2*5 Herald & Lantern 31 October '84 • - - . .

GIFT TO SCOUTS — Wild wood Patrolman William Mitchell presents check from Police Benevolent Association 59 to resort Girl Scout Troop 645 for equipment. Receiving contribution are Christina Abel. Anna Leeper and Michelle Potts, all of Wildwood.

Sewerage Presentment — — . . /...U Ika failnro nf tkc Vfinlltoc In fault her for of to |

(From Page 22) that, the Committee must be kept informed. The Grand Jury recommends that the Sewerage Commission establish a procedure designed to keep the Tbwnship Committee informed of the status and developments of the Sewerage District. In addition, the Tbwnship Committee is, and must continue to be, the liaison between the County Municipal Utilities Authority and • the Tbwnship Sewerage District. Those two agencies must cooperate with each other and work together to provide the public with sewerage service now and in the future. The Grand Jury is disturbed that Mayor Michael Voll approved a minor sewer extension without being informed about the details of the extension or about the status of the Sewerage District On September 28, 1983 Mayor Michael Voll signed a letter addressed to the Sewerage Commission stating that he has no objection to the construction of the minor sewer extension in the Romney East development However, Mayor Michael Voll stated he had no information as to what the extension involved or what it was related to. He merely signed a letter put in front of him by a subordinate. Michael Vistenzo. However, when Michael Vistenzo asked for Mayor Voll's signature, he was not acting as a subordinate; ie., the Construction Official, but rather as a separate, independent agent, i.e. a Sewerage Commissioner. There was no discussion with Alvin Herman, the Tbwnship Engineer and the Sewerage District Engineer, regarding the nature of the proposed project. Mayor Michael Voll did not know why his approval was even necessary. The Department of Environmental Protection requires the approval of the municipality to extend sewer lines in order to provide for some sense of checks and balances. Uninformed approval defeats the reasoning and logic that has been built into the system in an attempt to protect the public from such an indiscretion as was committed by the Sewerage Commission. The Grand Jury also criticizes John L. Ludlam for his role as the Solicitor for the Sewerage District Helen Westcott devoted sutetantial time and effort at being an effpffve Clerk and Secretary. It is unfair to

reflect reference to the Open Public Meetings Act. The average public citizen who attempts to perform a public service, as the Sewerage Commissioners attempted to do here, are not expected to know or understand the intricacies of the legal responsibilities of such bodies. That is the function and duty of the Solicitor. The conducting of meetings without ascertaining whether the Open Public. Meetings notice was provided or dtarif^frg the Minutes as I to why a special meeting was called causes unnecessary public distrust of such bodies. The Grand Jury recommends that the Sewerage District show a good faith attempt to comply with the law and conduct a prompt election. The law foresees a need for five Commissioners, yet the Sewerage District No 1 of the Tbwnship of Middle continues to operate with only three And those three have not stood for election since 1965. V CONCLUSION * The Grand Jury considered a substantial amount of evidence relating to the Sewerage District. Only information relevant to issues of public concern have been set forth by the Grand Jury in this Presentment. The Grand Jury urges the Sewerage Commission and the Tbwnship Committee to take immediate steps to review and implement the recommendations contained in this Presentment. In acting upon these recommendations, they will create a more effective relationship between the two agencies and will significantly alter the procedures of the Sewerage District in conducting its business. Both changes will make the Sewerage Commission more responsive to the general public and more responsible to the residents of Cape May Court House. While the Grand Jury heard many witnesses, it does not presume to offer full and complete solutions to the problems. Nor does it pretend to set up totally revised organizations and procedures The proposals are made to focus scrutiny on certain problems and urge that the necessary steps be instituted concerning them. The review, observations and recommendations set forth herein are designed to direct attention of our citizens to the problems. The Grand Jury also urges all citizens of Cape May County to review the findings and recommendations. Sewerage projects directly affect our environment and our economy. It is, therefore, crucial that an '-nlightened public take a more active role The Gerk of the Grand Jury is hereby instructed to forward copies of this Presentment to the following: .The Governor of the State of New Jersey The Attorney General of the State of NewJersey The Sewerage District No 1 of Tbwnship of Middle The Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority The New Jersey- Department of Environmental Protection All County Prosecutors Representatives erf the News Media Fbr the Grand Jury March 1984 Stated Session Panel SI July 1983 Tbrm A

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THE Shoe Inn ALL SHOES $1388 (All Sizes — Wide Widths) • SNEAKERS A^Plpc, pony KORDACHE A^D UP Open Daily 10 To 8 Sunday ^8 1703 Bayshore Road, Villas (2 Blocks South of Intersection Between Mildred's & Skill Realty.) DEAR FELLOW CITIZENS As members of the Cape May County Police Chiefs' 'Association, we would like to make Hie following statement of support for the men and women serving on our local law enforcement agencies In Cape May. In November there-will be a question on your voting ballot regarding the police pension change In our communities. This change from the present system, namely PERS (Public Employees' Retirement System) to the Police and Firemen's ftetiry ent S^U^ti jgyn^e^ Jmportance^to^a 11 , The chajig* will in Be pension

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