[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6054949,"mediaKeyId","3328626-9e015ea7da2d796281d49d5eeb149cf4","parentId",3328626,"title","Somers Point adopts annual boat-ramp permits, expands trailer-parking rules after public debate","audioSeconds",2780,"startMs",952000,"endMs",3732000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3328626-9e015ea7da2d796281d49d5eeb149cf4&start=952&end=3732","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3328626-9e015ea7da2d796281d49d5eeb149cf4/thumbnail_952000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6054949/Somers-Point/Atlantic-County/New-Jersey/Somers-Point-adopts-annual-boat-ramp-permits-expands-trailer-parking-rules-after-public-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054949-7e01ed3a43adceae2e9d9014abca3c6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771045855&Signature=FkthxUxI90127moVAhql2AgR7bseqj53Jm3gsbHqfMCBztA631OXVl2vVvNltMUDeHK0Kme8GfSp6l662P-TW4FvoqF2JfaRvQpb0K0CggMUAYEDguaSwfsrqggDWtzzDf59z1cNUuruIn39BC-alCi55wX6PIFUI9tZNJpLiDPoucGSn9PplWsX6gVS-p88xHWOjEsylysMeSNEw7LlsQ6gmA1s~n0OMQTi4zCJnD9jGToP3yEHEaapZEvBpPgqnrjzmbpPNX1NAN7odaK4eSusJeme84Md2VOlrdC0a7Fggqk-fbn59QdskB68grbyEb-xUrxkxdjtPgAjfAhBKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Somers Point New Jersey","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Somers Point City Council on voice votes adopted two ordinances and a companion resolution that change how boat launches and trailer parking near the ramps are regulated and set 2025 fees.

The measures — Ordinance No. 9 of 2025 and Ordinance No. 10 of 2025 plus Resolution No. 106 of 2025 — add the Route 52 launch to the city’s boat-ramp code, require annual permits for trailers parked near designated ramps, and create an annual permit-fee schedule. Resolution 106 sets 2025 fees at $75 for veterans and Somers Point residents, $150 for nonresidents and $500 for commercial operations (covers up to four annual commercial permits).

Why it matters: The ordinances change longstanding local practice by moving from a seasonal launching-fee period to a year-long permit system, and by adding trailer-permit requirements for specific streets near boat ramps. Council members and city staff said the changes aim to give code enforcement and police a clearer mechanism to address trailers left near ramps for extended periods, especially on busy summer weekends.

What the ordinances do: City solicitor Tom Smith told the council Ordinance 9 amends the code governing watercraft-launching fees (chapter 199, sections 199-7 and 199-8) to remove the prior seasonal limitation and to add the Route 52 ramp (referred to in the record as the “Route 52 Bridal” ramp) to the list of regulated launches. \"We did away with that [seasonal limitation],\" Smith said, \"… so there'll be a year. It'll start on a date and end on a date. So all year when you buy a decal or permit for the boat ramps, that'll last for a 12 month period of time.\" Ordinance 10 amends chapter 250 (vehicles and traffic) section 250-43.1 to expand that provision from only boat trailers to \"any other type of trailer\" and to require an attached sticker evidencing a permit for trailers parked on certain streets.

Streets and permit placement: The council listed streets covered by the trailer-permit requirement as Broadway, Bay Avenue, the Route 52 ramp area, George Street, Annie Avenue and Summers Avenue. City staff said the permit decal will be placed on the driver’s-side rear fender (visible when parked).

Fees and administration: Resolution 106 establishes the 2025 fee schedule: $75 annual permit for veterans and Somers Point residents, $150 for nonresidents, and $500 for commercial entities (the commercial fee entitles an operator to up to four annual permits). The resolution also provides that anyone who has already purchased a 2025 gate fob or permit for the city’s gate system will receive a credit toward the new fee.

Public response and council clarifications: The public portion drew lengthy comment from boat owners, marinas and longtime residents. Bill Collins (814 Bay Avenue) asked for details about the spending in other bond ordinances on the agenda. Residents raised concerns about how the permit system will affect people who need to use ramps early in the morning or for single-day launches, and some worried about selective enforcement. Patricia Pearson (587 Marks Road) and other speakers asked for plain-English explanations of the new rules; Smith answered several procedural questions in the meeting. Smith and council members said the council can amend the fee schedule or refine enforcement practices later.

