May consider switching health insurance plans
LONGPORT – The Borough may soon be auctioning off some of its historic street signs that are being replaced because they no longer comply with street sign regulations of the NJ Department of Transportation.
Mayor Nicholas Russo brought one of the historic blue and white street signs to the Aug. 21 Board of Commissioners meeting to announce that local residents will soon be able to purchase the signs on an online auction.
There are several signs that have already been removed and replaced with compliant signs and are being held in temporary storage until an auction can be held.
“There’s a lot of them,” Mayor Nicholas Russo said.
Additional signs will become available as they are replaced over the coming months and years.
“They are expensive to replace,” Chief Financial Officer Jenna Kelly said. “Therefore, the borough will gradually replace them each year.”
“These signs are very old, they are heavy duty cast iron. They have been repainted by Public Works over the years,” Russo said. “They are great signs, but today, they are now illegal because they are not reflectorized.”
Russo said any citizen interested in getting one of them will be able to purchase them at auction on GovDeals.com, which would generate some revenue for the borough.
“People have showed interest in them,” he said. “I think you will be surprised.”
The signs can be used as decorative arts for backyards, rec-rooms or garages.
Solicitor Michael Affanato said he would prepare a resolution for the next meeting on Sept. 18 to allow the borough to advertise the auction.
The auction will have a minimum bid amount, which can be challenged by other bidders over a week-long period.
The auction will likely begin in October, Kelly said.
Additionally, Commissioner Dan Lawler suggested the borough follow neighboring Margate’s lead and install street signs on the beach to let people know where they are when they are on the beach side of the dune.
Fire Chief Levon “Lefty” Clayton supported the idea of noting numbered avenues for public safety reasons.
“In winter season, if there is an emergency, someone with a cell phone will look around and go, ‘What street am I at?’” he said. “They should be on the beach side if there is an emergency. If they call 911, they can look and say, ‘I’m near 30th Avenue.”
In other business, the board will consider switching health insurance providers and notify employees of the the plan to find a new company to provide health insurance benefits. The borough currently participates in the State Health Benefits Plan, which has projected a 16% increase in premiums for next year.
Administrator A. Scott Porter said switching to a different provider could save on the cost of health care benefits. The SHBP has had a 50% increase in premiums over the last five years, he said.
Commission candidate Patrick Armstong, who is deputy fire chief in neighboring Margate, said that city made the switch a few months ago and the Margate employees are satisfied that the new plan selected is equal to or better than the state plan.
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