New Ntirsing Home Proposed

By JOE ZELN1K CREST HAVEN — A feasibility study has recommended Cape May County construct a new, 180 bed, long-term health care facility for the elderly near the present nursing home at an estimated cost of $6.8 million. The study, prepared by Wildwood architect James A. MacDonald, proposes the existing structure.be renovated to provide office space for the majority of county departments.

Snow? S’no My Job, Man CREST HAVEN - The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce will ask the state to clarify recent judicial decisions making commercial property owners liable if pedestrians are hurt on improperly maintained sidewalks. The state Supreme Court earlier this month said the owners must at least try to remove snow and ice from sidewalks along their property. No effort is generally made to remove snow on sidewalks alongside hundreds of closed businesses in shore communities off-season. These closed seasonal businesses were the main concern of the chamber's board of directorMpeeting at the county Vo-Tech Career Center. But Dane Wells, owner of the Queen Victoria Inn in Cape May. defended the ruling and said absent owners, as least on major streets, should contract to have snow removed. A director commented that one of the judges responsible for the new rulings. Sidney Schreiber, "has been in Wildwood.” “In the winter?" asked another director.

Freeholders will discuss the proposals at a caucus meeting on April 7, according to Freeholder Gerald M. Thornton, director of health and human services for the county. "We have to consider expanding," said Thornton, “and we have to provide addiiional services." He said the county had a 37 percent population growth between 1970 and 1980, “the majority of them elderly.” THE COUNTY will explain its plans for the Cape May County Savings and Loan

building on Main Street in Cape May Court HousealHie same meeting. The freahblders last month authorized a $832,000 bond issue to buy the building for $540,000, a price that evoked some controversy. The building is being bought to relieve overcrowding in the adjacent county courthouse building. Crest Haven has 140 beds and is filled. It% employs 172 full-time staff members during any given 24-hour period. MacDonald’s

WHO’S COLD — Paul Carmel of Sea Isle City gets ar. early start on his suntan while taking a break from shoveling out his car. It happened Feb. 12 and was recorded for posterity by Carmel’s friend, Jeri Headier, city hall clerk in Sea Isle City and swears that’s ginger ale in his glass. Ms. Headier says if anyone thinks this is crazy, "you ought to see his summer stunts."

Harry Kehr Has a Lost Who’ll Pay for Fumes Snafu?

By BOB SHILES COURT HOUSE - Who will pay the sizable costs being incurred by Cape May County because fumes from a weather sealant applied to its courthouse exterior sickened employes? Almost two months after the episode, dozens of employes continue to work in ' other quarters and a list of extraordinary costs grows. Freeholders and other county officials have been reluctant to get specific about the costs because of the expectation they’ll end up in court over the matter.

COLD SPRING — Got an old outhouse you don’t need? Cold Spring Village, restored 18th and 19th century farm community on Seashore Road, is seeking any type of farm outbuilding — sheds, com cribs, bams — and farm tools and machinery in preparation for its Memorial Day weekend opening. Persons with items to donate are asked to call the village at 884-18fy. The village, which previously had free admission, will sell season passes this year: $1 for adults, 50 cents for children 6 to 12 years old. The working farm has 15 buildings on its

But Freeholder Ralph W Evans has been quoted as calling the extra costs "astronomical." And Freeholder William E. Sturm Jr. says it will be “costly" and may be years before the total amount can be determined FREEHOLDER JAMES KILPATRICK, who had said there would be "no cost to the county" for lost work time because of Workmen’s Compensation, later acknowledged there is a “realistic possibility" the county’s insurance premiums for that pVogram would increase next year because of the number of

