Minutes of Commissioners Meeting   -   May 4, 2005

Prior to the opening of the meeting, Mr. Pantalone led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Borough of Wildwood Crest, Cape May County , New Jersey , was held in the Municipal Court Room at 9:30 a.m.  On roll call the following answered to their names:

Cabrera – Tomlin – Pantalone - Yes

Mr. Pantalone read the following statement:  In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, the notice requirements have been satisfied as to the time, place and date of holding said meeting by posting notice on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall and by mailing same to the Gazette-Leader and The Press on December 6, 2004.

Mr. Pantalone next announced the one-way in and the one-way out method of ingress and egress in case of emergency.

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IN FULL:

RESOLUTION NO. 753-05

(Authorizing commendation to Honorable P. Martin Way for more than

twenty-nine years of distinguished service as Judge of the Municipal Court)

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mr. Tomlin, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Prior to taking the vote, Mr. Pantalone stated that Judge Way “has done a tremendous job in Wildwood Crest,” and “we are losing a great guy.”

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 754-05

(Authorizing issuance of not exceeding $5,100,000 Bond Anticipation Notes of

the Borough of Wildwood Crest)

Mr. Tomlin motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 755-05

(Authorizing the re-appointment of Hawkins Delafield  Wood as Bond

Counsel for the period May 26, 2005 through May 25, 2006)

Mr. Tomlin motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 756-05

(Authorizing issuance of a Special Events Permit to Feastivities to hold a

wedding ceremony on July 30, 2005 at the Lavender Road beach)

Mr. Tomlin motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 757-05

(Authorizing the CFO to refund a sewer overpayment in the amount of

$842.82 to Marmik, LLC)

Mr. Tomlin motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 758-05

(Authorizing submission of a grant application in the amount of $4,000

for the “Click It or Ticket Campaign”)

Mr. Tomlin motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 759-05

(Authorizing a refund to Rosalie Fusco in the amount of $25

for a Fire Inspection duplicate payment)

Mr. Tomlin motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

Mr. Tomlin motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that all bills properly authorized, as submitted, and which appear in full on the following page, be paid.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

Mr. Cabrera motioned, seconded by Mr. Tomlin, that the CY2005 taxi licenses, as submitted, be approved.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

Judge P. Martin Way entered the meeting at this point. Mr. Pantalone presented to him Resolution No. 753-05 previously adopted. Mr. Pantalone congratulated Judge Way for his many years of outstanding service to the Borough. Judge Way thanked the Mayor and Commissioners for the opportunity to serve the Borough, and for their support over the years.

Mr. Pantalone announced to those present that a request had been made by the Hotel/Motel Association to discuss zoning issues in the motel district. He went on to state that this Board was not the proper venue for that discussion, since the Borough is presently undergoing a Master Plan revision and any comments regarding revision of zoning should be addressed to the Planning Board and the Planner. Mr. Pantalone added that comments would be accepted at this meeting, properly recorded and forwarded to the Planning Board and the Planner, but there would be no “question and answer session.” He further announced that the Planning Board would be conducting a special meeting on Wednesday evening, May 4, 2005 for the purpose of answering any questions from the public. He specifically indicated that on May 13, 2005 the CRDA (Casino Reinvestment Development Authority) would be conducting a public hearing in the Municipal Court Room regarding the motel zone. The CRDA will be performing a $30,000 study in the Borough of Wildwood Crest.

Steve Tecco, Armada Motel, Forget-Me-Not and Ocean Avenues, thanked Mr. Pantalone for the information regarding the Master Plan and the CRDA study.

Assemblyman Jack Gibson congratulated the Board of Commissioners for their efficient and “snappy” conduct of the meeting. He went on to add that he was present on behalf of the Legislative Delegation to honor Mr. Pantalone at his last meeting as Mayor of the Borough of Wildwood Crest. Assemblyman Gibson indicated that a Resolution honoring Mr. Pantalone for his many years of public service was “in the mail”.

Mr. Pantalone responded that he was “overwhelmed and humbled” by the outpouring of well wishes being extended to him.

Senator Nick Asselta stated that he wanted to “help celebrate” Mr. Pantalone’s dedicated years of public service. He added that over his career, Mr. Pantalone had been “a guiding light” and “a mentor” and thanked Mr. Pantalone for his capable assistance over the years.

Senator Asselta added that Wildwood Crest “is one of the most progressive municipalities and has the most articulate public officials” in his legislative district.

