avalon first, and finish in Sea Isle City.
“Both communities have won, and neither has lost”, Pagliughi said. “The important thing to keep in mind is that both communities have recognized the need for a protective and recreational beach, and both have worked together to make it happen before the summer tourism season, and before the 2010 storm season”.
Avalon and Sea Isle City agreed that the coin flip would be disregarded if one community was able to secure all necessary permits before its sister community. The coin flip was held in the event that permits for the project were approved for both communities simultaneously.
Under terms of the contract, the emergency beach fill project must begin no later than May 2, 2010 and must conclude no later than July 1, 2010. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC of Illinois was the low bidder for the contract. Great Lakes last conducted a beach fill in Avalon in June, 2008. Avalon will receive 500,000 cubic yards of sand that will be placed on the beachfront from 9th Street South to 26th Street.
It is likely that the beach fill project will begin on 9th Street, and move south. A pre-construction meeting to determine specific plans and timetables for the beach fill will be held in Avalon on Wednesday, April 28th, and will involve officials from both Avalon and Sea Isle City.
AVALON/SEA ISLE CITY EMERGENCY BEACH FILL PROJECT READY TO BEGIN
Joint beach fill will result in 1.2 million cubic yards of sand to be placed on local beaches
(Avalon/Sea Isle City, NJ)—Avalon and Sea Isle City will be getting a major beach fill project that is set to begin in a few weeks. This emergency beach fill project will repair and restore beaches in both communities that were washed out to sea courtesy of repeated coastal storms that impacted the local shoreline during the fall/winter storm season of 2009-2010.
“This emergency beach fill project is desperately needed”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Both communities have experienced significant beach loss due to a very active storm season, and beaches are needed for the protection of public and private property”.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC of Oak Brook, Illinois submitted the low bid for the project at $10.406 million. Sea Isle City will finance approximately $5.9 million for the project, while Avalon’s share will be $4.5 million. Sea Isle City will receive 700,000 cubic yards of sand that will be placed on beaches from 73rd Street south to 94th Street. Avalon will receive 500,000 cubic yards of sand that will be placed on beaches from 9th Street, south to 26th Street. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company performed the last major beach fill in Avalon during late spring, 2008.
Both Avalon and Sea Isle City will share in the mobilization costs which will result in more sand being placed on the beaches. Under terms of the contract, the project must begin no later than May 2nd, 2010 and be completed on or before July 1, 2010. The emergency beach nourishment project will be discussed by engineers and other experts during a pre-construction meeting, tentatively scheduled for April 28th, 2010. Avalon and Sea Isle City have applied for the necessary permits and permit modifications for this major beach fill.
“We cannot wait for help from the federal and state governments before we begin this emergency beach fill initiative”, Pagliuighi said. “Both communities will finance the beach fill project, and aggressively seek reimbursements as the project moves forward”.
On Wednesday, April 21st, Avalon and Sea Isle City were scheduled to participate in a ceremonial coin flip on the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge to determine which community would get the beach fill work first, in the event that permits for the project were approved simultaneously. If one community received permits before the other when the contractor was ready to proceed with the project, that community would go first and override the result of the coin flip to keep the project on schedule.
“Avalon residents and visitors can be assured that there will be a protective and recreational beach in the Borough’s north end in advance of the summer tourism season”, Pagliughi said. “This is much more about suntans and a day at the beach; this is about Avalon and Sea Isle City recognizing the need for major beach work for the protection of citizens, and infrastructure”.
Avalon recently completed a successful dune restoration program between 17th Street and 22nd Street. The Borough arranged for 30,000 cubic yards of sand to be trucked into the community to restore a dune system that was severely eroded during repeated storms, including a nor’easter from March 12th-14th, 2010.
AVALON CONDUCTS EMERGENCY DUNE RESTORATION PROJECT
Sand being brought into the Borough to restore protective dunes in the north end
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon officials have kicked off a major effort to restore dunes on the north end of the
community that were virtually washed out to sea during the March 12-14 coastal storm.
“These storms have washed our valuable dune system out to sea”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.
“Avalon is not waiting for help from the state or federal governments. We have taken immediate and
effective action to provide the protective dunes that are critical for our public infrastructure, and private
homes”.
Avalon is using an existing contract with local contractor Albrecht and Heun, Inc. to deliver 30,000 cubic
yards of sand to the Avalon beachfront that will be used to restore the dunes from 17th Street south to 22nd
Street. Avalon had a contract with the company for a 2009 beach fill that was ‘left open’ in the event more
sand had to be brought to the community for an emergency. The end result of this project will be four times
the amount of sand being placed on the dunes than what was lost during the March, 2010 coastal storm.
