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Proven Leadership. Council talked about the Township’s record of low taxes, responsive government, infrastructure investment, and community services. Recent survey by the Cape May County Herald showed that Lower Township has the 19th-lowest average tax bill among New Jersey’s 565 municipalities and the second lowest in Cape May County. This year’s municipal budget included no tax-rate increase. See Article Here
Shared Municipal Court. The Township is exploring shared municipal court services with Middle Township and Wildwood Crest, which would potentially save approximately $200,000 annually. This is yet another example of the type of common-sense Council has taken to keep taxes flat year-after-year.
Youth and Recreation Programs. Recent recreational programs included completed pickleball courts, police youth camp that focuses on connecting with troubled youth, and two summer camps that are in line with the most affordable camps in the County, and the Children's Fund Fundraiser Concert drew roughly 4,600 people and raised more than $10,000 for the Lower Township Children's Fund.
Infrastructure. Infrastructure work continues throughout the Township. Fourteen engineering projects are underway, including Rotary Park improvements, the Village Road outfall project, and phased water-line upgrades in the Town Bank area. The Municipal Utilities Authority also highlighted expanded sewer service, a new airport generator, and plans to extend water service near the new
public works building.
School Districts. School Board members reported encouraging enrollment and extracurricular participation despite continuing funding pressures. Lower Cape May Regional welcomed its first enrollment increase in six years, and six students recently graduated with associate degrees through its dual-enrollment partnership. Elementary schools are also rehiring approximately 15 positions and preparing to introduce a reading curriculum aligned with current literacy research after fierce work with State budget cuts currently affecting every town in county. It was reported there is a focus on ensuring that the new curriculum contains age-appropriate material.
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