The history of the transfer of Strathmere from Sea Isle City to Upper Township was researched and the following information was found in records and minutes.

Transfer of Strathmere to Upper Township in 1905

Upper Township's records confirm that Strathmere was transferred to Upper in 1905.  However, the vehicle for the transfer was not local action, but, rather it appears to be a legislative enactment.  The Upper Township Committee simply acted in accordance with the State Act directing the transfer and apportionment of debt. 

After the legislative enactment directed the transfer, Upper Township and Sea Isle followed the requirements of the law to "apportion the indebtedness" of the sending municipality.

Hence, it appears, rather than being the "purpose" for the transfer, as claimed on Upper Township's website, the debt apportionment was simply a ministerial requirement of it.  Therefore, any perception created by the website that Sea Isle wanted to "sell" Strathmere to sell debt, appears to be wrong.  In fact, the "price" paid for Strathmere is a lot lower than the website claims.

Although the website writer states the debt transferred to Upper for Strathmere was $31,500.00, upon close reading of the Township minutes it is clear that amount ($31,500.00) is a reference to the entire indebtedness of Sea Isle City.  Meanwhile, the amount appointed to Strathmere and transferred to Upper, was only $935.00.  Therefore, this suggests the purpose of the transfer of Strathmere to Upper was not to adjust or assist with the debt of Sea Isle City, since it only reduced their debt by a couple of percentage points.  Unfortunately, the purpose for the transfer has not been determined through the research.

February 7, 1905, Upper Township governing body passed a resolution to "approve and sanction the passage of the Act of the Legislature....annexing to Upper Township, that portion of the borough of Sea Isle City..........."  (Upper minutes)

April 5, 1905, the Legislature passed Public Laws 59 and 113, which established the boundaries of Upper Township and Sea Isle City, designating the area of Ludlam's Beach/Ludlam's Island, now known as Strathmere, as part of Upper Township.  (Public Law 113 from 1905)

May 16, 1905, a meeting of the committees appointed by Sea Isle City and Upper Township appointed committees to determine the fair share of Sea Isle's bonded indebtedness to be apportioned to Strathmere, to be taken on by Upper Township.  (Upper Minutes)

May 22, 1905, the Committees of Upper and Sea Isle ascertained the value of property in Sea Isle (exclusive of Strathmere) to be $525,111.00; the value of the property in Strathmere to be $16,041.00; the total bonded indebtedness of Sea Isle to be $31,500.00; allotting $30,564,55 to the remainder of Sea Isle and $935.45 to Strathmere, to be taken on by Upper.  (Upper Minutes)

June 1, 1905, Upper Township accepted the committee report to take on a portion of Sea Isle's bonded indebtedness.  (Upper Minutes)