The sand is being trucked in to Avalon and placed on the 19th and 20th street beaches where it will be
dispersed and shaped into protective dunes for the Borough. The process started on Monday, March 15th
immediately after the March coastal storm departed the region. The sand will continue to arrive in Avalon
Monday through Saturday at a rate of 2,000 cubic yards per day. The project will likely be completed on or
about April 3, 2010.
“We survey our beaches during, and after every coastal storm event”, Pagliughi said. “Avalon’s coastline
took a pounding during the February blizzards, and again during the March nor’easter. We have no choice
but to restore the protective dunes in the north end of Avalon. The spring storm season is far from over”.
Avalon is seeking reimbursement funding for this emergency effort, and has all of the permits in place to
conduct this project. This emergency dune restoration project will precede an emergency beach fill that
will also be completed this spring. That beach fill project will be conducted by Great Lakes Dredge and
Dock Company, LLC and will result in at least 500,000 cubic yards of sand being placed on the beaches
between 9th Street and 26th Street. The new beach will provide both a protective and recreational beach
for Avalon for the summer of 2010, and beyond.
Avalon, 20th Street waters edge facing property, low tide
Avalon pump station on eroded dune
Avalon Gazebo on eroded dune
Avalon dune eroded to beach path
AVALON HONORS EMPLOYEE FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon has formally recognized a long time employee of the Avalon Police
Department for 30 years of continuous service to the community.
Ruth Thraen, a records clerk for the Avalon Police Department, has celebrated the 30th anniversary of her
date of employment with the Borough of Avalon. A special recognition ceremony was held on Friday,
March 12th, 2010 at the Avalon Public Safety Building. Many members of the Avalon Police Department
joined Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Administrator Andrew Bednarek with congratulating Thraen for her
many years of service.
Avalon Police Chief David Dean read a letter at the gathering, saying “During the course of a career that
has spanned four administrations, she has earned the trust and respect of four different chiefs of police,
this in of itself a testament to her obvious abilities. Your dedication to your job and strong work ethic
as a member of the Borough family is what makes Avalon a great place to work and live”.
Thraen has worked on a major project through the years to convert the records department into an
electronic records system.
Mayor Pagliughi presented Thraen with a plaque, thanking her for year 30 years of service to the Avalon
community.
Photograph: Avalon Police Chief David Dean, Ruth Thraen, Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi
AVALON CHAMBER WELCOME CENTER READY FOR 2010 TOURIST SEASON
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Chamber is ready for the 2010 tourism season with a “Spring Kick-off” on Easter Weekend, April 2nd and 3rd. The Chamber Welcome Center is located at Ocean Drive & 30th Street.
“We’re enthusiastic about this exciting vacation season in Avalon”, said John Allison, a chamber board member. “Vacationers seek value and family-oriented special events as a priority, and they will find both in Avalon”.
The Avalon Chamber staff will welcome visitors beginning Friday, April 2nd from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 3rd, from 10:00 am-3:00 pm.
The most exciting offering from the Avalon Chamber of Commerce is the 2010 Vacation Guide Book featuring Avalon and Stone Harbor member businesses. The Vacation Guide Book is a joint effort by chambers of commerce in both communities to present easy to find information about special events and the businesses on the 7 Mile Beach.
“The combined guide book was a terrific idea, and we are very pleased with how it came out”, said Pat Moran, a board member with the Avalon Chamber of Commerce. “We invite everyone to pick up a copy of the free guide book, or view it online. The Guide Book is currently available on both the Avalon Chamber of Commerce website, www.avalonbeach.com and the Borough of Avalon’s website, www.avalonboro.org”.
The on-line brochure version of the guide book contains the most information about 7 Mile Beach businesses. Every advertisement in the guide book offers visitors the ability for a visitor to click on the ad which opens up a website or more information about their business.
New this year at the Avalon Chamber Welcome Center will be a huge flat screen television where visitors can view event information from ShoreTV Channel 2. A new “stand & view” computer station will allow visitors to view the member businesses in the vacation guide on-line.
The combination of the on-line guide book, with nearly 1 million visitors in 2009, and the additional cooperative marketing efforts with 7 Mile Business Community Association and Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce will reach out to families looking for quality vacations.
AVALON PROMOTES BILL MACOMBER TO DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Borough Council promoted Bill Macomber to the position of Director of Public
Works during its meeting on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010. Macomber had been the Acting Director of
Public Works for Avalon before the promotion was approved on a 5-0 vote by council.
“Bill has done a tremendous job with the public works department”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi,
who made the recommendation for the promotion to Avalon Borough Council. “Bill and his department
have done an extraordinary job over the past few years, and really worked efficiently during the February
snowstorms that impacted Avalon, and the rest of the East Coast”.
