AGAINST THE BACKDROP of scores of tuna tournament sponsored by Sooth side today's paper to find out who brought

sport fishing boats, the weigh-in takes Jersey Fishing Center. Scheflenger Ijm- the big ones back, place following last week’s marlin and ding. See Boyd Tyler’s fishing column in-

AP

CAPE AAAY

COUNTY V

Vol. 16 NO. 28 IW S*o>»ov*Corp Allr.yhU

±

July 15,1981

PUBUSHfO fVERV WEONfSOAV BV THE SI AVTAVI <«PerOWATlON ■•o HOX 0 AVALON N I 0870?

What to Do with Old Lighthouse?

* by Paul Artberton NORTH WILDWOOD - A small number of local residents gathered at city hall Friday and voiced optimism for the future of the 105-year-old Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. The informal hearing was also attended by consultants from ProjA for Public Spaces Inc., a private firm nired by the state Dept, of Environmental Protection to study the building and evaluate how it could best serve the needs of the community. The group sent questionnaires to local residents last Thursday as well as conducted street and telephone interviews. •WE HAVE EXAMINED a series of

uses for the lighthouse but we think it’s important that it fits into the community.” said Kathem Love, research director for the Project for Public Spaces. Lov« explained that, in conjunction with the city, theyHj^d studied six possible uses for the lighthouse. Those suggestions most, highly favored at the meeting were the proposals to use the lighthouse as a local history or maritime museum combined with an information center. The lighthouse is cqrrently used to store Marine Police equipment. "A L&CAL HISTORY or maritime museum would benefit the citizens and it could becotne a very popular attraction for Inevitable Storm

tourists," said local historian Steven Mac-

Donald.

Phillis Catanoso, wife of Mayor Anthony Catanoso and a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the Lighthouse, thought the lighthouse would be ideal as an infbrmatioh center. "Right now we have to use a trailer as an information bureau." she noted. She also suggested using the lighthouse as a facility for the arts, while Lena Versaggi of E. 15th St. said that it could become a new home for the now defunct Wildwood Community Orchestra THERE WAS A GENERAL feeling at (Page 26 Please i

ProtectingWithSand

News Digest

EXITS U> the mainland from barrier island communities will be inundated during the most severe coastal storms. But there are precautions that can be taken by towns to protect against disaster, notes geologist Stew Farrel.

by Jack J. ChieHi Since the devastating storm of March 1962 the Borough of Avalon has made significant progress in building up dunes that will protect it from disaster. That is what Dr. Stew Farrel, a geologist working out of Stockton State College for the Center of Environmental Research, explained during a Post Storm Planning Meeting July 8 in borough hall. "I'm not here to tell you what do do, but what’s been done," he noted. "We want to make Avalon a prime example of what a community on a barrier island can do to help prevent the catastrophe of a strong storm." AVALON IS ONE OF the few places along the Jersey coast with high dunes. Between 36th and 60th sts., the dunes reach a maximum height of 54 ft. Dr. Farrel contends this is the best type of natural protection one can hope for. "If the homes in that area are wiped but, there is no reason to come back and look at the rest of the island. There won’t be anything left," he warned. The dunes serve to mitigate against wave action. “This is the best case of dune development we’ve seen," Dr. Farrel said. The high dunes are a result of snow fences — which help foster natural dune development — adequate dune fertilization, and strictly enforced laws which help preserve the natural growth process. THE THREE JETTIES and seawall at the northern end of the island, V7th Street) have also been successful in tripping sand

The Week's Top Stories

and stopping beach erosion. Dr. Farrel noted. Aerial photographs show that some 200 yards of beach have been added since their construction. This means that in some areas the beach has tripled in size. But jetties and seawall can give a false sense of security s "A 300 ft. long wave with a breaking time of 8 seconds can hurl a 2 ton rock 50 ft.," the geologist pointed out Houses near the jetty are only 50 ft. away; a safe distance would be 250 ft., according to Dr. Farrel. The extra sand at the northern end of the island has to come from somewhere, and Dr. Farrel’s research indicates sand has eroded from the beaches between 20th rfnd

30th sts.

"THE HIGHEST RISK area in Avalon is the 28th st. region. The combination of nar row beaches, the lack of any dunes and the roads that are open-ended near the beach make for a very dangerous situation." he emphasized "The parking lot next to the arcade is a good example ’’ The ebb tidal channel -_the route water (Page 26 Please) — n o t i c E — Effective immediately, the deadline for placing classified advertisements will be 3 p.m. Friday for the following Wednesday's publication. To place class ads. call 967-3312.

Caustic Environs OCEAN CITY — Test racks designed to determine the effects of a corrosive marine environment on materials such as paint and plastic won't be locted along the 9th St. Causeway. As a result of much pdblic opposition, the Ocean City Research CoYp decided Ibst week to withdraw its application to place the racks on a one-third acre tract across from the city information center Instead tfte corporation will seek another site, probably somewhere outside of Ocean City. Judge Halts Condo SEA ISLE CITY - A temporary restraining order issued last week by Superior Court Judge James A. O’Neill has for the time being halted construction of a planned 24-unit condominium at Minmar's Marine Basfa. Neighbors are opposing a'February Planning Board decision that granted a use variance for the construction of the condo at 44th St. They feel the proposed units would be too many for the area ami its sewer system; as well as holding that the variance should he granted by the Zoning Boat’d rather than the Planning Board. » In addition to halting construction of the condo the judges ruling states that the building inspector shouldn’t issue building permits for the project and that the City Commission shouldn't hold a hearing on the matter. Back to Full Pay W(K)DBINE'~ An ordjnance restoring the salary of borough council members to $1,200 and the mayor salary to $2,000 was introduced last week after local officials served for a year at half the amount Salary cuts were made last year to br ing the budget within the state's man .dated.5 per'cent.cap. All of the elected officials accepted tfie chAnge except for^ former Mayor Thomas Levin He con- ) tinued to receive his full $2,000 salary until the governing body discovered last July they could cut his salary without his consenlf. The Salary ordinance scheduled for adoption August 4 provides for elected officials to be paid in installments for each regular council meeting. There are ho provisions for payments for special or additional meetings and unless an official is ill, he receives' no pay when meetings are missed No Way on Sewers WILDWOOD - Heavy rains and holi day crowds to match proved too much for at least a certain section of the city's • sanitary sewer system On the 4th of July weekend, sewers in the Rio Grande and Susquehanna Aves area were either backed up or stopped

up.

It appears the city has neither the money nor the manpowe) to correct the

situation (see story iasIBe)

LITTLE MISS AVALON Susan Waters. 12, is crowned by Mayor Ellsworth Armacost She is the daughter of Jim and Susan Waters of 14th St. and Succassuna, N J A total of 18 girls competed The queen's court includes Metan Daly, Charon Honer. Astra Coyle and Bobbie Sikora. The 1981 Little .Miss will represent the resort in baby parades and other traditional events throughout the county