Business concerns: Curtis Dilkes of Smith Marine described how commercial marinas routinely receive boats, work on them in yard space and then return them to customers. He and other business representatives warned that routine, short-term parking of customer trailers is common and said enforcement should be complaint-driven so as not to disrupt marina operations.

Enforcement and next steps: City staff said enforcement will be complaint-driven and may involve both code enforcement and police; council members repeatedly said the city lacks dedicated personnel to proactively patrol trailers and will rely on residents’ complaints. Staff said stickers and signage should be available before the summer season, with a target to have permits available around May 1, 2025; the resolution is limited to the 2025 permit year and can be amended by future council action.

Outcome: Council adopted Ordinance 9, Ordinance 10 and Resolution 106 by voice votes with no recorded opposition in the meeting record. Several council members noted they could be recusing themselves on related votes (recusals were stated during the public discussion), and staff confirmed the measures can be adjusted administratively or by further ordinance in future meetings.

Looking ahead: Council members asked staff to publicize the permit purchase process and to consider making commercial permits visually distinct from residential stickers. Staff also said they are exploring short-term (daily) permit options but that none was in effect for 2025.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somers Point City Council Meeting 2025-04-11","oneSentenceSummary","The Somers Point City Council on voice votes adopted two ordinances and a companion resolution that change how boat launches and trailer parking near the ramps are regulated and set 2025 fees.","taxTitle","Somers Point, Atlantic County, New Jersey","taxId",57488,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6054939,"Somers Point council proclaims April National Autism Acceptance Month after Shore Medical Center presentation",271,3854000,4125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3328626-9e015ea7da2d796281d49d5eeb149cf4&start=3854&end=4125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3328626-9e015ea7da2d796281d49d5eeb149cf4/thumbnail_3854000.jpg","/articles/6054939/Somers-Point/Atlantic-County/New-Jersey/Somers-Point-council-proclaims-April-National-Autism-Acceptance-Month-after-Shore-Medical-Center-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054939-8a7ba3528251a12964f4b2c63e757752/orig.mp4?Expires=1771045855&Signature=F14ngG9hwTgly8lScdrXvee03MU9WwzZ2XC2L9sGifCJYJ7~Mt2MAK3NeQhORBJ68uMe2Epti59zTnzjT42OOBAglnzMISRjyF-0oV2gZIgl4tSOZLshM3UB0Q76dxKA94-kE8Zvo1hxbOh6Kb6WeIa3BtbRuaRJyMPSFDwdvL2K84B9klasq-M1Js5XEc~8Aip~em8KYxzBMg6lpibodk~XOOxtfCVkiHkusjOuJ3C1bj16o~j6zk2B7KYjXpFu2-limJTCKw3DZqivbE6Tj0f3-B-m61WgQd~KRKkgqWPCP1Bkh61DfM6~xbLGbQzoYyuL2c8WcQ1HaAGW5PTgYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somers Point City Council on voice vote approved Resolution No. 109 of 2025 recognizing April as National Autism Acceptance Month after a presentation from Shore Medical Center about services for people with sensory needs.

Bob Robertson, representing Shore Medical Center, told the council the hospital opened an inpatient pediatric sensory room in February 2021 and is now expanding services to include an outpatient sensory-treatment room with scheduled visits (launching April 28) and a hard-walled sensory space planned for the adult emergency department. Robertson described features such as communication tools, video and sound machines, sensory toys and weighted blankets intended to calm patients during procedures such as blood draws.

\"For a person with sensory difficulties, [a hospital visit] is traumatic and it's terrifying,\" Robertson said. He said Shore’s pediatric sensory room has been a \"tremendous success\" and that the new initiatives will offer scheduled outpatient visits and a calmer environment in the adult ED, funded in part through a grant from the Philadelphia Eagles.

The council read and adopted the resolution, which cites CDC prevalence estimates and encourages residents and organizations to promote inclusion and acceptance. Council members praised Shore Medical Center’s initiatives and said the resolution aims to raise awareness and acceptance in community settings such as schools and workplaces.

Outcome: Resolution No. 109 of 2025 was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Shore Medical Center encouraged the city to publicize the outpatient launch and said staff would share informational materials with the public.

