Borough of Harvey Cedars, Ocean County, NJ
December 2020 Hometown News
*Department of Public Works & Public Property - Commissioner/Mayor Jonathan
Oldham*
November flew by. Thanksgiving gave us some time to think about all the
things that we are thankful for. 2020 has certainly been a different year.
The County’s contractor is putting the finishing touches on the Boulevard.
One more lane of overlayment, then the striping of the lanes. It seems like
the manholes are more prevalent than expected. We have notified the County
for correction.
Our team is wrapping up the water main on 72nd Street. The services have
been switched over and the hydrant is back in service. We will be patching
the blacktop prior to repaving in the Spring.
Winter storms are coming, and we are getting all the equipment ready for
mobilization. Our guys do a great job under pressure.
Please prepare your homes for the winter. If leaving your house unattended
for the winter, draining pipes is more secure than leaving on the heat.
Remember, in times of storms, power outages are common. Outside showers:
turn off and drain early! If we have to turn off your water at the street,
it is $50 during working hours and $200 for after hours, weekends and
holidays.
We are also working on our water diversion permit. The application was
resubmitted with the State. We continue to use more water than our current
permit allows, causing us to apply for a new permit.
We are working on budget items for 2021. There are a lot of things to
accomplish. I am looking forward to keeping the town moving forward. Feel
free to contact me if you have items that need to be addressed.
*Department of Revenue & Finance – Commissioner Paul Rice*
First off, we would like to thank the Harvey Cedars Taxpayers Association
for their generous donation towards the purchase of a second Polaris beach
vehicle to be used for our handicap beach access program next year. Along
with their money, we will be using a portion of the $34,000 CDB Grant to
fund the purchase. The remainder of that money will be used to offset the
cost of beach mats. We have also received grant money from NJ Natural
Resources for the purchase of two new heating and air conditioning units
and LED lighting for the borough hall. It will cover roughly 50% of the
cost and allow us to pay off our portion, at 0% interest, over the course
of the next 5 years. We have been notified that more grant money will be
coming our way to pay for the repaving of both Holly and West Essex Avenues
in 2021.
As the Holidays are fast approaching, I'd like to remind you all that we
have some items for sale here at the borough offices, such as Holiday beach
badges, sweatshirts, T shirts and hats that would make fantastic gifts.
Stop by, say hello and purchase some logo wear for your favorite Harvey
Cedars fan.
In closing, I would like to thank all of the office staff for doing an
excellent job throughout this trying year and for all the help and
education they have given me during my first year in office.
Have a Wonderful Holiday, Paul Rice
*Department of Public Safety & Public Affairs – Commissioner/Deputy Mayor
John M. Imperiale*
First, on behalf of myself, Police Chief Burnaford, Beach Patrol Chief
Townsend, and all the members of the HCPD and the HC Beach Patrol, we wish
everyone a wonderful holiday season and a great and Happy New Year.
NO SHAVE NOVEMBER is over! Every member of the HCPD, including the Chief
and myself, participated in *No** Shave November* campaign to raise money
and awareness for those impacted by a cancer diagnosis. This year, we were
able to raise over $1,000 for David's Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation.
The foundation announced that 100% of the proceeds will go directly back to
those who are impacted and need assistance. There is still time to donate
on www.hcpolice.org Thank you to everyone who participated and everyone who
donated!
The Boulevard repaving project is wrapping up and once again I would like
to commend the HCPD Officers for their diligence. The Boulevard, as we
know, can be “unsafe.” The HCPD Officers did a great job in keeping us safe
throughout the roadwork project.
Coyotes! By now you have probably heard about the coyotes on LBI. There
have been several sightings on the Island, north and south ends. There has
been at least one reported sighting in Harvey Cedars. We have been in
communication with the Stafford Animal Control (whom we contract animal
control services with) and they are well aware. Anyone sighting a coyote
should call Animal Control at 609-597-1000. And please be vigilant with
regards to pets - do not let them outside unattended - and be extra careful
with garbage bins. Visit Wildlifehelp.org for more information about
coyotes.
Governor Murphy has signed legislation that will require all uniformed
State, County and Municipal Patrol Law Enforcement Officers to wear a body
worn camera. Governor Murphy signed this legislation to “promote
transparency in policing and build trust between police officers and the
communities they service”. The HCPD has always believed that transparency,
for both the public and the officers, is extremely important. Additionally,
cameras are another tool to provide an added level of safety to the
officers as well as the public. Since 2011 each Harvey Cedars marked patrol
vehicle has been equipped with in-car cameras and microphones that each
Officer wears while on patrol. This has been a voluntary measure, not State
mandated, that has been added to our vehicles for these many years. We will
be diligent in trying to ensure that the Governor also provides the
necessary funding for this mandate.
NIXLE: for those of you who receive messages through NIXLE, be aware that
NIXLE will now be sending the majority of messages in the form of an email
and NOT a text message. We encourage residents to download the NIXLE
(Everbridge) app as you will then receive regular messages and updates from
the HCPD.
The Harvey Cedars Taxpayers Association has generously donated $1,500
towards the HC Beach Patrol for the purpose of obtaining a second Polaris
Ranger Crew 1000. This is the vehicle that is used for the Beach Access
Program - which we intend to have fully back to normal next season, making
a second vehicle essential. The Beach Access Program allows us to transport
those in our community who need assistance getting on and off the beach.
Another reminder: We urge all property owners to utilize our free winter
house check program. Property owners can go to www.hcpolice.org and
register their home. Officers will periodically check on their property to
ensure that all doors and windows are secure, there are no water leaks,
etc. And, most importantly, if there is an issue with the property, the
Officers have up to date contact information to successfully notify the
property owner of the issue.
As mentioned last month, we had planned a series of six monthly “HCPD
Community Forums” for this year, so that HC residents can learn about the
HCPD, its Policies and Procedures, and meet the members of the Department.
Obviously, we could not do that this year, but hopefully we will next year.
In November’s “Communication” I presented the HCPD Organization Chart. For
this month, and each month going forward, I thought that I would present
the background of one of our Officers, starting with our Chief, Robert
Burnaford:
*Chief Robert Burnaford:*
38 Years Old
Member of the Harvey Cedars Police Department for 15 years, since 2005
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Rhode
Island
President, Ocean County Police Chief's Association
Member, New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association
Member, International Association of Chiefs of Police
rburnaford(a)hcpolice.org
609-276-1306
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*On behalf of all the Harvey Cedars Commissioners and employees, we wish
everyone a safe and healthy holiday season.*
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