22 Herald/Lantern/Dispatch 17 April '85 . % %

'Toughest' Fire Code Looms—

(Continued) snuff,'' Miller predicted, "they're going to be brought up to snuff." Elevator shafts will have to be protected from fire "almost everywhere," he co*« tinued, while stairwells will have to be separated from corridors, rooms etc., with fire barriers. He said regulations approved by the commission today will be published May 20 in the state Register. A period of public comment and hearings will follow, then any amendments will be made. "And we expect that the retrofit will be adopted as law around Aug. 18," Miller said. Then his bureau will start compiling a registry of buildings in each municipality that are considered subject to the fire code regulations. Inspected by state or local officials, the structures will be rated according to their potential fire hazard and given a year to comply with the code High-h^ard buildings like nightclubs will be inspected quarterly, others annually. BUILDINGS THAT PRE-EXIST codes are generally exempt for requirements enacted after their construction, unless the structures change owners or improvements are made to them. That's not -the case with the new fire co<Je, however. Even historic homes, if they serve the public like Cape May guest houses, will be required to install safety equipment. "Usually, the code tries to deal with that on a one-to-one -basis," observed Harry Clayton, construction, building and fire sub-code official for Avalon., "Historic or not, I think you're going to find the code • comes first." He teaches Fire Science at Atlantic County College. Holding a degree in that field and several state licenses in fire inspection, Clayton favors the new code and expects to qualify as one of its inspectors. Most fire regulations, where they've been adopted, take about two years to cor-

rect detected fire hazards. The new fire code will not only solve that problem retroactively but also establish uniform standards throughout the state, Clayton said. It -will ajso promote "fire analysis" — determining how a fire spread, how people were killed or injured — besides finding out why the fire started, he added "That's the newest thing in fire investigation." Only a handful of area firefighters have Clayton's inspection background- or state licenses. "That's going to be a problem," conceded Lower Township construction official O.E. Fowler Jr. "In this area, there's probably not too many that would have the credentials." - . THOSE WHO SERVED as fire inspectors for a year before the fire code became law would qualify as inspectors for the new code, though, along with fire prevention supervisors or officials certified through other BOCA (building) code courses, plus those who have completed a bureau-ap-proved course or hold valid high-hazard or related fire inspection licenses. In two or three weeks. Miller said, his bureau will be sending out "applications to anyone we can identify as possibly being interested" in the inspector jobs. They will be appointed by either community' fire officials, municipal leaders, county governments or the state, depending upon which accepts responsibility for enforcing the code. Community fire officials have until June 18 to decide if they'll take on the chore and how. The "how" of it isn't as tough a question in Avalon, with one fire company, as it is in Lower Township with three. If the fire officials accept enforcement, they hire the fire inspector and must name an attorney too. Fire officials could arrange to share an inspector and the lawyer with another community. So could local municipalities if community fire officials decide to abdicate enforcement of the new code. Whichever entity accepts the responsibility gets 80 percent of inspection fees in its jurisdiction; the remainder goes to the state. MUNICIPALITIES HAVE UNTIL Aug. 18 to decide if they'll assume code enforcement, given up by community fire officials, by adopting the code. If a municipality decides not to tackle enforcement, the county could elect to do so or simply allow the state to take on the task. Will the new code mean lower fire insurance premiums for New Jersey businesses and institutions? "Eventually it would have the possibility." replied Lower Township Mayor Robert Fothergill, an insurance agent. "But I wouldn't want to go on the hook and said that it would/' Insurance cotnpany actuaries would analyze how the code reduced fires over a number of years before considering any premium changes, he predicted The code was approved by state legislators in February, after hearings when it was criticized as too costly to some businesses. It evolved after the 17-member comntfssion was formed in the wake of two fatal bearding house fires upstate in 1980 and 1981 Other provisions have since been added. the latest following the'fire last May that claimed eight teenagers trapped in the haunted house at Six Flags' Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson Township. "Just the annual registration fee will cost the (state food) industry $360,000." former Assemblywoman Barbara McConnell, president of the New Jersey Food Council, complained during the code hearings. Listed in the same fire hazard category with explosive manufacturers, supermarkets will each be billed $400 a year for inspections, she griped "THIS WILL COST THE industry twice." Anthony Amabile said for a statewide coalition of auto repairmen. "We already pay for fire inspections and * now you're saying we have to pay another fee. We simply can't afford it." "People shouldn't be afraid of this code," Clayton maintained. "Basically they should support it. Referring to New Jersey, he added, "We've been number one in life loss and we have a chance to correct it." "It's not Big Brother coming in and telling us what to do," Clayton stressed. "There are life hazards like Great Adventure and we don't want them to take place. Information is available on the new code from the state Bureau of Fire Safety by calling 984-6000.

