Middle Pursues Grant Support for Del Haven Residents’ Transition to Fresh Water
Middle pursues grant support for Del Haven residents’ transition to fresh water
Resolution paves way to apply for Innovative Development Fund assistance through state
Construction on the piping to connect to Del Haven residential lines begins in June. The work will be done in sections over the course of a year, and residents will have up to a year after completion to opt in.
Cape May Court House, N.J. – As construction nears for the Del Haven water supply project, Middle Township is seeking ways to assist residents with one-time connection costs.
A partnership between Middle and the Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority will bring fresh water to the bayfront community of Del Haven, whose residents currently use well water.
The water connection will be available to 953 properties, the vast majority of which are residential. Property owners are responsible for paying for their plumbing hookup, as well as the MUA installation fee. The $1,600 fee can be paid interest-free over three years.
Middle Township is actively pursuing additional options to make the costs as manageable as possible.
At its March 23 meeting, the Township Committee will authorize an application to the Innovative Development Fund through the state Department of Community Affairs Small Cities Community Block Grant Program.
The fund is available to local governments to support innovative projects, including initiatives that provide cost-savings measures and efficiencies for the community. The Township secured similar grants for the Whitesboro water and sewer projects in the early 2000s. If Middle receives funding, it will be divided among Del Haven property owners to help cover their plumbing costs.
“We also are aggressively pursuing every possible grant that could offset the costs for low- and moderate-income residents,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “That’s part of our overall objective to give Del Haven residents access to the same service as the rest of the Township.”
Work is underway on hydrants for Del Haven, and construction on the piping to connect to the residential lines will start in June. Contractors will complete a section at a time over the course of a year. Residents will have up to a year from the time of completion to connect to the fresh water supply.
PROJECT ROAD CLOSURE
The installation of a water main for the Del Haven project will require the closure of Bayshore Road (between Middle Township and Lower Township) for approximately two weeks, tentatively beginning April 4.
The road will remain closed 24 hours a day throughout the two-week period, as the equipment used to drill the tunnel cannot be moved once in position.
Del Haven Water Project Advisory – Bayshore Road Closure beginning April 4th, 2022
Del Haven Water Project Advisory
The contractor for the Del Haven Water Project is gearing up for water main installation which will require the closure of Bay Shore Road (between Middle Township and Lower Township) for approximately 2 weeks.
During that time, the road will need to remain closed 24-hours per day as the equipment used to drill the tunnel cannot be moved once in position.
The tentative schedule is to start the road closure on April 4, 2022.
One week prior to closing the road a Variable Message Sign (VMS) board within the work zone will be put up to inform motorists that the road will be closed for 2 weeks starting on a given day.
Work Session and Township Committee Meeting Moved to March 23, 2022
Please be advised that the Work Session and Regular Township Committee Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 21st, have been moved to Wednesday, March 23rd at their respective times.
The Board of Health meeting has been canceled.
Road Construction Notice
ROAD CONSTRUCTION NOTICE
Construction and repairs will begin this week on the following roads in Middle Township starting Wednesday:
Crest Road
Mt. Vernon Avenue
East Romney Place
Please be advised that Roadway Reconstruction & Resurfacing activities are scheduled to commence on or about March 22, 2022 (weather permitting). Following concrete improvements (along Crest Rd between Mt. Vernon Ave & Ormond Rd ONLY), the roadways will be milled and repaved in early April (additional notification to follow prior to paving).
During most times, the road will remain open to LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY. Please be advised, however, that minor delays will be experienced in areas where heavy equipment is active. During the placement of the surface course, road and driveway access may be severely curtailed.
Family Fun Day April 1st from 5 to 8pm at MLK Center
Middle Township partners with community group for Family Fun Day on April 1
Recreation Department and Progressive Black Initiative planning activities at MLK Center
Teamwork is central to most activities held at the Martin Luther King Center, the hub of youth sports in Middle Township.
A Family Fun Day planned for April 1 at the center is no different. The free community event is a team effort between Middle Township Recreation and the Progressive Black Initiative (PBI).
Kids will be able to see a magic show, and participate in family Zumba, candy bingo, arts and crafts, a video game tournament and more at Family Fun Day from 5 to 8 p.m.
Committeeman Jim Norris, who oversees the Recreation Department, said the event grew out of brainstorming sessions with Superintendent Dustin Sturm and PBI President Anthony Anderson.
“We wanted an event for families to come and play together, not an event where kids just get dropped off,” he said. “PBI has been a great partner on this event and others. Middle Township is always seeking common ground to bring good people together to do good work!”
Others are pitching in to provide free fun for families. Home Depot donated kits to build flower boxes. Westside Meats and 7 Mile Pies in Stone Harbor are contributing food. Businesses and organizations including 609 Nutrition Spot, Atlantic Cape Community College-Atlantic County Admissions, Cape May County Caring for Kids and No Limits Boxing will set up tables at the event.
Events like Family Fun Day support Middle’s vision for expanding Recreation Department programming, Norris said.
“We would love to see the rec center occupied every night with kids watching movies, playing video games, playing sports or using the playgrounds,” he said. “We want to become a true community center for the residents and youth across all of Middle Township.”
Recent renovations make the center more inviting for visitors, added Sturm.
“The new lines in the gym make it easier to teach kids the rules of the sports we offer. The center also is a lot more welcoming with the new flooring and paint.”
Although Family Fun Day will primarily be an indoor event, Sturm expects kids to take advantage of the new outdoor basketball nets.
Bringing people together in Middle Township is a goal that goes beyond the day of the event, organizers said.
“We hope to enhance the bonds and relationships we currently have with hundreds of families throughout the community,” Sturm said.
