The City of Brigantine Beach

                 MAYOR OUTLINES CITY’S PROGRESS IN STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
                        Says prudent fiscal policies helping Brigantine in recessionary period

  Mayor Philip J. Guenther said in his annual State of the City Address that the city is working to ensure that any new structure on the site of the former Circle Tavern will be esthetically pleasing and in line with existing Brigantine architecture.

  Guenther also said that the city will ensure that its treasured institutions -- the Circle Lighthouse, Marine Mammal Stranding Center and Historical Museum -- are not impacted in any way by a new building on the tavern site.

  Due to the work of City Council’s Mixed Use Committee interest in the site from developers is increasing, he added..

  “Preliminary plans have been announced by the owners of the property for a large commercial enterprise,” the mayor said in his State of   the City Address on February 3. “I credit the interest in this location to City Council’s Mixed Use Committee that has spent months evaluating the zoning options for the site as well as the former diner and bank building.”

  “The comprehensive report developed by this committee focused much-needed attention on this area and undoubtedly sparked the interest of potential investors,” he said. “The Mixed Use Committee is also concerned with making the circle intersection safer for both pedestrians and motorists.”

  Regarding the economic downturn, the mayor said the recession has had an adverse affect in every community in New Jersey, including Brigantine. But, he said, because of prudent fiscal policies the city has been able to weather the recession better than many other communities.

  “We found our community facing the same fiscal problems that placed some of our fellow communities on the edge of economic disaster,” he said. “But I’m pleased to report that at the present time we are weathering the economic storm without having to resort to layoffs of city workers, cutbacks in resident services or onerous tax increases.”

  “The main reason is that our City Council has consistently taken a conservative approach to the budgeting process,” he continued. “This approach includes closely monitoring how each and every dollar of our residents is being allocated.”

  ‘Fiscal responsibility and controlling property taxes have always been priorities of our city administration,” Guenther said. “We have been diligent in exploring new ways to protect taxpayers’ dollars while providing the necessary resources to maintain a viable and successful community.”

  Staff levels have been greatly reduced through attrition without impacting safety or program efficiency or neglecting infrastructure maintenance, Guenther said. He added that in December he asked City Council to institute a hiring freeze until the city can assess the impact of lost revenue from tax appeals and imposed budget caps.

  For instance, he said, under the supervision of City Manager Jim Barber, staff levels have dropped dramatically. There are a total of 14 unfilled positions in the Police, Fire and Public Works departments.

  The mayor said the school district has also taken an aggressive approach to reduce costs at both our elementary and middle schools. Even though enrolments are stabilizing, previous falling enrollments drove decisions to reduce the number of full time licensed and certified teaching staff from 112 to 86 over the past eight years.

  Brigantine public schools have also entered into ten Shared Service Agreements ranging from custodial and grounds services with the city to joint insurance funds and technology consortiums that have resulted in considerable savings annually.

  In addition, the saving for five years alone in cooperative bidding for classroom supplies has resulted in savings of over $119,000.

  Guenther said while the city’s school board has worked hard to protect taxpayers’ dollars, it has ensured that the schools have the necessary resources to ensure the overall mission of our excellent schools is not compromised in any way.

  The schools received several more awards in 2009, bringing the total of state and national awards they have earned to over two dozen.

  “Our schools are deserving of our praise for the excellent job they do in providing an education experience for our youngsters that is second to none in the entire state,” he said.

  The mayor said the city owes a debut of gratitude to school superintendent Dr. Robert Previti and Brigantine’s competent teachers, administrative staff, parents and school board for making the schools among the very best in the state and the nation .

  Among the city’s accomplishments last year was the completion of the purchase of the St. Philip Tract and beginning the planning, design and development stage of the renovation project at the former school building, he said.

  He said CER director Jim Mogan has continued to meet with the specific groups that will be primarily using the new community center to ensure that the city has their input for planning and scheduling purposes.

  “The project is presently out to bid and we should commence construction in the spring,” Guenther said. “In addition to the recreation, educational and cultural benefits of the new community center, it will also serve as a catalyst for economic development as an agreement to employ Brigantine craftsmen to construct this new community asset has been forged with building trades labor unions.”

  The new pumps installed last year to alleviate the serious flooding problem in the Sheridan Boulevard area, he said, performed excellently in their first major test last fall. They removed accumulating flood waters from a November Nor’easter in a matter of hours. Using the previous methods, it took much longer.

