Council met on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 4:00 PM. The meeting was live-streamed through the Borough's website. The highlights from the meeting are as follows:
1. The Meeting opened with Council president Barbara Juvaitis recognizing Business Administrator Scott Wahl's appointment to a leadership position in the New Jersey Manager's Association. The other two appointees are from Atlantic and Cumberland Counties.
2. Public Works and the Recreation Department presented information about the study being done to determine the future direction of the Bench Memorial Program. This program was temporarily suspended a few months ago as issues related to maintenance and the sheer number of benches surfaced. The study has identified the need for a few more benches in the vicinity of Surfside Park and the adjacent playground, but overall, there appears to be an excess of benches in many areas. The boardwalk now has 81 benches. The study will continue.
3. There was a discussion regarding plans for sports and recreation camps for the 2022 summer season, and a resolution was approved designating protected bathing beaches, surfing beaches, paddle board beaches, and areas where volley ball will be permitted.
4. The annual budget will be presented at the March 23rd Council Meeting. It is anticipated that there will be a decrease in the municipal budget for the next fiscal year and an anticipated decrease in the municipal tax rate of 2/10 of one cent. While the municipal tax rate will decline, Avalon property owners also pay a library tax, a school tax, open spaces tax, and a county tax. Avalon has no control over these last four taxes.
5. The Avalon Garden Club and the Public Works Department are jointly cleaning up and replanting the area around the sign at the entrance to the borough (southeast corner of Ocean Drive and Avalon Boulevard.)
