Dear Friends,
Today is the ninth anniversary of the day Superstorm Sandy hit Ocean City, and coastal flood warnings remain in effect through 9 p.m. as a strong nor’easter passes through the region. I want to encourage everybody to stay safe and limit travel – particularly in the hours around 3 p.m. when the tides will be highest.
Storms like today’s are a reminder that while we have come far in our flood mitigation efforts, we still have a long way to go. I can assure you that the city remains committed to addressing flooding issues in every part of town. We continue to follow a comprehensive flood mitigation plan as we work toward this goal.
In the meantime, here are some tools available to anybody interested in learning more about how to anticipate flooding events and make preparations. The city also provides notifications as a courtesy to residents and property owners, and you can sign up here: www.ocnj.us/AlertMe.
We are planning a neighborhood meeting to update residents on plans for a flood mitigation project for West 17th Street. The work is being coordinated with utility company upgrades, and representatives of New Jersey American Water and South Jersey Gas also will be part of the presentation.
The meeting will be held in the Senior Center within the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue) at 11 a.m. Nov. 13. All the public is invited to attend in person. Residents also will be able to participate remotely via Zoom. Details on how to participate are available here.
The city learned yesterday that we received a $180,000 N.J. Department of Transportation grant to make improvements to West Avenue from North Street to Ninth Street. This grant will help us elevate and pave all parts of West Avenue that were not completed during the north end neighborhood pumping station project.
Starting on Monday (Nov. 1), there may be lane shifts or closures on 34th Street between West Avenue and Asbury Avenue as a New Jersey American Water contractor digs test pits in advance of work on wastewater lines.
On Thursday (Nov. 4), that block will be closed to all traffic as the improvements are made. The closure will be in effect 24 hours a day and may remain in place for several days. Detours will be in effect. Please plan alternative routes and use caution in that area.
We were fortunate to have a break in the weather for last night’s Halloween Parade, and I want to thank the Ocean City Exchange Club for putting on a spectacular event. It was wonderful to see so many people lining the parade route, and so many great entries in the parade. We have announced winners in our second annual Halloween House Decorating Contest. The complete list of contest entrants and winners is available at www.ocnj.us/halloween.
As we did with the recent Ocean City High School Homecoming Dance, we were able to work with the school district to provide a location for an Ocean City Intermediate School dance tonight at the newly renovated Civic Center.
I hope all of the young students have a fun evening, and it’s a pleasure to work in partnership with the schools. I’d like to thank Interim Superintendent Tom Baruffi and his administrative team and all of the PTA volunteers who worked so hard to make this event happen.
The press box at the city’s Carey Stadium will be named tomorrow in honor of Tom Williams. Williams has served Ocean City and all of southern New Jersey for more than six decades as a sportswriter, broadcaster, webmaster, statistician, event organizer, and the ultimate fan of high school sports.
I’m proud to be able to help make this happen, and I hope you join me in congratulating Tom and in wishing good luck to the Ocean City High School Red Raiders football team, who will be trying to continue an undefeated season in a noon game against Williamstown.
Trick-or-treating hours will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Free door hangers are available to identify every home that will put out treats.
They can be picked up at City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue), the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue) or the Welcome Center on the Ninth Street causeway. A printable version is available here. I hope everybody has a Happy Halloween.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
