Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 5 March '66 • 45

County Plans Cold Storage Plant for Fish

(Prom page 1) negotiations with Everlon. the county's application for federal and state funds commented, "Discussions are underway concerning acquisition or long-term lease of the building" and, it added, "...commitments have been and are being secured from prospective users." Everlon was not identified by name in the application, but it was in a discussion , by Economic Development Commission members last week. THE PROJECT depends on a $600,000 federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant and a $250,000 state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) grant. • The county last week received a firstpriority ranking for the project from the four-county South Jersey Economic Development District. Sachs had predicted that approval, an important first step toward getting the funds, because the county "hasn't sent a proposal to the district in two or three years." The money is requested from fiscal 1987 funds which means it would not be available until next fall. Sachs said the plant could be in operation six months , later, or "maybe by the summer of 1987." THE COUNTY'S application said the plant would employ 40 persons and create another 180 fishing industry jobs. In response to a question from this newspaper, he said it would be operated "either by a local group or the county." Sachs said there have been meetings with the fishing industry for two years with "all agreeing cold storage is very important. We have letters of need from two large users that indicate that fishing will support the operating costs in the fist year." They were not "letters of commitment," he siad. The County's application said that "by providing this service through a public unit of government, pro-forma financial analysis indicates that it will be a self-

sustaining investment that will, at minimum, almost double the port's tonnage landed in the first year of operation. As a consequence the fishing industry of Southern New Jersey will have a firm basis for solid, future growth." THE PROJECT would principally serve reefer vessels, freezer trawlers, and shore-side processors, according to the application, and primarily benefit the fishing industry at Cape May Harbor. Sachs specifically named Sea Harvest Inc., Lund's Seafood Axelsson & Johnson. Cold Spring Fish, and SncAv Food Products The application also said there would be 38 construction jobs for one year at an average salarv of $22,000 for a total of $850,000. Sachs said the fishing indastry currently trucks fish to Vineland for cold storage, but "gets second or third priority" to local farm products. Sachs said the fishing industry also needs more public dockage, a problem "we'll probably try to address a year from now." HE SAID THE INDUSTRY has identified other problems such as a need for channel dredging, which is a state and federal responsibility, and relief from high insurance rates. Sachs revealed the project last Wednesday during a presentation to three of the commission's seven members. Lacking a quorum < it has one vacancy and two members were absent), no official meeting was held. Because of the quorum problem, the commission decided to skip its March meeting and gather again the third Wednesday in April. Sachs called his presentation "A Modest Proposal for Economic Development in Cape May County." which brought smiles since it appeared anything but modest. IN ADDITION TO the new cold storage plant, and other fishing proposals for what he called the "primary sector," he said the county could "provide feasibility studies for projects important on a countrywide

For Some, 1990-95 Is Nou>

(From page 1) plants — Upper, Dennis and Woodbine - they are under stale-imposed bans on large commercial growth for the same reason:, sewage problems. This scenario for the barrier islands and Lower and Middle townships — whether one sees it as a threat or a blessing — emerges from a two-pronged "warning" letter to them from the county MUA and Planning Department. The letter would have gone out by now. but the Planning Board last month withheld approval until its section could be toughened up. "FOR ONCE I agree with the MUA," commented Frederick A. Long Jr. of Cold Spring. "Nobody takes any of this seriously until there's a moratorium. They have to get serious about this." "North Wildwood has just put out notices to residents to cap their (sewer) vents," commented supervising senior planner Edward R. Filipski "It's incredible," said Long. "I feel you have to hit 'em with a two-by-four so there's no question they understand," said board chairman John N. MacLeod. THE CAPE MAY and Ocean City plants were designed for a 1990 capacity. The Seven Mile Beach/Middle and Wildwood/Lower regional plants are being built for 1995 capacities. All were designed to be easily increased to a higher "ultimate" capacity, supposedly for the year 2020 One of the problems is that the plants must be able to handle peak flows — when the tourists are here. The difference is considerable.

