CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. – The Cape May County Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday afternoon with a packed agenda that puts roads, bridges and other infrastructure spending front and center.
Commissioners are scheduled to consider 33 resolutions at the 3 p.m. meeting, including nearly $2 million in engineering and construction change orders. The board will also vote on appointing an interim county engineer, seeking a $116,666 state grant for the prosecutor’s office and hiring new sheriff’s, corrections and social services employees.
- Commissioners will consider a $896,000 final change order for emergency work on the 104th Street Bridge in Stone Harbor.
- Three additional engineering change orders totaling more than $1.1 million involve Ocean Drive, Landis Avenue and New Jersey Avenue projects.
- David Maillet of Remington & Vernick Engineers is up for appointment as interim Cape May County engineer while the county searches for a permanent replacement.
Bridge and Road Projects Lead Tuesday’s Agenda
The largest single item is tied to the 104th Street Bridge over Great Channel in Stone Harbor.
Resolution 530-26 would authorize a $896,000 final change order to South State Inc. for emergency work on the bridge. According to the county agenda, the adjustment reflects the project’s as-built conditions.
Another substantial increase is proposed for Ocean Drive.
Resolution 528-26 calls for a $632,122.47 change order to Michael Baker International for professional engineering services connected to Ocean Drive upgrades and bridge improvements in Lower Township.
Sea Isle City also has two Landis Avenue items on the agenda.
Commissioners will consider increases of $259,603.46 and $219,568.75 to Greenman-Pedersen Inc. for additional engineering design services associated with resurfacing Landis Avenue from 69th Street to the Townsends Inlet Bridge.
Together, those two increases total $479,172.21.
Another $9,880 change order is proposed for T&M Associates for additional engineering work on New Jersey Avenue improvements in Wildwood Crest.
The county is also preparing for more work ahead. Commissioners are being asked to approve bid documents for Phase 3 of the Seashore Road resurfacing project in Lower Township and resurfacing improvements on Shunpike Road.
Cape May County Could Name Interim Engineer
Tuesday’s meeting also brings a change at the top of the county engineering operation.
Resolution 501-26 would appoint David Maillet, P.E., of Remington & Vernick Engineers as interim county engineer while Cape May County searches for a permanent replacement.
The agenda does not identify the reason a replacement is needed or provide a timetable for selecting a permanent engineer.
Commissioners will also vote on several personnel moves.
The proposed salary resolution includes a new sheriff’s officer at $47,118 annually, two correction officers at $50,000 and $47,000, and a bilingual Human Services Specialist 1 at $47,000. All four appointments would take effect Sept. 14.
Prosecutor’s Office Seeking $116,666 Grant
Another resolution would authorize Cape May County to apply for $116,666.66 through the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety’s Operation Helping Hands Grant Program.
The money would be used by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office for the state fiscal year running Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2027.
Municipal Alliance funding is also on the agenda.
The county proposes $6,319 for Dennis Township, $26,215 for Lower Township, $13,511 for Middle Township and $18,894 for the Upper Township/Ocean City Municipal Alliance Consortium.
Those four agreements total $64,939.
Festivals, Races and County Roads
Not everything on Tuesday’s agenda involves construction or personnel.
Commissioners will consider allowing county roads or property to be used for several upcoming community events, including the Run the Vineyards Down the Shore 5K on Oct. 18 and the Always Ready 5K in Cape May on Oct. 10.
Middle Township is seeking permission to temporarily close part of Mechanic Street for its Old Tyme Harvest Festival, Halloween Parade and Christmas Parade and Festival.
The board will also consider allowing the South Jersey National Adult Baseball Association to use part of Cape May County Park East on Sunday mornings from Sept. 13 through Nov. 15.
The regular meeting begins at 3 p.m. at the County Administration Building, 4 Moore Road in Cape May Court House. Public comment is scheduled before commissioners vote on the consent and regular agendas.
Nearly $2 million in project change orders are on the agenda.
The largest involve the 104th Street Bridge, Ocean Drive and Landis Avenue projects, with a smaller increase proposed for New Jersey Avenue work.
Cape May County could get an interim county engineer Tuesday.
David Maillet of Remington & Vernick Engineers is proposed for the position while officials select a permanent replacement.
The meeting begins at 3 p.m. in Cape May Court House.
Commissioners will meet at the County Administration Building at 4 Moore Road, with public comment included on the agenda.
Sources: Cape May County Board of County Commissioners Sept. 8 meeting agenda and accompanying resolutions
