Leeann

Public Work’s Ron Lessor Named Middle Employee of the Month

Middle Township Public Works Laborer Ron Lessor has been recognized as the municipality’s September Employee of the Month. Lessor was nominated for the award by Public Works Superintendent Rob Flynn and Assistant Superintendent Dave Maahs.

“Ron has been a great asset since joining the Public Works team. He approaches all assigned tasks quickly and efficiently,” Rob Flynn said. “His logging experience has come in handy on many occasions in dealing with problematic trees and vegetation.”

Lessor was hired as a part-time Laborer in September 2022 and moved to full-time status in April 2023.

“If there were more people like Ron, the world would be a better place,” said Assistant Superintendent Maahs, “I’m glad to work beside him every day.”

Lessor will be honored by Mayor Leusner and Township Committee at Middle Township’s Public Meeting at 6pm on October 7th.

Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy oversees the Public Works department and lauded Lessor for his work ethic and positive attitude.

“Ron has a diverse background that makes him such a valuable team member,” Gandy said. “His cheerful disposition and “can do” attitude set a great example for all Township employees to follow.
The Middle Township Employee of the Month program was initiated by the Township Committee to honor employees who exemplify the Township’s commitment to better delivery of services and going the extra mile for residents. The program culminates with the Darius Graham Employee of the Year honor that is named after one of the Township’s most beloved employees in its history.

Nominations for the Employee of the Month Program are available at Township Hall at two locations: Human Resources Department and Administration Department. Residents from the Township who have had a very positive interaction with any Middle Township employee may pick up the one-page nomination form and fill it out in the employee’s behalf.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP LOOKS TO REGULATE USE OF HOUSEBOATS

When most people think of a houseboat, they might picture a run-down boat, questionably seaworthy. But the appeal of houseboats in America has never been more popular. From newly constructed contemporary-style abodes to restored barges or canal boats, an increasing number of new and refurbished vessels are appearing in local waters.

Business owners in Middle Township have approached the municipality to discuss plans to moor houseboats at local marinas that could be utilized as short-term rentals.

The Township realized the need to license and regulate this on water “Airbnb” style concept in order to ensure safe and sanitary operations. Township Committee took official action to address these concerns at their September 4^th meeting; passing an ordinance to amend the code of the Township of Middle to specifically regulate houseboats.

Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy, who serves on the Planning Board and oversees the Construction and Zoning Offices, recognized the Township’s staff and professionals for their efforts to address this new and complex scenario.

“I applaud Administrator Kim Osmundsen and her team for taking a proactive approach to addressing this new short-term rental concept on our beautiful waterways,” Gandy said. “We certainly want to encourage this creative opportunity to offer access to waterfront rentals while ensuring the same regulations we enforce for traditional rental properties are adapted and formally adopted to apply to houseboat operators.”

To begin with, Township passed a ban on floating homes, defined as a structure which is designed or modified to be used as a stationary waterborne residential dwelling with no marine engine and which does not move about from place to place. Per the amendment to the code, floating homes are prohibited.

A houseboat is defined as a waterborne vessel, shallow draft vessel or boat powered by a marine engine which can move about from place to place in water, fitted with living accommodations designed and intended to be used for on-site living. No person, firm or corporation shall carry on the business of mooring or renting a houseboat in the Township of Middle unless the marina operator receives a houseboat license. The license may be granted only by Middle Township Committee, by resolution.

The annual license for houseboat rentals/moorage will cover one calendar year and there shall be no reduction of the annual license fee for any period shorter than one calendar year. The annual license fee for a houseboat rental license shall be $500.00 plus $100.00 for each houseboat covered by the license as contained in the most recent license application. An annual fee shall also be required for fire prevention inspections for all rental units. An application for every houseboat license shall receive a recommendation from the Planning Board for site plan approval.

Applications and fees for annual renewal of houseboat licenses shall be filed with the Township Clerk not later than December 1st of the expiring license year.

Houseboats are permitted only in commercial marinas, provided that the maximum density of houseboat berths does not exceed 30% of the total number of berths in the marina. One parking space shall be provided for houseboats with two bedrooms or less. Two parking spaces shall be provided for houseboats with three or more bedrooms. The proposed development may not generate the need for extension or expansion of public facilities and services including schools, roads, police, fire, water and sewer.

Applicants for a houseboat license must provide detailed plans and information on managing trash removal, sourcing potable water and safely pumping and disposing of sewage and wastewater. The Township Code Enforcement Official and all inspectors of the Construction Official’s office, Township Engineer, Fire Prevention Bureau and the Township Committee or any authorized officials are authorized to make inspections to determine whether any health laws and ordinances are being violated and may enter any facility to make any inspection.

Violations of the amended ordinance will be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding ninety days or a period of community service not to exceed ninety days, in the discretion of the municipal court.

County Announces Safety Upgrades to Middle Township Intersection

opens in a new window

Despite significant traffic calming upgrades over the past several years, the Middle Township Police Department continues to respond to several motor vehicles accidents per year at the intersection of Court House – South Dennis Rd. and Goshen-Swainton Rd.  Both roads are operated and maintained by the County of Cape May.

“As a Middle Township resident, I’ve heard safety concerns related to this intersection for several years,” County Commissioner Melanie Collette said.  “When I joined the County Commission in January and met with Middle Township Mayor Leusner, these concerns were high on our shared list of priorities.”

Court House-South Dennis Rd. is a major route to the barrier islands in the summer season.  Goshen-Swainton Rd. has seen significant residential development in recent years and provides access to two large seasonal camping resorts.

Recently, the County awarded a contract to a traffic engineering consulting firm to evaluate the intersection.  Based on the findings of this study, the county will proceed with the installation of overhead flashing caution lights equipped with back plates to increase awareness of the intersection approaching from the north and south.  The approved plan calls for a pair of signal heads facing each direction of travel with the flashing red signal facing Goshen-Swainton Road and the flashing caution (yellow) facing Court House- South Dennis Road.

The plan also calls for the closure of the passing zone for south bound CR 657 (Court House- South Dennis Rd.)  traffic leaving the intersection, and the addition of new traffic striping and markings.

“I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for their ongoing partnership with Middle Township to continually improve the safety of this vital intersection,” Mayor Chris Leusner said.

Over the past six years, the County has performed several traffic calming upgrades along the approach to the intersection including the following:

• Closing the approach passing zones to the north along CR 657
• Adding centerline rumble strips and reflectors along Cr 657
• Doubling up the road warning signs and installing radar activated flashing stop signs along Goshen-Swainton Road
• Installing approach rumble strip arrays and warning text along both roads
• Adding radar feedback signs along CR 657
• Clearing trees at the intersection to improve sight lines
• Advising motorist to turn headlights on approaching the intersection
• Speed surveys and traffic counts

“Regrettably, these prior measures have not changed all drivers’ behavior approaching the intersection and traffic calming still remains an issue,” County Commission Director Len Desiderio said. “The addition of these overhead caution lights, traffic calming striping and supplemental road markings should further enhance the safety of the intersection.  We encourage all drivers to be alert and follow the posted speed limits.”

County Engineer Robert Church emphasized that these latest safety improvements were part of an interim plan to improve the safety of the intersection in the near term.  The County’s long term and permanent improvement plan is to evaluate the design and construct a roundabout at the intersection location which will slow traffic to acceptable speeds yet keep traffic moving.