PETERSBURG — Upper Township Committeeman Sam Palombo reported that vandalism continues to be a problem at Amanda’s Field in the form of obscene graffiti.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that it happens. It’s hard for me to watch children in this community be entertained by that kind of behavior. It’s really a disservice to the community in general,” he said May 26.
He apologized to the Department of Public Works for having to clean it up.
Committeeman Zach Palombo also discussed the vandalism, saying spray paint was used to write “vulgar and obscene language and visual displays.”
He added that the committee is planning to invest funds in updating facilities for youth across the township.
“We would hope parents be mindful of their children’s whereabouts and understand that great things can be ruined and tainted by the actions of unsupervised youth,” he said.
He added that there are video cameras at the field and the township plans to update its surveillance.
Township Administrator Jimmy Van Zlike noted that improvements to the sports and recreation complex are “moving at the speed of light.”
He said the township was set to award a contract for concrete that will be the foundation for an outdoor fitness studio and that would be followed by construction of a new skateboard park.
“Then there’s going to be lights, then there’s going to be dugouts, then there’s going to be softball fields,” he said.
Beach replenishment
Van Zlike provided an update May 26 on the status of beach replenishment in the Strathmere section of Upper Township.
He said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still looking to begin the project later this month.
“We’re still looking at June 24 for sand to be pumped on our beach,” he said.
Until that time, the Department of Public Works will be “maintaining a compromised dune and beach system” to keep access points open to the badly eroded strand.
The base contract calls for dredging, pumping and placing more than 1.1 million cubic yards of sand from two borrow areas — one off of Corsons Inlet and the other about three miles offshore of Sea Isle.
About 863,000 cubic yards of sand will be pumped from Ocean Drive to Jasper Road (about 5,168 feet) in Strathmere.
The project is a joint effort of the Army Corps’s Philadelphia District, the DEP and the municipalities. Work is cost-shared (50 percent federal and 50 percent non-federal).
Van Zlike said Upper Township and Sea Isle must fund about $5 million, split based on amount of sand. The township’s share is about $2.1 million, he said. The cost of the project came down from original estimates.
Township Committee approved a $2.8 million bond ordinance May 26, part of which will fund a portion of the beach work.
“We try to keep crossovers open but there could be times when access and crossovers are closed,” Van Zlike said, noting there are signs are the beach with a QR code that links to information on access.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
Photos courtesy of Zach Palombo