PETERSBURG — Mayor Curtis Corson, newly re-elected by his peers to the top position, said the township is looking to increase revenue through the state’s cannabis tax, cut costs and shore up its beaches in 2026.
“We’re going to be introducing a bond for road maintenance, repair and things of that nature, and some recreation projects,” Corson said following the Township Committee reorganization meeting Jan. 5. “Obviously the cannabis thing’s going to be a thing and we have to work on this beach replenishment. We have to figure out what’s happening there and sort through all that.”
“I look forward to this upcoming year because we do have a lot of stuff in the works. There’s going to be a lot of changes. We’re looking at other revenue streams. We’re looking at cost savings,” he said.
Committeemen Victor Nappen II and Tyler Casaccio were sworn in. Nappen is beginning his second full term while Casaccio, who was appointed last year to fill an unexpired seat, is starting his first full term on the governing body.
Nappen serves on the Cannabis Subcommittee with Committeeman Zack Palombo.
“We’re going to come up with an RFP to have anybody that wants to be the potential vendor for where it’s going to be to come in, so we’re going to work on that,” Nappen said.
Another big project on the horizon is the Beesley’s Point Development Group’s redevelopment of the former site of the B.L. England Generating Station.
The BPDG has plans in the works for a waterfront hotel, retail and residential project overlooking Great Egg Harbor Bay.
Corson said he was unaware of any specific dates for the project to move forward.
“I don’t know their timeline. I’d like to see something but we want to see it done right, not hurried,” he said.
Preliminary work has begun on the budget, and Corson said taxpayers should expect another increase.
“It’s going to be a tax increase; it’s inevitable,” he said. “Goods and services costs go up. The fuel prices have come down, some stuff has come down. So it’s going to be interesting.”
Nappen, who was re-elected as deputy mayor and oversees public safety, said one of his top goals is to secure a grant to build a new EMS facility.
“I have to keep pounding on the desk of Sen. (Cory) Booker to get our grant through,” Nappen said.
During the meeting, Gianna Ganiel sang the national anthem and Pastor Jonghwa Kim, of Trinity United Methodist Church, delivered the invocation and benediction.
“Bless this township with mutual respect, with honest dialogue and with a spirit of cooperation that seeks the common good. May our leaders be guided by wisdom, our citizens by good will and our shared life together. May this work be carried out with clarity of purpose and with hope for the future,” Kim said.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