  The mayor said thanks were due to Councilman Robert Solari and City Engineer Ed Stinson for their work in helping the city qualify for a $505,000 federal grant that covered most of the cost of the project. The city’s share of the project was $168,000, which was covered through a bond issue.

  Guenther also reported that as a result of the efforts of City Council’s Energy Committee the city moved closer to a plan for utilizing solar and wind energy to generate electrical power for City Hall. He said in addition to lowering Brigantine’s energy bill it will keep Brigantine in the forefront of environmental innovation.

  Also, he said, he has asked Councilman John Murray, chairman of the Mixed Use Committee, to expand the scope of the committee this year and join forces with Chamber of Commerce president Emmett Turner to become a Business and Commercial Development Committee. This group, he said, will be asked to review all city ordinances and zoning laws to ensure the Brigantine is creating a pro-business and development atmosphere.

  The city, he said, is also looking forward to working with new State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler on educational issues of importance to Brigantine. He said these include the exorbitant amount of tuition Atlantic City charges for Brigantine students attending Atlantic City High School and the lack of representation from Brigantine and other sending districts on the Atlantic City School Board.

  “Tuition for a regular education student is presently $20,342.00 and tuition for a special education student is $30,899.00,” the mayor said. “Over the past five years, tuition for regular education students has increased 65 percent and special education tuition is up 137 percent.”

  Because these issues need to be addressed legislatively, he said, Brigantine will be calling on legislative representatives to work with Commissioner Schundler to craft a bill that is fair to sending districts

  Another educational issue that concerns the city, Guenther said, is the threat of violence directed at Brigantine students attending Atlantic City High School. In one recent incident, a student from Brigantine was beaten by a group of other students. The youth suffered serious injuries that required hospital treatment.

  The mayor said the city’s school board is working with the Atlantic City School Board to ensure that an incident of this type is never repeated.

  Because last year’s Nor’easters caused extensive beach erosion on the North End of the island and other locations, the city will be asking Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo for his help in obtaining federal funds for beach replenishment projects, he said.

  He said the city worked with Congressman LoBiondo’s office and Stockton College’s Coastal Resource Center on problems related to the dredging of sand from Absecon Inlet to replenish Atlantic City beaches. These projects, he said, resulted in serious erosion of the inlet beach directly in front of homes on Ocean Drive and creating a dangerous risk of flooding during storms.

  As a result of focusing attention on this issue, the mayor said, the city has been assured that the Army Corps of Engineers will not dredge sand from the same borrow zone in the future.

  “Congressman LoBiondo deserves our sincerest thanks for the excellent job he has done in helping us to obtain funding to protect and improve our beaches,” Guenther said.

  During his address the mayor said city’s thanks are due to the city’s police and fire departments for the excellent job they do in keeping our city safe. He said the Public Works Department also deserved thanks for keeping city property and beaches well maintained.

  The mayor said Police Chief Jim Frugoli, Fire Chief John Frugoli and Public Works Superintendent Ernie Purdy deserve praise for their excellent leadership of these vital departments.

  Thanks also are due, Guenther said, to Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Jim Bennett for effectively coordinating essential services during numerous Nor’easters last year.

  He said the city’s lifeguards executed 120 rescues last year, provided first aid to 447 persons and helped reunited 75 children with their parents. In addition, lifeguards using special chairs donated by the Brigantine Elks helped 61 persons with disabilities to and from the beach. “Chief Joe Guenther deserves our thanks for ensuring our beach personnel are exposed to constant training and preparation as well as innovation and modernization of lifeguard techniques and equipment,” Guenther said.

  The mayor said also deserving of praise is City Manager Barber for the remarkable job he does as both city manager and public safety director.

  Under the excellent leadership of Director Jim Mogan, the mayor said, CER activities and programs were enjoyed by several thousand residents and visitors during 2009. He said thanks were due to Director Mogan for his exceptional work in creating and organizing an interesting schedule of educational and recreational programs.

  Guenther also offered his thanks to the citizen volunteers who invest their talent, time and energy without personal gain to serve on boards, commissions and clubs, run sports and recreational programs and lend a hand with activities for those with disabilities, seniors and others.

  He said the True Spirit Coalition helped make the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays memorable by collecting food and gift items from business and individuals and delivering them to the neediest of families.

