Dear Friends,
Today is Juneteenth, and the fourth annual celebration of Ocean City’s African American community likely would have been this weekend. The event will not be held this year, but I would like to thank the organizers – Brittany Battle, Joshua Baker and Takiya Wilson – for their continued contributions in preserving the historical legacy of the diverse communities that make up Ocean City.
Summer officially arrives tomorrow, and as our seasonal population increases, I want to remind everybody of the importance of self-responsibility. The city is doing its best to promote awareness, to provide equipment and to enforce what we can. But ultimately it comes down to you. I want to ask everybody to do their part to protect the health and safety of the entire community. I know it can be uncomfortable and an inconvenience, but I would like to see a lot more face coverings – in crowded spaces outside and in all public spaces inside.
Complimentary face coverings are available at the Ocean City Music Pier and at all city welcome centers. They also will be made available at city events this summer. Please make it a habit to always have one on hand and to use it.
I also want to make it clear that drinking alcohol and smoking on the beach and boardwalk will not be tolerated. Please help us enforce these laws by reporting violations as they occur – use the non-emergency police number at 609-399-9111.
The city continues to work with local restaurants and stores to make accommodations allowing them to safely do business under ongoing restrictions from the governor. I want to remind businesses that it is their responsibility to clear all trash from the many new outdoor dining spaces.
The dredge that will bring more than 1.6 million cubic yards of sand to our north end beaches is completing prep work and repairs in Norfolk, Va., and will be tested this weekend. If all goes well, the dredge will be towed to Ocean City next week and work will begin on June 27. Once the dredge arrives, we will be able to post a projected timeline and daily updates to ocnj.us/projectupdate. Anybody can follow the same link to sign up to receive updates by email.
The next City Council meeting and budget hearing will be held on Thursday, June 25, at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center within the Ocean City Community Center (18th Street and Simpson Avenue). The public is invited to attend or to participate via teleconferencing software. The larger space at the Senior Center will allow for social distancing, and face coverings will be required. The agenda and details on how to call in will be posted here when they become available.
The Ocean City Free Public Library will open for curbside pickup on Monday (June 22), and guidelines and FAQ are here.
I want to remind residents on the 5500 blocks of Simpson and Haven avenues that an emergency repair to the sewer main under the Simpson/Haven alley will begin on Monday. A temporary repair was recently completed, but New Jersey American Water has determined that a more extensive repair is necessary.
The utility company’s contractor is asking residents to park in front of their homes on Simpson or Haven avenues, and the city will arrange to have trash and recycling picked up on these streets as well. NJAW wants to thank you for your patience and understanding while they complete this emergency project.
Michele and I would like to wish my dad a happy Father’s Day, and I hope that all the other dads in town get to enjoy their special day with family and friends.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
