Leeann

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Work will soon begin on the final phase of Middle Township’s Bike Path, fulfilling a vision that’s been many years in the making.

The Township awarded the construction contract to Landberg Construction LLC at its July 19 Committee meeting. Construction on the 4.16-mile extension is expected to take 4 to 6 months.

The Bike Path has been supported through funding from the Cape May County Open Space Board, which has awarded the project a total of $2,285,575.

When completed, the new portion will stretch north from the end of the current path at the Cape May County Park and Zoo. It will run adjacent to Court House South Dennis Road, cross the Stone Harbor Golf Course, and then move back into the Atlantic City Electric right-of-way to connect with the Dennis Township bike path on the northern boundary of the Township at Brooks Avenue. The extension will bring the total distance of the path through Middle Township to approximately 13 miles.

Construction on the original portion of the path began in 2006, while the extension project started in 2016.

But the final phase encountered numerous obstacles along the way. The original plan for the extension required three realignments to navigate around issues such as endangered species, DEP regulations, residential concerns, and private/public easements. Each time, Middle had to survey land, determine boundaries for wetlands and prepare new plans. Middle Township was ultimately able to submit a final alignment to the DEP last Fall and received approval this Spring.

Once the plan was approved, the Township submitted another funding application to the County Open Space Board to cover not only the cost to construct the remainder of the bike path but also for safety measures along the trail. The Open Space Board recently awarded an additional $615,314 to complete the path.

“It took a lot of heavy lifting and the cooperation of multiple agencies to bring this project to the starting gate,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “We want to thank our great Middle Team and all the parties involved, especially the County Commissioner Board, County Open Space Board Chairman Peter Lomax, and Planning Director Leslie Gimeno.”

“There were many hands that helped this project along and it could not have been possible without sincere dedication and the desire to see that our Township is fully connected in the County-Wide Bike Path System,” said Director of Grants and Economic Development Nancy Sittineri. “We are extremely pleased to offer this amenity to our residents and visitors alike.”

The Division of Taxation has begun mailing 2020 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) checks to applicants who filed before May 1, 2021. The deadline for 2020 applications is November 1, 2021.

We will mail checks to qualified applicants as follows:

Application filed:                               Checks will be issued on or before:

Before May 1, 2021                                   July 15, 2021

May 1 – June 1, 2021                                September 1, 2021

June 2 – September 1, 2021                      November 1, 2021

September 2 – November 1, 2021              December 1, 2021

opens in a new windowSenior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Program 2020 Eligibility Requirements

• Senior Freeze infoline: 1-800-882-6597 to check the status of a filed application, order an application, and ask questions.
• Automated infoline: 1-800-323-4400 to listen to prerecorded information.
• Online: www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ptr/index.shtml
• Email: nj.taxation@treas.nj.gov for general information.
• In person: Go to njtaxation.org, then Contact Us and click Visit.
• Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or those with a speech disability, visit njrelay.com or call 711.

Middle Township’s Summer Concert Series at the Ockie Wisting Recreation Complex Tuesday July 20th.

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Middle Township granted extension to continue work toward fair housing plan

Public hearing on ‘mandatory set-aside’ ordinance scheduled for August 16

Middle Township took further steps toward establishing a detailed fair housing plan as it anticipates a court order granting the municipality more time to finalize its strategy.

New Jersey Superior Court Judge John C. Porto extended the Township’s immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits through Sept. 30 as it works on a fair housing plan. Such remedies can permit developers to construct multi-family housing with affordable housing allocated outside the scope of local zoning regulations.

As part of its commitment to voluntary compliance on affordable housing, the Township is scheduled to meet with the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC). The organization filed a court motion arguing the Township’s immunity had expired, while the municipality maintained its status had not changed as it worked toward resolving outstanding issues.

The Township entered into negotiations with FSHC in 2019 to address its obligation under fair-share housing formulas.

“We are gratified to see Judge Porto extend the immunity through the end of September,” Mayor Tim Donohue said.  “We continue to work in good faith toward a solid plan that aligns with the Township’s vision for sustainable development while creating reasonable opportunities for affordable housing.”

Based on the discussion at a July 7 Case Management Conference, with the consent of all parties, the judge scheduled several steps:

• A requirement for the Township to complete a framework of its Fair Share Plan by July 30.
• A mediation session between the parties on Aug. 5.
• A follow-up conference with the court on Aug. 19.

