Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News

  • Avalon & Stone Harbor Elementary Schools

    I attended the meeting last week regarding the consolidation of the 2 island elementary schools. 

    Based on the study presented at the meeting:  projected enrollment for each school is not expected to rise.  Avalon has an average of 75 students; Stone Harbor 69.  Tuition students- approximately 10 per school.

    The Avalon School has a capacity for 200 students; Stone Harbor 150 students.  If the 2 schools combined, the average class size would be 15 students.

    The cost savings to the tax payers- less than $100 per year.  The real benefit is the social interaction for the students and ultimately, a better education.

    The school boards have 3 options:  1) no change; 2) a send/receive agreement utilizing both facilities with the lower grades in Stone Harbor, and the higher grades in Avalon; 3) a complete merger to one facility- the Avalon structure is newer and larger, so the likely choice.

    The send/receive option is the easiest to implement and does not require a public vote.  Both school boards are discussing the study now.

  • Schools on the Island

    http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/55144-sevenmile+schools+examine+consolidation+options

    An article regarding the ongoing debate to consolidate the 2 elementary schools on the island.  The State of New Jersey will eventually force action, so the hope is that the 2 communities can work together to determine a positive solution.

    Back in the dark ages (when I attended Avalon Elementary), new families were moving to town and the school population was growing- even prompting an addition to the school in the early 1970’s.  Stone Harbor’s class size has always been smaller than Avalon’s- creating social issues for the students.

    Now, both schools rely on tuition students to partially fill the classrooms. 

    The Avalon Land and Homeowners Association has scheduled a meeting on October 7th at 7pm in the Avalon Elementary School- looking for public comment.

  • Fall Sunsets

    PointSunset In the fall, the sunsets at the shore are especially beautiful.  It can look like huge a fireball over the bay.

    For those of us who don’t live on the bay, we walk to find open viewing areas to the western sky.

     

    SunsetBeach Stone Harbor Point is a great spot- the birding platforms provide an amazing 360 degree view of the ocean, inlet, wetlands, and bay.

  • Seashore Real Estate

    During the past 30 days,  23 properties SOLD(settlement) in Avalon and Stone Harbor.  The number of settlements each month has remained consistent since late spring…and it’s a huge improvement over our Fall 2008 market!

    The selling prices range from $250,000 (for an efficiency condo on on 96th Street) to $5,100,000 (for a custom bay front home on Pelican Drive).  The median price was $937,500 for a mix of condo/townhouse units, 2 duplexes, a vacant lot, and single family homes.

    All positive signs for an improving real estate market at the shore  🙂

    Drop me a note at ann@anndelaney.com if you would like to review the data.

  • Rental Licenses

    http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/55071-stone+harbor+require+annual+rental+licenses+fire+inspections

    Stone Harbor will follow similar guidelines already in place in Avalon- requiring annual inspections/licensing for all rental properties per an article in the Cape May County Herald.

  • Update- Beach Replenishment

    http://www.stone-harbor.nj.us/

    According to the Borough of  Stone Harbor web site:  the beach replenishment project for 98th through 111th Streets has been rescheduled for mid-October.  The set up and survey work will start on Sunday, October 18th; with pumping to follow on Friday, October 23rd.

    dredge

    The dredge is in position in the inlet between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood- pumping sand on the North Wildwood beaches prior to the Stone Harbor project.

    Mother Nature has made it very clear that we need new sand.  Recent storms battered the dunes and removed much of the remaining layer of  soft sand.

  • Fall Weekend

    http://www.wetlandsinstitute.org/wnw.html

    Perfect weather all weekend for the annual Wings & Water Festival.  Events continue through today in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Middle Township.

  • Beach to Beach

    BigIslandBeach So… this is the beach I walked on yesterday;

     

     

     

     

     

    beachSH And this is the beach I walked on today   :) 

    Even on a dreary day, it’s good to smell the salt air!

    Back home from our vacation, and surprised that the beach fill isn’t underway in Stone Harbor.   Guessing it was the weather.  Saw the dredge in the North Wildwood inlet…will keep you posted.

  • Sunday Sights

     The equipment is arriving to the 111th Street beach in Stone Harbor in preparation of the beach fill.  Pumping begins on Wednesday.TrucksSeptRace 

     The Tim Kerr 7 Mile & 5K race this morning was a HUGE success.   Over 1,000 runners, and hundreds of spectators to cheer them on. 

     

     

     For race results:

    http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1774393&assetId=cf05fddc-b925-46f3-a90e-5fdb360c8fa1

    or:  http://timkerrcharities.org/7-mile-run.htm

  • Stone Harbor Beach Fill

    BeachProject  BeachSept

    An article in the local paper indicated that North Wildwood was next on the list for the beach fill project, but the signs posted at the beach entrances state otherwise.

    The equipment will arrive on Sunday of Labor Day weekend (that should be interesting)- to the staging area on 111th Street.  The actual pumping of sand is scheduled to start on Wednesday, September 9th- working north toward 98th Street over a period of 9 days.   The beaches will be closed in the immediate area of pumping (approximately 3 blocks at a time).

    It will be an inconvenience, but the end result should be a huge improvement to our battered beaches.