Die Publishers Of The '

Lower Township

‘■1 “W CAPE /WAV mm*

Are Pleased To Present The

LANTERN

Vol. 1 No. 11

Thursday, July 19,1979

Cape May Amends Village Greene Actioik

CAPE MAY - The Cape May City Council reversed its engines Monday night and amended a proposed $200,000 bond ordinance that would have financed improvements to areas of a private housing development that have not yet received subdivision or environmental approval. The action to amend ordinance number 560, passed July 2, came after protests from the HotelMotel Association and the Cape May Taxpayer's Association and a resolution by the City Planning Board. The two citizens groups are plaintiffs in a suit against the City and Thomas F. Brodesser, Jr. and Phillip B. Robinson, developers of Cape May Greene, Inc. (or Village Greene). The suit alleges that an agreement with the developers obligating the city to water and drainage construction is illegal. The suit, which appeals an earlier decision upholding a 1969 agreement between the City and Village Greene contends that according to the original agreement made in 1954 the city is not obligated to provide such services to the development. The passage of ordinance No. 560 last week allows for the raising of $200,000 to finance the construction of water mains where necessary on undeveloped blocks of land on Missouri

and Delware Aves, in the Village Greene development. Five of the six blocks provided for under the ordinance have received neither city planning board subdivision approval nor Coastal Area (CAFRA) approval. In addition, the council's passage of the ordinance was made without City Planning Board approval. "If council believes the Taxpayer’s Association or Hotel-Motel Association suit would be damaged in any way, I think we should eliminate the three blocks on Missouri and two blocks on Delaware," Robert Cabana, City Manager said. Councilman Frank Coldren agreed that the ordinance should be restructured to cover only the areas granted subdivision status and claimed he did not know planning board approval of the proposed ordinance had not been obtained prior to passage. Cabana said he had recommended passage of the ordinance because "I believe that area ingoing to be developed," he said. Cabana did not say why the planning board had not been consulted. Planning board chairman Tom Carroll said 4he board was given no previous notice '■ of the

to

supersede the Planning

proposed ordinance. "It’s not quite right

Board’s authority," Carroll said in a telephone interview Tuesday. Asked if such procedure was unusual Carroll said, "the whole thing is unusual.” The planning board has refused approval of such plans for the development until assurances are given that the city can afford them, he added. Cabana said Monday night that $50,000 has already been spent on improvements to the development. Mahor Arthur Blomkvest said the City must follow court rulings on the case which require the City to make the improvements. "I don’t think the City should have to pay, but we’re obligated by court rulings.” "I don’t want to have $200,000 judgements against us,” Blomkvest added. "I think the Oty did the right thing,” Gus Andy Hotel-Motel Association President said. "I just don't think the City should do free plumbing for anybody." The city first entered into an agreement with Cape May Greene, Inc. in 1954. The agreement stipulates that the city sell the corporation designated lands of $12,000. The corporation agreed to make not less than $100,000 in improvements within one year of title. The City, jn return was dbligated ’to

"provide streets and water facilities as may be reasonably required." The streets and water service could not be extended beyond existing buildings dr before buildings on the lands were completed. "The City shall not be obligated to construct sanitary sewers nor storm sewers; provided, however, that the City, at its option, when, as and If funds are available, may undertake construction of

sewer facilities," If the City exercised that option they would not tfe responsible for more than one-thrid the project cost, according to the agreement. A 1962 subdivision ordinance was then passed requiring developers to install improvements in"cluding cultvertsand storm sewers at their own expense A 1965 resolution amended the subdivision ordinance to allow the City

to furnish some of the improvements for certain developments “in the interest of attracting needed large-qpale development affecting one, or more full City blocks/ the City Council may upon the advice of the Planning Board by resolution agree with the developer to furnish at City expense some of the above improvements." A 1969 resolution further extended the previctis (Continued on Page 16)

ONE WAY TO BEAT THE HEAT. As. temperatures and humidity soared in South Jersey this week many-Lower Township residents flocked to area pools and beaches like this one in Villas.

4-H Prepares For

Fair Opening

COURT HOUSE - 4-H members, leaders and parents have been working all year to prepare for the Annual Cape May County 4H Fair to be held July 19, 20. 21 at the 4-H Fairgrounds located on Dennisville Road, Rt. 657, Cape May Court House. The theme of this years 4-H Fair is "Today’s Child - Tomorrow’s Leader" saluting The International Year of the Child: According to the 4-H Agent Betty Jean Jesuncosky. everyone has worked to make this years Fair better than ever. The 4-H Fair is a showpiece where 4-H members may exhibit their efforts in 4-H project work and receive awards for outstanding accomplishments. The Lockwood 4-H Youth Center will house project exhibits in horticulture, clothing, arts n' crafts, foods, hobbies and collections as well as many commercial exhibitors and 4*H Prep displays. All

animal exhibits, horses, hogs, lambs, goats, poultry and other animals will be exhibited in tents at the West end of the Fairgrounds adjacent to the Horse Show ring. Activities at the Fair this year will include the annual 4-H Lamb and Hog Sales held on Thursday evening of the Fair. Mr. Donald Kniffen, livestock specialist from Cook College. Rutgers University, will again be the judge of these animals. Mr. Stoney Harris of Cowtown, Salem County will again be the auctioneer at the sale. These animals will go on auction and be sold to the highest bidder at the sale. Many of the buyers donate the meat to worthy causes, such as the hospital. Fresh Air Homes. Nursing Homes, etc. Businesses, service clubs and individual buyers are encouraged to bid on their

favorites.

The 4-H Fair is chocked

(Continued on Page 16)

REGAL 4-H*ers. Current 4-H Queen Nancy Tomlin (kneeling) is surrounded by hopeful successors to the throne. Pictured (I. to r.) are Wendy Calkins, Gloria Unkle. Elaine Day, Roseann Campbell and Vicki Countiss. Selection of a new queen will culminate the events of the annual Cape may County 4-H Fair Saturday evening.

Ocean Academy To Decide On Home

CAPE MAY-A decision on the location d Ocean Academy’s new home will be made by the end of this week, George Bailey, shcool superintendent said. The Academy's lease on buildings adjacent to the Christian Admiral Bible Conference Center which runs out Aug. 31 was not renewed because former tenants Shelton College will reoccupy the campus later 'this year. ' The college, which moved it campus to Florida several years ago is expected to relocate back to its former Cape May campus this winter pending State Board ,of Education approval. Shelton College is operated by the Rev. Carl Me Intire who owns the Christian Admiral. Bailey said several alternative sites have been discussed including one in ‘'West Cape May. The Academy wants to stay in the lower part of the county

because most of its students are from Lowqr and middle Townships, Bailey said. Ocean Academy, a school for special needs children, has leased the Cape May buildings for the past four years. Some 96 students attend school at the Cape May campus. An additional 80 students attend a Marmora campus, Bailey said. Students range in age fron three to 21. he added. Plans for a new school building in Cape May Court House are complete and await approval of funding by the county Board of Chosen Freeholders, Bailey said. The building would be completed two or three years after funding is received, he said. Lower Township Schools superintendent Edward Campbell has been very helpful in helping the Academy select a new site. Bailey said.