Minutes - June 18, 2026:

Directors Dennis Crowley, Bob Elwell, Jules Rauch, Bill Seeger and Stacy Sheehan.  Guests attending were Paul Dietrich, Justine Gaver Magariel, and Kevin Stepanuk.

The President asked Mr. Stepanuk to take minutes as Ms. Sheehan joined after the meeting began.  There were no prior meeting minutes to be read; the May 20, 2026 meeting was informal as no quorum existed.

Mr. Dietrich, Cape May City Manager, gave an update on City capital projects.  He is currently working to finalize all costs for shared services with West Cape May and Cape May Point.  He raised the likelihood of a sewer rate increase due to costs to collect and treat sewage.  He also suggested an increase in water rates for those in the City with a second water meter (one not hooked up to the City sewage system).  Intense conversation followed focused on if the City has taken any actions to address water usage/cost concerns prior to considering a rate increase.  The existing Water Conservation Ordinance was discussed with many attendees having little to no awareness of it even though it was enacted circa 1997.  Mr. Dietrich said prior to this year, the City never had a complete picture of all costs regarding water production.  He stated that the cost increase will be needed regardless of the desalination plant improvements.  Mr. Crowley challenged the process of a rate increase without education/enforcement of the Ordinance.

Ms. Magariel, a member of the City's Environmental Commission,  presented on the Water Sustainability and Conservation report for Cape May prepared by Columbia University.   The report recommended energy recapture devices were considered for the current desalination infrastructure but deemed infeasible.  She plans to meet with Mr. Dietrich to see if these devices can be installed in the new plant.  The report suggests the devices will reduce electricity usage providing cost savings of $450,000 over the plant’s 30 years lifetime.   Solar has been approved for the new plant - the study suggests Solar will reduce operating costs by approximately $40,000 per year.  The City has 3 wells with 2 being closed and the 3^rd having an increasing intrusion of salt water.  The City is sourcing some of its water from Lower Township at a cost.  Extended discussion was had on the Study’s recommendation for a 3-tier rate structure for water: essentially standard, extra use, and excessive use.   This discussion tied into the rate increase discussion with Mr. Dietrich.  It was mentioned that many commercial properties in the City have multiple meters/water accounts which could make it hard to track aggregate use by each property.  Questions were raised concerning the City’s compliance with water conservation.  Mr. Rauch asked if City vehicles could have door hangers to notify property owners of non-compliant lawn watering when observed by City workers. 

The Board agreed to support 1) revisiting the Ordinance to assure it is current with today's concerns; 2) asking the City to implement and educational campaign on water use/ conservation; 3) asking the City to improve enforcement of the Ordinance, including the potential to hire a seasonal enforcement officer; and 4) supporting a tiered rate system for water use beyond the standard level.

Ms. Sheehan gave the Treasurer's report stating the Association has $10,966 in its checking account and $25,955 in a certificate of deposit that is maturing.  It was agreed that she should renew the CD for 4 month at an annual interest rate around 3.8%. 

The website review team (Ms. Trificante and Mr. Stepanuk) updated the Board on the website giving a summary of 3 proposals reviewed and recommended staying with Cape Graphics, the current web provider.  There was discussion on an electronic dues paying option, and it was decided the cost/reward was not worth implementing at this time.  Ms. Sheehan raised concerns about the vendor's responsiveness and Mr. Crowley asked about the membership form.   The President asked the Team to work with Ms. Sheehan and Mr. Crowley to address their concerns.

There being no other business, upon motion duly seconded, the meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.