  Under the direction of Tom Shanley, the mayor said, drivers on the senior shuttle bus donated over 750 hours of their time and drove over 6000 miles transporting citizens to doctors’ appointments and other personal errands in 2009. Meals on Wheels volunteers drove their own cars and delivered over 1000 meals to make sure home-bound residents had adequate nutrition.

  The Meals on Wheels volunteers, senior shuttle bus drivers and dispatchers donated a combined total of 2,500 hours of their time to make sure the programs were successful, he said.

  “This year marks the 15th that Tom and many of his volunteers have donated their time in service to our citizens,” Guenther said. “I congratulate you, Tom, and the volunteers who work with you for enriching the lives of your fellow citizens.”

  On behalf of the city, the mayor also extended thanks to the brave men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces of the United States. He said among the distinguished service personnel are Marine Corps Corporal Jeffrey Quigley, Army Specialist Kaili Barrett, Air Force Airman 2nd Class Tommy Belle, Marine Major Kyle G. Phillips and his brother, Navy Lt. Commander Jason T. Phillips, and Navy veteran Dr. Pete Snider, a Navy radiologist.

  “We owe all of our residents who serve in the military our sincerest appreciation for their service to our country, their sense of duty and their courage,” Guenther said. “We thank them for their service and pray for their safe return to our community.”

  Working with City Engineer Ed Stinson and Public Works Superintendent Purdy, City Council approved capital improvements totaling over $3.8 million in 2009, the mayor said.

  These included a $380,000 contract for resurfacing of Caverly Drive, Hackney Place and the beach block of 3d Street North. Also included were contracts totaling $371,000 for drainage improvement to 14th Street South, 26th and 27th streets, Jenkins Parkway and Marsden Place.

  Poor weather and the poor economy were responsible for a reduction in the number of rounds of golf played last year, but the Links continued to be one f the most popular courses in South Jersey, the mayor said. Revenues were $1.6 million, but there was a loss of $55,000. Guenther said the loss will have no bearing on the city’s budget because the difference will come from the Golf Course Utility Fund surplus which totals $971,488.00.

  “No taxpayer money will be used to offset this loss,” the said. “By saving profits in good years, the Brigantine Links will remain financially solvent even in difficult times and will be completely debt free in eight years.

  Guenther said the members of City Council deserve thanks for their hard work in helping the city progress in 2009.

  He said in addition to the economic downturn,. the city faces serious challenges in the coming year.

  “Given the dynamics of the economy, it’s imperative that we stay on the same austere course that has helped us weather the worst effects of the recession,” Guenther said. “We must continue to take a conservative approach to the budgeting process, find ways to do things better and smarter, and ensure that we maintain our high quality of life.”

  Guenther said he was confident that Governor Chris Christie will find ways to address the unprecedented $10 billion hole in the state budget, but he said the local impact of the state’s actions to secure the state may mean Brigantine will face additional financial challenges.

  The city is hopeful, the mayor said, that Governor Christie’s reform agenda will include dismantling the Council on Affordable Housing and the many regulations that have cost Brigantine taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal and consulting fees as the city attempted to come into compliance with their constantly changing and irrational requirements.

  “We are also hopeful that the governor will reign in the illogical DEP water resource regulations which are stifling new development and additional tax ratables in our community,” he said. “No doubt, the challenges are big and daunting. But I’m confident that we have the resourcefulness to meet them and come out stronger and better than before.”

  “I’m confident because of the solid core values of our community,” he added. “These ideals inspire us to respect and help each other, motivate us to achieve lofty goals, and ensure that Brigantine remains ‘an island you’ll love for life.’”


             BRIGANTINE HOMEOWNERS QUALIFY FOR LOWER FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS

  As a result of Brigantine’s flood mitigation efforts, homeowners will be entitled to a further discount on their flood insurance premiums this year.

  Mayor Philip J. Guenther said this year the city qualified for a rating level under the FEMA/National Flood Insurance Program that entitles homeowners to a five percent discount on their insurance premiums. He said as a result of this year’s new rating, the city now has a flood rating level that entitles homeowners to flood insurance premiums that are 20 percent lower than those of communities at the highest rating level.

  “Significantly, we are the only community in Atlantic County to qualify for this excellent rating,” the mayor said. He added that thanks were due to the city community rating coordinator, Tim Maguire, the Brigantine Flood Committee and Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Jim Bennett for helping the city achieve this accomplishment.