Stone Harbor (Continued) in the works, but no one is talking about H.A. Winston's anymore. Privately, principals say the restaurant won't make i.t this season, no matter who it is. Katzoff, an attorney, hosted a cocktail party at the Whitebrier Inn in Avalon last Saturday to explain changes and solicit tenants. AMONG CHANGES, DiMarco and Hendee Real Estate no longer will havethe exclusive rental rights, according to Mrs Blumenstein Katzoff said he has four stores rented: J.J.'s Pizza, James Salt Water Taffy, Harbor Square Food Court, and Hillary's Ice ' 4 Cream. « He said he was seeking "retail stores reflecting the high standards and sophisticated needs of the Stone Harbor community." Completion of the mall, which runs betWeen 96th ancj 97th streets, had been expected by March 31. The new target is May. Week for Water ? (Continued) sation Fund. Source of the contamination still hasn't been determined by the county Health Department or state Department of Environmental Protection. Phase two of the public water project will extend service to the east side of the parkway ' j Bprroiv, Invest ' (Continued) > j wood. Wildwood Crest. North Cape May, Cape May Court House, Ocean Cityr-SWne ( Harbor. Cape May and Villas). / t Prior to last fall's borrowing thy county had net debt of about $29.5 millionfand was permitted by law to borrow a tqfel of $107 v million. jf "The county Bridge Commission is about i $1.1 million in debt and the Municipal Utilities Authority < MUA ) owes almost $63 million. The county is obligated to make up any deficiences in MUA revenues so it can pay its bills, including debt service. c

News Digest (Continued)

proposed ordinance that would make residency a factor in promotions. Police Lt. Kenneth Pollock ctarged the law is part of a move by Maw Jack Bittner to make police "a puppet on a string." Council President Henry Knight objected to what he called "interrogation" by police. "Who's running this town anyway, the police?" Knight asked. Fire Damages School NORTH WILDWOOD - Firefighters contained to a first-grade classroom a 12:48 a.m. fire Saturday in Margaret Mace Elementary School. A faulty switch in a record player was suspected as the cause. Because of the smoke, soot and related damage, students were off Monday and Tuesday but will return to class today. First graders will be taught at the city recreation center until their classroom is rebuilt. q Classrooms Closed MARMORA — Upper Township school board members voted 4-3 Friday to close aging temporary classrooms in the" elementary school here until the board's meeting next Tuesday and to move 164 kindergarten and second grade students to classes in the gym, cafeteria and library. Since county and state health officials said the temporary classrooms were safe, board members Nancy May, Joanne Tropeano and Eugene F. Chojnacki voted against the closing. Parents blame a fishy smell in the temporary classrooms for ailments * suffered by their youngsters. No Conflict SEA ISLE CITY - Wildwood lawyer Louis Hornstine is paid $45,000 to do legal work for Cape May County. The citypays him $3,000 a year as a public defender. City Solicitor, Michael Testa ruled last week that Hornstine is not in a position of conflict of interest. Dredge Bids STONE HARBOR — Bids on dredging Hereford Inlet are due by 11 a.m. next

