With the beach paths closed, I have to be creative to get my daily dose of “water views”.
Fortunately, we live on an island!
This morning, we walked toward the Townsends Inlet Bridge. This is the first time I’ve seen the seawall up close -usually I’m there for a photo op during a storm with the waves splashing over!
Our return route along Ocean Drive provided additional bay views, and some salt air breezes.
Grateful…
Government officials are beginning to prepare us for the new normal. We will not be suddenly freed from our homes to resume our prior lives.
So what should we expect this summer at the shore?
My random thoughts:
Beach tag inspectors enforcing social distancing between family groups (will be challenging on the busier beaches).
Extra life guard stands so that guards can spread out.
Designer cloth masks to match bathing suits and beach cover ups (idea for the local surf shops!)
Restaurants with outdoor dining will be preferred- and should definitely incorporate air circulation for comfort, and to ward off those pesky gnats!
Families will be comfortable vacationing in properties where they can control the cleanliness. Homes with pools will become even more popular because the occupants can isolate and enjoy their time away.
We are fortunate that Avalon and Stone Harbor offer plenty of open spaces- allowing residents and visitors the opportunity to safely navigate a much needed break this summer.
Think positive 😎
With the beach off limits, we are now exploring all of the neighborhoods of the island during our daily walks.
Thankfully, as a real estate agent, checking out houses is my favorite pastime!
Today’s walk covered from downtown Avalon, and north to the inlet. Loved seeing the ocean at the turn around.
High winds , heavy rain, thunder storms, and now a tornado warning??
I had to check on a property during a break in the storms, and all seemed okay driving through Avalon and Stone Harbor.
Back home in time to watch the dark clouds roll in over the bay…
I had to venture out this morning for a doctor’s appointment.
A few observations:
It looks like fewer homes are occupied compared to the past 2 weeks. Year round residences make up a small percentage of property owners on the island, so we all tend to notice those “with lights on” during the off season. From a practical perspective, maybe it was time for some owners to return to their primary residence to tackle projects and/or be closer to family?
Almost all of the vehicles on the road were for contractors and landscape companies. That’s common for April either way!
Easter weekend will not include a sunrise service on the beach…or breakfast at Uncle Bill’s.
But I’m safe and healthy…and wishing the same for all of you, too.
Directive from the Governor of New Jersey:
BREAKING: I’m signing an Executive Order to further our aggressive efforts to enforce social distancing.
All non-essential construction across New Jersey will CEASE, indefinitely, effective 8:00 PM Friday.
Exceptions include projects at our hospitals and schools, in our transportation and public utility sector, the building of affordable housing, other individual housing sites that can adhere to strict limits on the number of workers on-site, and other limited instances.
The last sentence is important for local construction projects.
Builders will be required to restrict their sub-contractors and crews in order to comply with this order.
Emergency/essential repairs are also permitted.
As of today, all beaches in Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ are closed until early May. Access to the boardwalk in Avalon is also prohibited.
We walk the beach daily (and often twice a day), so this will be tough. Yet I understand that municipalities all along the coast are making these decisions to deter visitors and keep us all safe.
We are typically gearing up for the summer season by now.
Instead, we are talking with our rental property owners and summer tenants about the “what ifs” for summer of 2020.
Tenants arriving in May and early June are understandably the most unsettled. Their final rent payments are coming due, and there is so much uncertainty regarding the timeline.
Our best guess last week for even a partial return to normalcy, seems less realistic this week.
The take away from the phone and email conversations:
1) Property owners are realistic and want to do the right thing.
2) Tenants are hopeful that their summer vacation plans can stay in place.
3) Everyone understands that business is on a pause mode for the next several weeks.
In the meantime, I’m here (working from home of course) and will do what I can to help.
Stay safe and healthy!
BOROUGH OF AVALON
Cape May County, New Jersey
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Martin L. Pagliughi, Mayor
MAYORAL DIRECTIVE
ISSUED AND EFFECTIVE MARCH 30, 2020
TO: ALL BOROUGH RESIDENTS and VISITORS.