Meanwhile, the Township’s planner is actively working on a plan to ensure compliance with affordable housing regulations.

The Township took a major step toward its plan by introducing a mandatory affordable housing set-aside ordinance within the Town Center zoning district at its July 7 Township Committee meeting.

The ordinance establishes a 20 percent mandatory affordable housing set-aside requirement for “any residential development located in the TC ‘Town Center’ zoning district.” The rule would also apply to the residential portion of a mixed-use project that consists of five or more new residential units. The Town Center district is the district serviced by public sewer.

Affordable units would be integrated with market-rate units, not in separate buildings or separate areas, according to the ordinance.

The ordinance passed a first reading at the meeting. A second reading, public hearing and consideration for adoption is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Township Committee meeting.

Gandy calls for reopening of Scotch Bonnet Crabbing Pier

Middle Twp. Deputy Mayor seeks county partnership to restore affordable family-friendly attraction

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The crabbing pier at Scotch Bonnet has been closed for three years. Township Committee members support a community petition urging officials to reopen the pier.

Middle Township Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy today called for the creation of a working group between the Township and the County of Cape May to develop a timely and achievable reopening plan for the family-friendly crabbing pier at Scotch Bonnet on Stone Harbor Boulevard.

The crabbing pier was “closed for repairs” nearly three years ago. No steps have been taken since then to address the safety concerns that forced the pier’s shutdown in late July 2018.

“For generations of Middle Township families, the Scotch Bonnet Pier was a summer tradition,” Gandy said. “My grandfather took my dad crabbing there and my dad took me. We hate to see that special experience for families come to an end.”

Gandy pointed out that many hard-working families can’t afford a boat or a fishing charter.

“Regular folks should not be robbed of access to our waterways and affordable opportunities to fish, crab and enjoy the unique natural beauty of Middle Township,” Gandy said.

Middle Township has reached out to County Engineer Robert Church and Commissioner Will Morey to request a meeting with Township Administration and Municipal Engineer Vince Orlando. The Township aims to discuss the challenges in repairing the pier and develop strategies for how to approach them.

“We know there are structural issues, safety concerns and parking problems to be addressed. This is not an easy fix,” Gandy said. “But if we only did what was easy, we wouldn’t get much work done.”

Gandy believes the time to act is now, as the county prepares for the paving and improvement of Stone Harbor Boulevard this fall. The pier is on the north side of the Scotch Bonnet Bridge, along Stone Harbor Boulevard.

“The county should incorporate plans for a parking area and traffic-calming measures at Scotch Bonnet into their pending paving project on the Boulevard,” Gandy said. “This would be a great first step to addressing the needed upgrades and ensure that we build real momentum to reopen the pier for our families.”

Gandy lauded residents’ efforts to draw elected officials’ attention through a grassroots petition drive to reopen the pier. All three members of Township Committee have signed the petition.

“Nearly 1,300 residents and visitors who love the pier and cherish their memories crabbing with friends and family have signed the petition,” Gandy said. “I would be honored to present that petition to the Board of Commissioners on behalf of the people of Middle Township.”

Those who support the reopening of the Scotch Bonnet Crabbing Pier can sign the petition at change.org/p/elected-officials-of-cape-may-county-nj-repair-scotch-bonnet-crabbing-and-fishing-bridge

Rio Grande fire commissioners and Fire Company members team up to add Ockie Wisting flagpoles 

Middle Township will acknowledge contributors during July 13 concert at the rec complex 

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Ockie Wisting Recreation Complex is named for a veteran Rio Grande Fire Company member. Now the site has two flagpoles that were donated and installed with the help of the fire commissioners and fire company. 

Middle Township’s Ockie Wisting Recreation Complex recently received a patriotic donation from the Rio Grande fire commissioners – two brand-new flagpoles.

Former Fire Commissioner J. Gregory Neill was attending a summer concert at the Ockie Wisting Complex when Mayor Tim Donohue expressed interest in a flagpole for the park, which opened in 2017. Neill, whose family previously participated in flagpole donations in the Township, decided to spearhead the new effort at Ockie Wisting.

Now the flagpoles are up, and Middle Township will honor all who contributed to it at an upcoming summer concert on Tuesday, July 13.

