The Mayor highlighted the accomplishments in the Borough in the 14 years that he has held the position. The focus has been on:
- There have been five major beach fills since 1991. The last one completed last year is supposed to be maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers for 50 years. The dune system can be evaluated and repaired as necessary.
- The 8th Street jetty has been extended.
- Stormwater management has been improved with pumps along Ocean Drive, Dune Drive and at 8th Street.
- The sea wall project is about to start. The current wall in Townsend's Inlet was given a 30-year life span when it was built 40 years ago. It is failing.
- Expansion of the Public Safety Building is going out for bid. The new facility will be public friendly, and as well as housing the police and emergency squad will be used for running certain health tests. It will include a state of the art communications system for public safety.
- The Volunteer Fire Company has expanded. It has overcome the manpower problem of a few years ago. Twenty-five men and women participated in a recent drill. This is largely due to the residents approving the LOSAP program several years ago.
- There has been an aggressive defibrillator program. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been placed in every public building in Avalon and there has been a program to install units in all churches on 7-Mile Island. Training has been performed island-wide by Avalon EMS personnel.
- The New Jersey Public Safety Award was awarded to the Avalon Volunteer Fire Company in 2004.
- Phase 1 of the back-bay dredging was completed several years ago. Council is about to get a request to start the permit process for Phase 2.
- New recreation facilities have been built at 39th Street, 12th Street and a skate park at 29th and the beach. The last was paid for through a state Green Acres grant and low interest loan.
- $7 million has been invested in the business district. This has spurred investment with new business and residential development in the area.
- The School/Library project has started. The ground breaking was on August 26.
- Agreements have been reached with four cell phone companies to place antennas on the 38th Street water tower. The moneys obtained will be used to offset increases in the water and sewer rates.
- About twelve shared service programs have been set up with other communities. There have been five outsourced management contracts for privatization of services, one of which is with NJ
- American Water Co. to service the water and stormwater systems for 10 years.
- The JIF (Joint Insurance Fund) program for employee health insurance saves over $500,000 a year in costs. Participants in this fund include all of Atlantic County and about half of the communities in Cape May County.
What have all these meant to Avalon in the 14 years:
- About $52 million in grant money has been obtained from county, state and federal governments. This is five times more than any other municipality in the county.
- A local purpose tax rate of 18 cents, the lowest in the state
- Ratables have increased from $2.4 billion to $5.2 billion. They are increasing so fast that another revaluation may be needed in two years.
- A Moody Rating of AAA, which is the highest of all coastal towns.
- A 15% discount in flood insurance rates. A request has been made to Council to make changes that will result in a 20% discount.
- Debt service has been kept in check so that only 0.5% in funds is needed to be kept aside.
- There is $2.5 million set aside to offset unforeseen debts
