Newman discusses upcoming projects, budget, taxes, public safety and recreation
BEESLEYS POINT — The Upper Township Business Association welcomed Mayor Jay Newman and Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes to speak during its annual membership dinner Feb. 1 at the Tuckahoe Inn.
The mayor discussed ongoing projects, the upcoming budget and other issues that will be affecting township residents in the coming year.
Newman opened with some background on his family, noting Hayes has followed a similar path of public service — “maybe not as long as mine because I’m a little bit older than she is,” he said.
Newman, who also is chief of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, said he and his family have spent a lifetime serving the community.
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He met his wife of 40 years, Fran, during college at The Citadel, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She was an occupational therapist for Atlantic County Special Services School District for more than 30 years and has served on the Upper Township Board of Education for more than 20 years. Fran Newman also represents the township on the Ocean City Board of Education.
Their two sons, John, 35, and Mark, 31, also serve the public.
Maj. John Newman is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and commanding officer of the 355th Security Forces Squadron in Arizona. He earned a Bronze Star for combat service in Afghanistan.
Mark, 31, graduate from Liberty University and earned a master’s degree from Rowan University. He is a second grade special education teacher at Upper Township Primary School, as well as a part-time EMT with the Upper Township Division of EMS and deputy chief at the Marmora firehouse.
“We are a family of service, and little, old Upper Township produces leaders in public service. It’s a great place to live, work and raise a family and you all are part of that,” Newman told the UTBA.
He said Hayes has “the same basic bio, a little bit different names.”
“A lot younger,” Hayes shouted out.
She works as an Ambulatory Care Management Team Leader for AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. She and her husband, Shaun, a recently retired corrections officer, have three children. Their oldest, Aidan, serves in the U.S. Coast Guard while Treasa is a college freshman studying animation and Logan is a sophomore at St. Augustine Prep.
State of the Township
Newman, who has about 15 years experience on Township Committee, said the main focus of the governing body right now is formulating the 2024 budget.
“As with every government, taxes are usually one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. We are tasked with balancing and providing services to township residents and keeping the tax rate as low as possible,” he said.
A budget workshop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12, ahead of the Township Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m.
“We try to keep the tax rate low and increases to a minimum,” Newman said, adding he was not predicting an increase this year. “I don’t think there is going to be a very big one at all, if there is one.”
The mayor said a major project on the horizon and getting closer is the redevelopment of the former B.L. England Generating Station property by the Beesley’s Point Development Group.
The BPDG bought the 350-acre property in November 2021 and began an environmental cleanup.
The developer has yet to make its plans for the property public but its partners have said they envision a marina, hotel, retail space and housing, as well as an extensive public nature aspect.
Remediation so far has involved implosion and removal of the cooling tower in September 2022, removal of the boiler units in April 2023 and implosion of the iconic smokestack in October. Environmental cleanup also included the removal of invasive phragmites reeds.
“We continue to work with them through our redevelopment attorney and subcommittee with concepts. There are a lot of concepts out there but no firm plans yet,” Newman said.
He said the township will benefit from the project through installation of “needed infrastructure,” using water and sewer service as an example, as well as job and recreational opportunities.
The mayor said the property belongs to the BPDG and it can do what it likes within the parameters of the township zoning codes, “but we will continue to be actively involved. They have to go through us to get what they want.”
He said the BPDG has been very cooperative and constantly in contact “to keep place safe and active and to keep us informed of what’s going on there.”
“We will continue to work with them to bring the best possible use of the property for the betterment of Upper Township. We want that to be a shining jewel.”
The mayor said the township continues to work on its affordable housing obligations, noting the state has put a limit on the number of age-restricted housing a municipality can have that counts toward its total.
“Our job is to find the best thing for the township while continuing to allow for development that has the least impact on our residents,” Newman said.
He also discussed upcoming paving projects, noting the township has not paved some roads in decades.
The state is set to repave Route 9 from the border with Dennis Township to Great Egg Harbor Bay. Workers have been installing conduits in the road for a fiber-optic line and will update electrical wiring to control the traffic signals. Curb ramps at corners will be installed and some curb and driveway work will be conducted.
The county is conducting work on Church Road, which he said is in “dire need of repaving.” The project will include drainage work and widening from Tuckahoe Road to Route 9. Newman said he anticipates that project will be done by the end of March.
Local roadwork includes about $1 million worth of paving. The mayor did not mention specific roadways.
“We haven’t repaved streets in years,” he said, noting Township Committee and Administrator Gary DeMarzo have been working to stabilize the budget so these types of projects can be undertaken on a regular basis.
Newman said the Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently complete beach replenishment in Strathmere, shoring up that island community to address major erosion.
“The beach looks great. Some of the timber groins have been removed and the crossovers are complete,” Newman said.
Other projects coming in Strathmere include the installation of storm water pumps and creation of a living shoreline.
He said the Department of Public Works “continues to shine,” noting the recent snow cleanup went well.
“We are very, very proud of them,” he said, adding the department continues to save the township money by taking on projects that otherwise would have to be bid out.
Newman said the township’s recreation programs and facilities “are second to none and the envy of Cape May County.”
He noted the township is replacing lights at the football field and making other improvements at Amanda’s Field.
The Community Center, where a new floor was installed last year, “sees heavy use,” he said.
Regarding public safety, something with which the mayor has first-hand knowledge, “we are proud to have the best fire company in the county,” Newman said.
He said the Division of EMS is “fully staffed and well-equipped” and that all of the township firefighters are 100 percent volunteer.
“Those public safety people, those public works people, recreation workers and township employees make us look good and while they are doing that, they are making your businesses look good,” he told the UTBA members.
Newman said the township has been focusing on acquiring grants to fund many projects.
“We’re trying to get grants wherever we can get the money; if we are eligible for it, we are applying for it,” he said.
The mayor said the township has applied for a nearly $1 million Safe Routes to School grant from the Department of Transportation that would fund sidewalks and other safety improvements near the primary and elementary schools. They also applied for a $400,000 Small Cities Facilities grant to fund Americans with Disability Act improvements at Amanda’s Field, where a $700,000 grant may help improve the skate park.
“We’re focused on wherever we can get the money and apply it in a good spot,” Newman said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff