Wildwood Crest commissioners approve infrastructure work and budget tweaks; residents press for parking and tree planting

The Wildwood Crest Borough Commission on Thursday adopted a series of routine resolutions and authorized engineering work and budget changes while residents used the public‑comment period to press for more parking and tree‑planting programs.

The commission approved a 2026 meeting schedule and official holidays, amended the Green Team’s membership to allow five to eight members and authorized appointing Susan Kraor through Dec. 31, 2026. The body also adopted an amendment to the 2025 municipal budget to reflect additional New Jersey Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funding for ADA‑compliant bathroom work.

Commissioners voted 2–1 to increase an Acuity Consulting Services contract by $7,900 for affordable‑housing planning and administrative work after a roll call in which Mr. Schiff voted yes, Mr. Franco voted no, and Mr. Cabrera voted yes. The commission unanimously authorized a borough engineer work order to reconstruct Bay View Drive (Denver Avenue to Miami Avenue) with engineering and construction phase costs not to exceed $65,000.

A separate change order for the final reconstruction of Toledo Avenue (fiscal year 2024; NJDOT municipal aid) was approved by roll call, with Mr. Franco recorded as the sole dissent. The transcript records the change‑order amount as “36,8259,” which is unclear in the record and is noted as such in borough minutes.

Engineer Mr. Delasio reported several capital projects under way: the Bayside bulkhead replacement has remobilized to install storm water valves; a New Jersey I‑Bank sanitary sewer and roadway contractor is working on Stockton Road but is being pushed to accelerate; and the New Jersey Avenue sewer/water improvement is due to start in mid‑October. Delasio also said the borough submitted a Cape May County Open Space application on Sept. 2 for the Crest Fishing Pier; the county Open Space Board recommended a $2.5 million grant to the county commissioners and a public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Residents focused much of public comment on parking and the future of a small borough‑owned lot at Crocus and New Jersey Avenue that recently went to auction. Dennis Hall said he would partner with the borough to secure two parking spaces to support converting rooftop space on his building into housing, arguing that “you can never have enough parking, especially on a barrier island.” Several business owners and residents urged the borough to retain the lot as open parking to support local businesses and future development.

Katherine Hughes asked why a former tourism information building near the lifeguard stand was leased as a seasonal café rather than used year‑round by the beach patrol; borough officials said the back of the building remains in municipal use for storage while the front space was put out to bid to generate revenue (the bid starts at $11,000 per year, increasing in later years under the lease schedule).

Public commenters also debated the cost and value of temporary vehicle‑barrier bollards and other security measures. One resident urged fiscal restraint, calling potential spending on park barriers “massive” and of low expected benefit; another responded, asking rhetorically, “What does one life cost?” to underscore the safety argument. Speakers also recommended planting salt‑tolerant native trees such as red cedar to provide long‑term, low‑maintenance shade and natural traffic‑calming benefits.

Officials announced a public presentation by the borough planner on Nov. 6 that will show updated design concepts for New Jersey Avenue — including parking, loading and bike/park elements — and a business‑owner meeting will be held in early November to solicit local input. The commission also moved its November meeting from Nov. 19 to Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting concluded with brief commissioner remarks recognizing Buddy Johnson’s 60 years of service with the beach patrol and routine administrative reminders before the commission voted to enter closed executive session.