By John Schmidt
This summer will be the first time in twenty years that people will step foot on the pier down on the waterfront. The announcement came at last week\’s monthly city council meeting.
The city is planning on opening an Irish Pub, as well as bringing in a sailing vessel which the city bid on to start to attract people to the waterfront.
Residents Theresa Grahm and Louisa Llewellyn expressed concerns about the safety of the pier. Llewellyn noted that a study had been done previously stating the pier was unsafe.
Mayor William P. James said that a new study was done by the city Engineer, Remington and Vernick which found the pier was safe for pedestrian traffic.
\”No one has stepped foot on the pier in 20 years,\” James said. \”It\’s about time our city government takes these steps.\”
In addition to the news that the city is planning to open the pier down on the waterfront, Alexander McCartney, a representative from the New Jersey Department of Forestry Service made a presentation to the mayor and common council.
The presentation was about a program called Cool Cities Initiative which was started by the state back in 2003. The mission of the program is to conserve energy by planting trees.
McCartney explained that Gloucester City was chosen because it is an urban area and has a very low tree cover. McCartney will work with the Gloucester City Tree and Beautification Committee, who will be responsible for outreach programs in the community to talk to residents about the program.
In total at least 200-300 tress will be planted in Gloucester City as part of the program at no cost to the city.
There was also a public hearing by Comcast Cable to renew its contract with the city to own, operate, extend, and maintain a cable television and cable communications for the city.
\”We are not happy that Comcast moved out to Audubon,\” James said.
James also mentioned that the place where residents pay their cable bill in the city, RX pharmacy only accepts cash not checks.
Resident Jim Kelly had concerns about the rising cost of cable as well as the changing of channels and channels being removed by the cable company.
In addition to Kelly, resident Jim Everett asked whether other cable company\’s were permitted to supply service to residents. The answer to Everett\’s question was that other cable companies could come into Gloucester City.
In addition James announced the city will be passing two new ordinances. The first will attempt to prevent children from outside of Gloucester from attending public schools in town. He mentioned that there have been many vehicles from Pennsylvania dropping kids off at public schools in town and many kids are walking into Gloucester to attend school.
\”[This] cannot happen anymore,\” James said. \”Not with $14,000 per student.\”
The second ordinance involves the growing amount of graffiti in the city. The ordinance will hold juveniles and parents responsible.
During the roundtable portion of the meeting Councilmen Jay Brophy mentioned that on Saturday June 7th, at 9:00 a.m. he would be down at Fort Nassau to clean it up and that he could use help. He encouraged people to come out and volunteer.
Councilmen Nick Marchese encouraged people to recycle and he told people that they no longer had to separate their bottles and papers. Marchese mentioned that by recycling the city saves money.
Also, Councilman John Hutchinson thanked the Tree and Beautification Committee for all the work they do for the city.
Resident Jack Robberts, who has lived in town for over twenty years thanked the mayor and councilmember\’s for all that they have done for city, and there openness to the people.
\”I can\’t thank you guys enough,\” Robberts said.
The next Gloucester City Council meeting we be on June 26th, in Council Chambers.
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