Minutes of Special Commissioners Meeting   -   May 18, 2010

Prior to the opening of the Special Meeting, Mr. Groon led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Special 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:

Gould - Cabrera – Groon – Yes

Mr. Groon 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 special meeting by posting notice on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall and by mailing and fax transmitting same to the Gazette-Leader, the Herald and The Press on April 29, 2010, at 11: 21 a.m.

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

The Clerk stated that the only item permitted for discussion at this Special Meeting is the Wildwood Crest defeated school budget. He added that resolutions would be entertained as formal action at the conclusion of the presentation by Mrs. Gould based upon meetings held with the authorized representative group of the Board of Commissioners as well as the representatives of the Wildwood Crest School Board.

Mrs. Gould read the following resolution in full:

(Resolution certifying the General Fund Tax Levy for the Borough of Wildwood Crest Board of Education for the School Year 2010-11 by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Wildwood Crest, County of Cape May, State of New Jersey)

Mr. Groon then opened the floor for public comments.

Mr. John Thorpe stated that the governing body made no cuts to the budget. He was advised that his statement was not true. He then inquired as to what was cut from the budget. Mr. Cabrera stated that $75,000 was cut from the budget. The member of the audience stated that 67% of the voters voted the budget down. The Clerk stated that from an accuracy standpoint, the intended increase was $235,000, and, therefore, one-third of the intended increase was cut from the budget. Mr. Thorpe asked if the Borough looks at the average cost in the State of New Jersey to educate a child. He quoted a figure of $18,000. He added that Wildwood Crest is in the vicinity of $22,000. He added that the Borough must stop going to the taxpayers.

Mr. Groon asked the representatives from the school as to the number of students in the school district. The response was that there are 290 students in the elementary school, there are approximately 30 sent to the vocational school and 50 plus are sent to Wildwood High School, as well as 20-30 in special services and a few at other state facilities. Mr. Groon stated that he would like clarification of Mr. Thorpe’s comment that Wildwood Crest pays $22,000 per student. Mr. Anderson responded that the cost per child per year in 2009 was $18,000.

Mr. Thorpe reiterated his comment that the governing body did not cut enough from the proposed budget. Mr. Cabrera responded that the statement was not fair. He added that the bottom line was that the increase was $235,000 since the school board had already done their due diligence and made cuts to get to that number. The taxpayers then stated by their vote that they wanted more. After the vote, the governing body then had meetings with the school representatives to explore further cuts. He added that a plan was formulated for the current school year as well as future years to further cut costs and share services.

Mr. Thorpe asked how much taxes will increase based on the budget to be approved. Mr. Anderson responded that the defeated budget was asking for 1.3 cents. Mr. Cabrera stated that it will now be less than one cent.

Bill Shilacta of Preston Avenue , stated that he had attended two school board meetings due to the “alarming” size of the proposed budget and school tax increase. He added that he was convinced that any increase, no matter how small, is completely unnecessary. At the first budget meeting he attended, a small group of concerned citizens asked why a $900,000 increase in spending was necessary. The answers received were “vague” with most of the blame being placed on state mandated programs. Thereafter, the budget increase was reduced to around $300,000. He reiterated the prior speaker’s comment that Wildwood Crest taxpayers pay “well over $18,000” to educate a student. He stated that is was an “outrageous” sum of money. He added that Wildwood Crest spends twice the state mandate to educate its students. It was his opinion that most of the excess expense can be attributed to the “gross overstaffing” of the school. He urged the governing body to reject the school budget increase “just as the constituents have done.”

Mrs. Gould thanked Mr. Shilacta for his opinion. She stated that Crest Memorial School is one of the top schools in Cape May County . She added that at the election, parents did not come out to vote, which is an unfortunate thing. She went on to state that the school is facing many state mandates that must be addressed in the budget. She concluded that the governing body has done its “due diligence” and done the best they could to further reduce spending.

Mr. Shilacta responded that he appreciates the work done by the governing body, but indicated that someone must have the courage to state “enough is enough, no.” He reiterated that the school is overstaffed, grossly.

Nancy Pietropaoli, 6002 Seaview Avenue , stated that it was her opinion that the entire matter has little to do with the school. It was her opinion that it was angry taxpayers who voted down the proposed school budget. She went on to state that taxpayers all over the country are very, very angry, and want everyone to cut back. Mrs. Gould stated that Mrs. Pietropaoli works the polls, and asked Mrs. Pietropaoli if the voters were first time school election voters. Mrs. Pietropaoli responded that there were a number of voters who do not usually vote. She added that it was obvious to her that the budget was going to be voted down.

Mr. Thorpe offered that the retired residents did not receive an increase in social security. Mrs. Gould responded that Wildwood Crest did not do that. Mr. Thorpe countered with, “where do I go to pay everybody.”

Mr. Cabrera stated that the question would be what can be done now and what can be done going forward. He stated that there are “radical” decisions and there is one that makes good business sense, and it was his opinion that the decision of the governing body makes good business sense, and it is the goal to streamline operations.

There being no further public comments, Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the public comments portion of the meeting be closed.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY:

RESOLUTION NO. 280-10

(Resolution to authorize exploration of extending and increasing current level/scope of Shared Services Agreement with Wildwood Crest Board of Education)

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

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Yes                                 Groon-Abstain

THE CLERK READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BY TITLE ONLY, the complete text of which is fully contained on the previous page:

RESOLUTION NO. 281-10

(Resolution Certifying the General Fund Tax Levy for the Borough of Wildwood Crest Board of Education for School Year 2010-11 by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Wildwood Crest, County of Cape May , State of New Jersey )

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

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Yes                                 Groon-Abstain

There being no further matters for discussion, Mrs. Gould motioned, seconded by Mr. Cabrera, that the meeting be adjourned.

Vote:          Gould-Cabrera-Groon-Yes

Dated:        May 26, 2010

Kevin M. Yecco, Borough Clerk