Wednesday in the Trenton office of the state Division of Coastal Resources. Besides dredging a navagation channel between here and Anglesea, the successful bidder is expected to prepare pre- and post-hydrographic surveys of the inlet, according to John R. Weingart, division director. It was last dredged less than two years ago. Close Call RIO GRANDE — Atlantic City's Bomb Squad turned over to the U.S. Army a five-inch (diameter) Navy shell that local children were playing with near the Oak Grove Apartments here Saturday afternoon. Tenant Michael Richard alerted Middle Township police who stood jy until the bomb squad removed the 20- pound undetonated explosive. Tjrue , But — "WmDWOOD CREST - Leo Giuliano, " • chairman of the Tourism Development Commission here, said charges that the commission hasn't spent its 1984 budget are true. If the commission didn't hold some funds, there would be no money to spend just before the tourist season begins, Giuliano said, attributing the charges to politics. Budget Up, Tax Down SEA ISLE CITY — City Commission last week adopted a budget of $4,803,817, up 12 percent from last year. But a onecent drop in the tax rate means the t owner of a home assessed at $100,000 will pay $530, a decrease of $10. The cost of heaith care insurance and trash collection both went up last year. From Tickets To Tickers RIO GRANDE - Middle Township's parking violations officer, Diane Shivers, has new duties: handling calls for help that are directed to the Rio Grande Volunteer Rescue Squad. Shivers is qualified as a medical technician, and can drive an ambulance. Mayor Michael Voli said other police officers may be trained in emergency care techniques.

What's Legal Speed Limit?

(Continued) development and construction of playgrounds and athletic fields in the north end of town, pointed out Taylor He called 50 miles per hour "ridiculous ." To complicate things, Taylor said a 1976 state survey recommended 35 in the summer and 40 in the winter "in the south end" and 30 in the summer, 35 in the winter. "through the center of town. " There's no indication the county ever approved that, he said. Avalon Police Chief Joseph Foley has written the Freeholders to request they rescind their 1971 resolution. They considered that last week, but. asked county Engineer Neal O. Clarke to do a speed survey instead. •^CLARKE INDICATED he, too. would like to§ee a dual-speed system. He suggested 25 in t^e summer, 35 in the winter — "Twenty-five is awfully slow in the yrinter," he said. "We realize 25 is a little slow in the winter time," agreed Taylor, who suggested that, "depending on the survey," it could be 35 or 40. t Hundreds of Stone Harbor residents, who face a third winter of exiting "Seven-Mile Island" via Avalon because of 96th Street bridge construction, presumably would echo those views Their own speed limit is 25, year-round. JOHN McCARTHY. area traffic engineer ^vith the state Department of Transportation (DOT), said it will coordinate that speed survey. ; The DOT, McCarthy said, will determine the locations and the time for the survey, but, • the county will do it Then the state will put the numbers'in its computer and come up with recommendations. McCarthy said May or June would be good months, having enough tourist traffic to qualify for both summer and winter. "It would have to be done at free-flow times," he said, "not a Saturday in August." He and Clark alsa thought of a problem. Would a speed survey be valid on a street already posted for 25? THAT IS. wouldn't motorists automatical-

ly go 25 when they saw an unmarked car with a person pointing a K-15 radar gun at them9 And wouldn't that spoil the whole idea of seeing what speed motorists actually drive? "I doubt the state will buy our data if we take it while there's a 25-miles-per-hour speed limit posted," said Clarke. "We may recommend they repost the street to the speed of the previous resolution/' said McCarthy. "That decision is up to the^Speed Zone Crew (of the Bureau of Traffic Engineering ) . That could just one day, he added THE PROCEDURE is to clock 100 vehicles in each direction at several different places. McCarthy said. Then a computer gifted at percentiles and the like will determine a speed traveled by the majority and mere mortals at DOT will recommend something "reasonable and prudent," McCarthy said. McCarthy warned that a dual speed limit would involve "quite a bit of manpower." He said it takes about a day to change 18 signs, for example. "We would have the local Streets Department change the signs," said Taylor. Presumably everyone in town will have an opinion on a dual speed limit and what "each should be. Take Mary Monks, for example. She's court clerk to Judge Lamanna. "I get the arguments, not the police officers," she said. MONKS. WHO SAID there used to be a summer-winter speed limit about seven years ago. said the law requires a $60 fine for going 1-15 miles over the limit and another $10" for every five miles over that. If one fights it and loses (she doesn't remember anybody ever winning), there's an additional $15 for court costs, she said. Monks is satisfied with the present 25 miles per hour year-round. She said she hasn't seen anyone arrested for under 40 in the summer and very few under 45 in the winter. "I don't want them going any faster," she said. "It's 25 and they go 40. Raise it to 35 and they'll go 50." She lives on Ocean Drive.