Ocean City, for example, in fall and winter months uses about 41 percent of its i plant capacity. But in July and August that ? climbs to 95 percent. That plant cost $17.3 million. 1 Cape May last year was using 33 percent r of its capacity in March and April and 77 percent in August. That plant cost $10.5 million. ] THE SEVEN MILE Beach/Middle plant should be completed next year at a cost of $25.6 million. It will serve Sea Isle City. , Avalon. Stone Harbor, and the Court » House. Avalon Manor and Stone Harbor Manor sections of Middle Township. Sea Isle City has a 1995 MUA plant ] capacity of 1.9 million gallons per day and a 2020 capacity of 2.39 million gallons per » day. But in its own plant during the peak month of August. 1984, it had a flow of 2.75 j million gallons per day. 144 percent of the | 1995 capacity. Asked about this situation. MUA special I projects administrator Don Hutchinson 'I said the city was "in the process of I eliminating its infiltration and inflow" ^ from surface water Avalon's peak flow at its own plant is ■ already at 85 percent of its MUA 1995 I capacity. Stone Harbor's is at 53 percent MIDDLE TOWNSHIP S situation is less clear. Its only sewage treatment plant in ^ Court House is at capacity, but it will have a larger capacity in the MUA plant. Nor- i mal expansion in Court House plus adding t Avalon and Stone Harbor manors could I use up that MUA plant capacity The Wildwood/Lower plant will serve the Wildwoods and the Rio Grande section of Middle Township. It should open in 1988 at a cost of $42.6 million. Wildwood Crest's flow at its own plant is already 90 percent of its 1995 capacity in the MUA plant. Wildwood-West Wildwood is at 56 percent. The eventual Rio Grande flow is unknown. THERE HAS BEEN no decision on whether the effluent from the Lower Township MUA plant, which also is supposed to serve Middle township's Del Haven area, will use the same ocean outfall line as the Wildwood/Lower plant If Middle Township's sewage lines are not ready by the time the regional MUA plants are — and that seems a possibility — its problem may be to maintain its share of the capacity in the face of increasing demands from the barrier islands.

basis, especially the Wildwood Convention Hall." For that, the county is requesting a $40,000 EDA grant to create a revolving fund for feasibility studies. Of the convention center, he said, "Business has been slipping away for the last 10 or 15 years. There are only a few major conventions left. They have to upgrade it or there won't be any. "The county can get the project started, accumulate information, market research, financial planning, how to make it a reality. Then the local people can look at it and decide whether they want to di it or not." OTHER PROJECTS Sachs suggested: •"Manufacturing products for the leisure (tourist) industry, our largest industrial base." These artisan products could be highlighted in an annual arts and crafts exhibit from which the county could select "those most in demand" and "try to provide manufacturing facilities." •Reprocessing recycable materials into other products. •Using energy, presumably from a trash-burning plant, for "an energyintensive manufacturing industry, such as aquaculture." •DEVELOPMENT OF Schellenger's Landing in Lower Township where "ownership is so fragmanted and lan-

downers so busy thafc^pn't get to develop a plan." •A feasibility srody to deal with "the general transportation problem in the lower end of the county, particulary Cape May where parking is becoming increasingly difficult'7" • A centrally-located historical-cultural center-or museum, especially because the one in Ocean City reportedly is moving. "There is no unified place and there ought to be. We have a rich history and we ought to make it an attraction. "Sachs said. NONE OF HIS PLANS. Sachs said, "will violate the fragile environment we have " It sounds like we're off and ready to do something." commented Dorothy Mack, veteran commisssion member Other members present were John Q Hefti and Joseph Haggerty. Absent were Richard Pfaltzgraff and Michael Beiansen. The freeholders have yet to fill the vacancy of Robert Laws, whose term ended Dec 31. 9

HELP IS HANDY FOR EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS — OUT OF WORK We Can Bring You Together Through An~\ "On The Job" Training Program, A Joint Training Partnership Endeavor. If you are an Employer and can use a 50% Wage Reimbursement to hire New Employees — Call us today. PHONE: 886-8330 If you are looking for work let us help you find a way — Call Today and see if you Qualify. Phone 886-9598 Don't Wait • Call While Money Is Available. CAPE MAY COUNTY OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING.

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