Macomber has been employed by the Borough of Avalon for the past 18 years, and served as a mechanic
and foreman for 15 years before being elevated to a director’s position. Macomber completed his
Certified Public Works Manager education at Rutgers University in 2001, and is a graduate of Lower Cape
May Regional High School. Macomber and his family reside in Lower Township.
The Avalon Department of Public Works is in the process of major projects along the Borough’s beachfront
in 2010. The department is reconstructing a section of the Avalon Boardwalk near the Avalon Community
Hall, and soon will rebuild many beach paths in Avalon in order to improve safety and beach access.
Photograph: Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and
Avalon Department of Public Works Director Bill
Macomber.
AVALON CODE OFFICIAL NAMED 2010 BUILDING INSPECTOR OF THE YEAR
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Code Official Sal DeSimone has been named the “2010 Building Inspector of the
Year” by the Building Officials Association of New Jersey. DeSimone was recognized for his achievement
during the March 10, 2010 Avalon Borough Council meeting.
“The Avalon community is very pleased with this the association’s recognition of Sal’s dedication and hard
work”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Sal’s has done a tremendous job in Avalon’s construction
office and the Borough is honored to have one of the very best in the business handling the difficult code
and construction issues”.
DeSimone will be honored by the Building Officials Association of New Jersey during an awards luncheon
scheduled for April 29th, 2010 at the Trump Taj Mahal Grand Ballroom. The luncheon will be followed with
another evening reception, also at the Trump Taj Mahal.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs recently informed Avalon officials about DeSimone’s
honor, calling it “the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a code official”. The New Jersey DCA will
join the building association with honoring DeSimone at the awards luncheon.
DeSimone was hired as a Construction/Code Official in Avalon in March, 1999. He also serves currently
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating Services, and is a longtime member
of the Cape May County Bridge Commission. DeSimone has taught classes relating to building codes and
the legal aspects of building code inspections at Atlantic Cape Community College, Rutgers University, and
Middlesex County College. He also volunteers his time as a chairman for Fire District #2 in Rio Grande.
DeSimone resides in Rio Grande, New Jersey with his wife, Lucille. He has been an active member of the
Rio Grande Volunteer Fire Company since 1975, and is a member of the Cape May County Exempt
Firemen’s Association.
Photograph: Avalon Code Official Sal DeSimone.
AVALON BOULEVARD REPAIR WORK BEGINS WEEK OF MARCH 8, 2010
(Avalon, NJ)—Extensive repairs to the Avalon Boulevard Bridge over Ingram’s Thorofare are expected to
begin during the week of March 8, 2010 and continue until May 27th, 2010. The project will include some
intermittent lane closures on weekdays, but not on weekends. This bridge is the high span bridge on
Avalon Boulevard.
The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders adopted Resolution No. 71-10 on January 26th, 2010
that awards a contract to IEW Construction Group, Inc. of Trenton, New Jersey. The cost of the project is
absorbed by the county, and totals just under $900,000.
Work to be performed under this contract consists of concrete repairs to pre-stressed concrete beams,
girders, diaphragms, pier columns, and pier caps; reconstruction of abutment headblocks, installation of
conduit wiring for traffic control units; maintenance and protection of traffic; and other work associated
with bridge repairs.
The bridge work will necessitate alternate lane closures, possibly starting in late March or early April.
Traffic control will be conducted through the use of portable traffic signals located at each end of the
bridge. Permissible lane closing times are 6:00am Monday through 7:00am Friday, excluding holidays.
No reconstruction work, and no lane closures will be permitted during the weekends. Lane closures may
also be in effect during the overnight hours weekdays through early Friday morning.
Updates on the project will be available on the Borough’s official website, www.avalonboro.org; on
Avalon’s own low-power radio station, 1630AM; and on ShoreTV Channel 2, on the Comcast cable
television system.
(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi announced that the Borough will hold a very special Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday, May 31st, to conclude the first summer holiday weekend at the Jersey Shore. Retired Marine Sgt. Jason Simms Sr. of Havertown, Pennsylvania, will be the keynote speaker during Avalon’s Memorial Day ceremony.
(Avalon, NJ)—Lady Luck was on Avalon’s side Wednesday morning, April 21st, 2010. Avalon won a ceremonial coin flip on the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge, and will very likely be the first community to get a new beach during an emergency beach fill project that will begin in the coming weeks.
(Avalon/Sea Isle City, NJ)—Avalon and Sea Isle City will be getting a major beach fill project that is set to begin in a few weeks. This emergency beach fill project will repair and restore beaches in both communities that were washed out to sea courtesy of repeated coastal storms that impacted the local shoreline during the fall/winter storm season of 2009-2010.