","Council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing April as National Autism Acceptance Month after Shore Medical Center staff described pediatric and adult sensory rooms and planned outpatient services intended to ease hospital visits for people with sensory needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6054944,"Votes at a glance: Somers Point council adopts bond ordinances, equipment purchases and personnel hires",0,756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3328626-9e015ea7da2d796281d49d5eeb149cf4&start=756&end=756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3328626-9e015ea7da2d796281d49d5eeb149cf4/thumbnail_756000.jpg","/articles/6054944/Somers-Point/Atlantic-County/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-Somers-Point-council-adopts-bond-ordinances-equipment-purchases-and-personnel-hires","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6054944-f0ac96249d92c650ee4f7ab832bf7780/orig.mp4?Expires=1771045855&Signature=kL6QiAYEtZi~bBWa22Zx0BYTDjEUJ59y1EXmFQtZL4bIu7M-S61DL8RkUAXraAOQVlcWvZDmJvynNjD5eKDhnramLXTZzrGZ8NY5p24Sfba2w5pzQ8KDZ5o5K~5iX4MPDDm-kjXJ91C6fHefWOTNWEg~y4iJebn8-iqXhEvrc3Q7MU7UC0vPMSR8w3IT3nxwbuDgTmm9FuldDFAj6sH1iKVzc69TixdbdssjlvM9FU6AyBvSGh370Mf74maGpXQcxt-Op0wc7fSVd~w9HpEHMWFJKgJYAbQJGzrqYyf9sNbXSruF2RwldtVWGibs1huFCyFwl5-SyOjyFx~jibw9VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somers Point City Council on voice votes approved multiple ordinances and resolutions during a meeting that included public remarks on boat-ramp and trailer rules.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 7 of 2025 (bond ordinance authorizing $3,479,455, of which $3,305,455 will be financed by bonds or notes for various capital improvements) — adopted on second reading by voice vote. A member of the public asked for a breakdown of the spending: \"We're spending almost 3 and a half million dollars. Can someone go through what you're spending it on, please?\" (Bill Collins, 814 Bay Avenue).

- Ordinance No. 8 of 2025 (bond ordinance appropriating $1,605,600 for sewer utility capital improvements) — adopted on second reading by voice vote.

- Ordinance No. 9 of 2025 (amending chapter 199 to add the Route 52 ramp and change watercraft-launching fees to an annual permit system) — adopted on second reading by voice vote (see separate coverage for public comment and details).

- Ordinance No. 10 of 2025 (amending chapter 250 §250-43.1 to expand parking restrictions to trailers of any type and require permit stickers on specified streets) — adopted on second reading by voice vote (see separate coverage for public comment and details).

- Resolution No. 104 of 2025 (authorizing purchase on state contract of law-enforcement firearms equipment and supplies) — approved by voice vote.

- Resolution No. 105 of 2025 (authorizing executive session under attorney-client privilege regarding potential development negotiations for property at 939 Bay Avenue) — approved; council entered executive session and indicated no action was anticipated on return to open session.

- Resolution No. 106 of 2025 (setting 2025 fees for Somers Point boat ramps: residents/veterans $75; nonresidents $150; commercial entities $500 for up to four annual permits) — approved by voice vote.

- Resolution No. 107 of 2025 (hiring Kate McKenzie as part-time recreation board secretary) — approved by voice vote.

- Resolution No. 109 of 2025 (recognizing April as National Autism Acceptance Month) — approved by voice vote after a presentation from Shore Medical Center about sensory rooms and services.

Pulled items

- Ordinance No. 11 and Resolutions No. 108 and 110 were pulled from the agenda for further work and will return to a future meeting. Staff said the items were pulled because supporting materials were incomplete.

Voting notes

Most roll-call references and final votes were recorded as voice votes with \"Aye\" and no recorded opposed votes in the meeting record. The council also recorded recusal(s) by at least one member on matters tied to ramp/permit business during the discussion; the meeting record shows recusal statements made before votes were taken.

Process notes

The clerk read ordinance and resolution texts aloud at second reading and before votes. Where members of the public asked for plain-English explanations, city solicitor Tom Smith and staff responded in the meeting. Council members and staff indicated administrative flexibility to amend the resolution or to change how fees are administered in the future.

","The council approved bond ordinances for capital and sewer projects, adopted ordinances on boat ramps and trailer parking, approved several resolutions including hiring and procurement, and authorized an executive-session item. Several agenda items were pulled for later consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Somers Point adopts annual boat-ramp permits, expands trailer-parking rules after public debate

Somers Point council proclaims April National Autism Acceptance Month after Shore Medical Center presentation

Votes at a glance: Somers Point council adopts bond ordinances, equipment purchases and personnel hires