Ocean City Takes Step to Restore Department of Public Works

Ocean City Council took a step to re-establish the Department of Public Works the way it was set up two years ago on Thursday night.

Two years ago, the City combined the Department of Services with the Department of Community Operations.

Last year, the City re-established the Department of Community Services.

At Thursday night’s meeting at City Hall, Ocean City Council passed an ordinance on introduction that eliminates the Department of Community Operations, reinstates the Department of Public Works and incorporates the duties of the former Former Department of Community Operations into other departments.

The ordinance was approved with a 6-0 vote. Councilman Peter Guinosso abstained. The second reading and public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.

The ordinance restores the Department of Public Works to the core divisions that existed prior to the establishment of the Department of Community Operations.

Engineering will return to Administration, along with Planning and Zoning administration. Several community facing divisions will return to Community Services. This includes licensing, construction code and neighborhood and social services.

There are no layoffs associated with the restructuring, and once approved, the City would likely seek to fill a leadership position for the Department of Public Works, City Business Administrator Jim Mallon said.

City Council also approved an ordinance that calls for an easement in, on, over and across 719 Tenth Street for New Jersey American Water.

This is so the water company can replace an old water main that runs underneath the Boardwalk in the Tenth Street area, and services private businesses on the Boardwalk.

A private residence will benefit from the work, but the work will benefit the city’s overall drainage system, City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson said.

The work is scheduled for the off-season in the motel zone, so there should be very little impact on residents, according to the administration.

This ordinance was approved with a 6-0 vote. Council Vice President Michael Allegretto wasn’t present for this specific vote.

The second reading and public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.