ALL BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS IN THE BOROUGH
ALL OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF BUSINESSES OPERATING IN AVALON
ALL BOROUGH EMPLOYEES and
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
As everyone knows, the COVID-19 Pandemic has hit New Jersey especially hard together with our sister States of New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware. As a result, and in order to protect our citizens and our first responders and others who are working to provide essential services to us, Governor Murphy has issued a series of Gubernatorial Executive Orders which have the force and effect of law. These Executive Orders (“EOs”) are currently in effect and will remain in effect until further notice.
EO 107 became effective on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 9 PM. That Order prohibited gatherings of individuals for such purposes as parties, celebrations, or other social events, including conferences, large meetings, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings and other types of assemblies. This Order also required that all non-essential retail businesses must close storefront and/or brick-and-mortar premises. It listed types of businesses that could remain open as “essential”. That Order further required all citizens to cease any unnecessary travel and to remain in their homes. This was for the purpose of curtailing the spread of COVID-19.
EO 108 was issued the same date to be effective on March 21, 2020 at 9 PM. EO 108 expressly provides, in part, as follows:
“[Governor Murphy] declared that, due to the State of Emergency, no municipality, county, or any agency or political subdivision of this State shall enact or enforce any order, rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution which will or might in any way conflict with any of the provisions of my Executive Orders, or which will in any way interfere with or impede their achievement; . . .” (EO 108 pg. 2)
EO 108 further provides, in part, as follows:
“WHEREAS, certain municipalities may have legitimate concerns about an influx of new visitors, which may cause public health concerns as we impose social distancing measures and aim to avoid unnecessary increases in density of individuals; . . .” (EO 108 pg. 4)
Avalon is just such a community. Additional cases of the virus have been confirmed in Cape May County – including Avalon. This poses an imminent threat to the public health and safety and requires both immediate and drastic action.
AS MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH OF AVALON, I AM ISSUING THIS DIRECTIVE TO BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND I APPEAL TO ALL THOSE MENTIONED HEREIN:
1. Those seasonal residents of Avalon who maintain permanent residences elsewhere, are asked not to come to the Borough of Avalon during this pandemic and while the Governor’s EOs remain in effect. We value our seasonal residents and we welcome you to this wonderful community which belongs to all of us and we cherish the time you spend here. However, coming to Avalon at this time violates the travel restrictions imposed by our Governor, subjects you to fines of up to $1,000.00 and poses a public health risk by increasing the spread of this Pandemic. Remember: You can infect others even though you have no symptoms and may not even be aware that you are infected.
2. In addition to not visiting Avalon at this time, I appeal to you to. withhold your property from the rental market for the duration of the State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency due to the COVID – 19 Pandemic. I recognize that this comes as a sacrifice and inconvenience to you. However, such action on your part in withholding your property from the rental market is for the good of all – including you. It will make Avalon a safer place for all of you. I am also requesting that all Realtors comply with this appeal.
3. Measures such as I have requested come at a cost. They also require a change in plans for family and friends that may have been planned for a long time. No one saw this pandemic coming. Never has our country experienced such widespread closures of business, schools, churches, and other institutions. This is the time for all of us, regardless of our circumstances, to practice civic responsibility, remain at home to the greatest extent possible and travelling only for reasons of urgent necessity and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the New Jersey Department of Health as well as the guidance of the health departments in our sister states.
4. I urge my fellow citizens to practice caution, restraint, and responsibility toward others during these perilous times. It is therefore imperative that each of us complies with the Governor’s Executive Orders as issued. By your voluntary compliance with these requirements you will serve the needs of all and avoid the necessity of further laws.
Thank you.
MARTIN L. PAGLIUGHI, Mayor
As of now, beach access is not limited in Avalon or Stone Harbor.
Ocean City made the tough decision today to close their boardwalk and beach to discourage social gatherings.
My hope is that the residents here continue to behave appropriately. Our daily beach walks provide a much needed mental break!
Much of the vehicle traffic around the island is related to construction. And that’s typical for this time of the year.
Some of the summer homes previously occupied over the weekend are now vacant.  Guessing those owners are heeding the Governor’s request and/or realizing they are better off staying close to their primary health care facilities.
I will continue to keep you posted in the days and weeks ahead…