David Von Savage, Cape May County Republican leader, presented Mr. Pantalone with a note of congratulations from Congressman Frank Lobiondo. Mr. Von Savage also presented a Certificate of Special Recognition on behalf of Congressman Lobiondo.

Cape May County Freeholders Daniel Beyel, Leonard Desiderio and Ralph Bakley appeared to extend their congratulations to Mr. Pantalone. Freeholder Beyel thanked Mr. Pantalone for his years of service and presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board of Freeholders. Freeholder Bakley stated that Mr. Pantalone has been “an inspiration” to him to seek the position of Freeholder of Cape May County and has provided “a lot of guidance.”  Freeholder (and Mayor of Sea Isle City) Desiderio presented Mr. Pantalone with a Proclamation from the City of Sea Isle City proclaiming May 4, 2005 as “Mayor Pantalone Day in Sea Isle City.”

Former Cape May County Prosecutor John Corino thanked Mr. Pantalone for all his years of service and invited him to play golf now that he is retiring.

Executive Director George Marinakis and Board Chairman George Betz of the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, along with Board Member Patricia Callinan, presented their congratulations to Mr. Pantalone, but indicated he would continue to serve on the Board of the CMCMUA for at least the next five years, and that they were grateful for that.

Cape May County Sheriff (and former Superior Court Judge) John Callinan thanked Mr. Pantalone for his “good advice” over the years and expressed his pride in Mr. Pantalone’s many accomplishments.

Fred Coldren stated that Mr. Pantalone has “been an inspiration to all the communities” over the years, and his “reliable service to Wildwood Crest will be long remembered.”

Borough Clerk Kevin M. Yecco stated that he has enjoyed “the very strong working relationship” shared by him and Mr. Pantalone over the past twelve years. He went on to state that he has never seen Mr. Pantalone “act out of anger, or try to hurt anyone,” and “has always been fair and tried [his] level best to get the job done and get it done right.” Mr. Yecco added that, “most importantly, [he] has never demonstrated an ego. There is no ‘I’ in Pantalone.” Mr. Yecco then presented Mr. Pantalone with a proclamation on behalf of the Borough of Wildwood Crest and stated that he (Pantalone) would be greatly missed.

Mr. Tomlin presented a plaque to Mr. Pantalone on behalf of himself and Mr. Cabrera, as well as all employees of Borough Hall, as a token of their appreciation to be “a part of his team” and work with him on a day-to-day basis.

Solicitor Doreen Y. Corino thanked Mr. Pantalone for his guidance and friendship over the years. She added that Mr. Pantalone has the interests of the entire Borough in his mind at all times.

Mr. Pantalone expressed his deep gratitude to everyone present for their kind words. He went on to thank his wife, Carol, for her support over the years. He thanked Borough Clerk Kevin Yecco for his expertise; that his peers from throughout the State call frequently for guidance and to seek his advice.  He next complimented the CFO, Steve Ritchie for his hard work, knowledge and dedication, Solicitor Doreen Corino for her professional guidance and all of the departments of the Borough. He specifically acknowledged the members of the Police Department and the Recreation staff under the direction of Frank Basile. Mr. Pantalone also acknowledged the fine work of the Municipal Court staff, the Borough’s EMTs, the Public Works Department. He thanked the staff in the Tax Collector’s Office for their “fine job.” He went on to add that the Assessor’s Office “is there for everybody.” Mr. Pantalone added that the Wildwood Crest Volunteer Fire Company “is one of the best fire departments you will ever find in the State of New Jersey .” He apologized if he had missed acknowledging any of the dedicated workers of the Borough since that was not his intention.

Mr. Pantalone went on to add that he has always tried to do what he thought was best for the Borough, and has “preached that to the Department Heads.” He stressed to Mr. Tomlin and Mr. Cabrera that “the Borough comes first” and that he hoped to see them back in office after May 17^th. He added, “I humbly thank each and every one of you for coming – it’s been an overwhelming experience.”

Mr. Cabrera thanked Mr. Pantalone for his guidance. He stated that in 1997 he went to Mr. Pantalone and told him that he was interested in running for election. Mr. Pantalone’s advice was “go out and do more in the community.” Mr. Cabrera followed that advice and in 2001 Mr. Pantalone “welcomed me with open arms” to that campaign. Mr. Cabrera added, “my thought processes are a little bit different at times, and John and I would spar a little bit, but he was always right.  I was the one that was wrong.”

Mr. Cabrera then motioned, seconded by Mr. Tomlin, that the meeting be adjourned.

Vote:          Cabrera-Tomlin-Pantalone-Yes

Dated:        May 25, 2005

Kevin M. Yecco, Borough Clerk

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