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1/12/06 BACK

Longport, Ventnor to meet to discuss sharing services


By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer
LONGPORT – Longport Mayor John Stroebele said that he would soon be meeting with representatives of Ventnor to discuss the possibility of shared services.
“I have been invited to sit down on Jan. 11 with Ventnor to talk about trash collection. We want to see if they can do it cheaper and more efficiently,” Stroebele said at the Borough Commission meeting Wednesday, Jan. 4. “Let’s see if they have a better idea. I think we are certainly open to suggestions.”
The meeting with Ventnor is just a preliminary session to see if there is a way for the Downbeach communities to consolidate services in an effort to save taxpayers’ money. Currently Ventnor, Margate and Longport all handle their own trash collection.
The delay in implementing the new traffic improvements was also brought up at the meeting. Last summer the Longport Police Department studied traffic patterns and pedestrian habits and made recommendations to the Borough Commission on how to improve pedestrian safety in Longport. A plan was set into motion to funnel cars traveling on Atlantic Avenue into one lane in either direction entering and leaving neighboring Margate. Implementation of the plan, referred to as a “traffic-calming pattern,” was slated to begin in January but is now on hold pending new bids on the project.
According to Stroebele, the bids came in over budget. The project will go back out for bid, and the borough hopes to award a contract in February. That should still allow enough time for the project to be completed before the tourist season starts.
The project will entail striping, signage and some curbing.
Police Chief Scott Porter said there will be a period of adjustment and education on the part of drivers and pedestrians. The new traffic pattern will commence at the light at 31st Street and gradually narrow the traffic down to one lane by 28th Street along Atlantic Avenue.
In other business, Mayor Stroebele thanked members of the Fire Department for aggressively seeking grants, which provide funds for improvements without adding to the tax bill. The Longport Fire Department is the recipient of a $51,660 federal grant to pay for the installation of a special exhaust evacuation system at the fire station.
“It is really gratifying that our guys are watching what is out there and making sure that Longport manages to get a piece of the pie,” said the mayor.
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