MARGATE – The mayors of all three Downbeach communities have been meeting on a somewhat regular basis for nearly three years to discuss shared services. Mayor Michael Becker said that while the meetings have been amiable and positive, they have not yielded much tangible progress. But they appear to be getting closer to a target.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the mayors had visitors from Trenton who gave them a more realistic idea of what the three communities might be able to share.

“It was a very positive meeting,” Becker said.

John Rasimowicz, manager of regionalization and special services for the state Department of Community Affairs, and George Dredden III, special assistant in the office of the commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, met with Becker and Mayors Theresa Kelly of Ventnor and Nick Russo of Longport.

“They talked to us about sharing services and consolidating services, but there was nothing determined except that they are willing to help us through the process. They think we have a lot of potential to share,” Becker said Tuesday, Dec. 13.

“Everything is on the table: dispatch, police, fire, municipal court and public works. We were just talking in general terms, not specifics at this point.”

The downside is there is no funding available from the state to commission any type of feasibility study regarding consolidation, according to Becker. While there was funding available several years ago to look at what savings might be attainable through consolidation or sharing, that has dried up.

“We have not set a date but we will, and are planning on an early January meeting with the representatives from the state and we will go forward from there,” concluded Becker.