PETERSBURG — Upper Township is considering the use of innovative technology to prevent beach erosion.
At Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Curtis Corson said he and Township Administrator Jimmy Van Zlike met with Leo “JoJo” Yodock Jr. of Yodock Simmons Construction & Environmental Solutions.
The national company based in Bloomsburg, Pa., specializes in water barrier technology to prevent coastal erosion.
“Our cutting-edge barrier systems are expertly designed to protect lives and property from nature’s fiercest challenges,” the company website states.
“They have innovative water technology for barricades to basically control beach erosion,” Corson said, noting they met in Strathmere and looked at the system.
Corson said the plastic W-shaped barriers, weighing in at 5,000 pounds apiece, are filled with sand slurry and anchored offshore “for the wave to hit and knock down the sand,” noting the system has been used off Florida in the Gulf of Mexico but never in the Atlantic Ocean.
Corson said the Department of Environmental Protection would have to be involved in the “stringent approval process” but that Yodock is interested in a pilot program for the alternative solution to beach replenishment.
“We keep pumping sand and it’s not working,” Corson said. “We might be able to try it if we get approval.”
He said the system is temporary and can be moved, which may satisfy requirements of the DEP, which is opposed to permanent structures at nature preserves such as Corson’s Inlet State Park.
UTBP headquarters
Corson said upgrades need to be made to the Upper Township Beach Patrol headquarters.
“The first day it was built it was inadequate,” the mayor said, reading off a list of issues. “It’s not big enough, there’s no adequate storage, there’s no restrooms. There’s no lockers for personnel to store stuff, no break area and no secure office and the observation deck doesn’t even face the ocean.”
He said with the growing number of female lifeguards, upgraded restroom facilities are a must.
Township Committee tasked the engineer with investigating construction of a facility that includes a public bathroom.
Strathmere speeding
Van Zlike said he and other officials attended the July meeting of the Strathmere Improvement Association and learned that many of the island’s residents are concerned about speeding on Commonwealth Avenue.
He said they reached out to the county for a speed study and recently received the results, which showed that the average speed was just 2 mph above the posted limit.
“As such, a reduction in speed is not warranted in accord with the New Jersey DOT traffic standards,” Van Zlike said. “It appears that the county posted speed is appropriate based on this data.”
Fall events
Committeeman Sam Palombo said numerous fall happening are coming up.
“Events, events, events,” he said.
They include the annual Applefest hosted by the Historic Preservation Society of Upper Township. There will be fresh apples, baked goods, apple cider, tarts with ice cream, warm apple shortcake, fall produce and grilled hot dogs and bratwurst.
In addition, there will be demonstrations by traditional craft artisans, apple pie baking contests for children and adults, live music and free tours of the restored Gandy Farm House. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Gandy Farmstead, 26 Tyler Road.
The following day is the Upper Township Fall Fest, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Amanda’s Field, 1091 Route 50 in Petersburg.
The event offers live bands, food trucks, craft vendors and a Kids Zone, as well as a beer garden. This year the Upper Township Recreation Department has added a classic car show. Gates open for show cars at 9 a.m.
The Philadelphia Eagles host the Denver Broncos at 1 p.m., and a large outdoor monitor will be set up airing the game.
The Upper Township Health and Wellness Fair is set for 3 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Community Center in Tuckahoe. A wide variety of vendors will provide information. There will be free flu vaccines and blood pressure checks, along with giveaways and drawings.
Yard waste, rabies clinic
Committeeman Zack Palombo said it’s now officially fall and the Department of Public Works will begin collecting yard waste.
“If you have piles, please try to keep the sticks out of it because it actually jams up our equipment,” he said.
Collection will begin the second week of October.
A free rabies clinic is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at Shore Veterinarians at 73 Hope Corson Road in Seaville.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