The District 2 Rio Grande fire commissioners donated the flags and poles. Firefighters from Rio Grande’s all-volunteer District 2 supplied water for the concrete and helped pour the concrete. John McNulty, owner of Bayshore Landscaping, donated the concrete and additional labor.

Ockie Wisting already had a special tie to the local fire company. The complex is named for Robert O. “Ockie” Wisting, a 51-year member of the Rio Grande Volunteer Fire Company, who lost his life during a fire call. Wisting is the only fire fighter in Middle Township killed in the line of duty.

Neill, who is still a Rio Grande firefighter, rallied support for the project among members of the Middle Township Fire District #2 and the Rio Grande Volunteer Fire Company. He said he wanted this project to have meaning to those who visit Ockie Wisting.

An additional flagpole, contributed by the same group, is located at the Railroad Ave Recreation Complex.

“The Township greatly appreciates the additions of the flagpoles to both Ockie Wisting and Railroad Ave Recreation Complex,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “We’re thankful to Greg Neill and his family for leading the initiative and all those who contributed to the projects.”

“This is our way of honoring past and present firefighters and past and present fire commissioners for their service and commitment to the fire district and the Township of Middle,” said Neill.

Neill noted that the American flag became particularly important to his family after his son, William, joined the United States Marines Corps. five years ago. Neill and his family previously were involved in flag donations at the Rio Grande Fire Company and two at Goshen Complex.

Middle to hit pause on recreational cannabis licenses

Township will introduce ordinance amid lack of clarity on state regulations

Middle Township will introduce an ordinance on July 7 to ban, at least temporarily, all classes of recreational cannabis licenses.

The Township has supported the pending application of the Insa medical cannabis facility in the municipality and sought public input on permitting dispensaries. But the complexities of state legislation leave too many questions for the Township to proceed at this time.

“Since the law to legalize adult-use cannabis passed in February, the Township has been doing its due diligence to make the most well-informed decision on this important issue,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “In order to be confident that our plans serve the best interest of the Township, we need to fully understand the state regulations and we need a final answer on whether or not the application for a medicinal cannabis facility planned for Indian Trail Road is going to be approved by the state. We still don’t have those answers and the clock is running out on us.”

After New Jersey legalized marijuana, municipalities were given an Aug. 22 deadline to regulate the public use, sales and manufacture of cannabis within their borders.

Middle Township already acted to ban marijuana smoking in public spaces, which is consistent with its regulations on cigarette smoking and alcohol use.

The Township has not received the necessary details and direction from the state to move forward with marijuana licenses, Donohue said. If a municipality takes no action to ban recreational adult-use sales by the Aug. 22 deadline, cannabis sales are permitted by default and the municipality cannot propose a ban for another five years.

Middle Township was among several communities to approach state lawmakers about extending the Aug. 22 deadline until the state could provide more clarity. But the date was not changed and Middle Township must take action at its next meeting to pass a ban by the deadline.

“It’s a frustrating situation for the Township Committee,” Donohue said. “More than two-thirds of Township voters supported legalization and we are already on the record in support of the Insa application for a medicinal cannabis facility here. I believe we are moving toward a consensus that would permit at least one recreational dispensary.  But we simply do not have all the information needed at this time to be comfortable with that decision.”

Communities that pass ordinances banning recreational cannabis sales before the Aug. 22 deadline have the option to make those ordinances less restrictive on their own timetables.

While residents have expressed a variety of concerns related to legalization, Donohue said marijuana can be used locally whether or not Middle Township permits recreational dispensaries.

“Banning recreational sales doesn’t ban legal weed from any town,” Donohue said. “Adult residents can still purchase and use cannabis, in its many consumable forms, from sources outside township limits, including delivery to their door from an approved New Jersey dispensary.”

Towns that permit dispensaries can tax retail sales up to 2 percent and wholesale transactions at 1 percent. Municipalities in other states have gained significant revenue, helping to reduce increases in property taxes, and fund cannabis education, addiction prevention and community policing efforts.

“The law as passed is complicated and the specifics of the regulatory environment remain unclear,” Donohue said. “In order to protect the Township, we must act to ban sales for now. In order to do so, we must introduce the ordinance at our July 7 meeting to beat the August 22 deadline.”