35 acres. Only one, the Grange Hall for Cold Spring Grange No. 132 built in 1897, stands on its original site' It serves as a restaurant with buffet luncheons during the four-month season through September. The other 14 were moved to the village, all from southern New Jersey, all but one from Cape May County. The village includes two train stations, a school house, a blacksmith shop, a general store, a fisherman's home, a playhouse, a tavern, a farmhouse. a cobbler's shop and an old home. The Cape May Point jail house, is the latest donated building to be moved to and (Page 14 Please)

claims filed. Workmen’s Compensation rates vary according to job classification and a company’s “experience’' in workrelated injuries and absenteeism. Kathryn A. Willis, clerk of the board of freeholders, said more' than 70 persons have filed Workmen's Compensation claims. Many of them were not sickened, she said, but wanted to go on record as having worked in the courthouse at the time of the problem in the event of future illness. Sources said the liability insurance of the contractor who applied the sealant might cover any increased workmen's compensation cost to the county. The county’s $13,000 contract with Architectural Caulking and Waterproofing Co. of Cherry Hill included a provision pro tecting the county from any harm caused bv the project. THE FIRM APPLIED exterior weather sealant containing the chemical resin metharylate at the front and sides of the courthouse. When employes began to complain of skip, eye and throat irritations, respiratory difficulties, headaches, nausea, dizziness, etc., they were evacuated to other work areas Many required medical attention and some still are under a doctor’s care. Buildings and Grounds Supt Harry E. Kehr has been assigned the task of compil (Page 14 Please)

Got a Spare Old Building?

study concluded that the facility is inadequate in may ways for both patients and staff. Although MacDonald commended the maintenance staff for its work, his 162-page report is jatnmed with violations of various state and federal codes meant to assure health and safety standards. THEY RUN THE GAMUT from inadequate sterilizing facilities to concrete ramps with excessive slope, and no railings to the main trash dumpster which is "inadequate in capacity and open to the ' elements." The two most crucial deficiencies are believed to be th(^building's roof and boiler system. The county's 1983 budget includes a $140,000 appropriation for a new roof and $13,245 for heating repairs. Ihc roof "leaks like a sieve,"according tffwilliam E. Strum Jr. And the feasibility study says the heating system "does not provide the level of comfort necessary for this type of facility; no real control over temperatures...’’ MacDONALD'S LIST OF deficiencies in eluded inadequate toilet facilities, insufficient per-patient floor space, an inadc quate nurses’ calling system, no visual privacy in 13 of the 33-two bed rooms. The facility has no area or equipment for physical or occupational therapy. Patients use the adjacent county Health Department. connected to the nursing home by a corridor. Dietary facilities deficiencies include an inadequate solid waste container, irikuffi cient cold storage space, lack of a serving line with staff members served directly from the kitchen, and sanitizing facilities that do not comply with code requirements Most of the food preparation equipment, should be replaced, said MacDonald, which would, in the long run. save dollars (Page 14 Please) News—^ DigeSt Topfstorips Couple of Jewels CAPE MAY — Police are looking for two white males who broke into The Jewel Box Emporium on the Washington > St. Mall at 2:57 a m Monday According to Police Sgt. Robert Boyd, the burglars made off with $4.000-$5.000 worth of jewelry.

Beer and Wine? CREST HAVEN - The Cope May County Chamber of Commerce is being swamped with replies from members responding to a poll on the issue of beer and wine permitsjorpen licensed restaurants. ExccuHve Director Robert C. Patterson Jr said he’s already received 155 ballots, double the number in li typical board of directors election And m%mbers have two more weeks to volt

Make Mine Milk

COURT HOUSE - Cape May County health officials will begin sampling well water in March in a six-month monitor ing project to check for pesticide,contamination. The program results partially from a number of birth defects and miscarriages reported in'the county in 1979

On Second Thought ...

AVALON — Borough Council reversed an earlier decision and will raise weekly beach tag fees from $2 to $3 That will br Ing in another $30,000 in revenue, and also matches the fee increase in adjacent Stone Harbor, so bathers with either .town's tags can use both beaches.

Taxes Up

' MIDDLE TOWNSHIP - The 1983 $4. f-million budget is up $200,000 over last year and carries a 3,5-cenLs tax increase New rate will be 22.5 cents per hundred dollars of assessed valuation (Pa^e 14 Please)