Dear Friends,City Council last night approved four planning documents related to our flood mitigation and outreach efforts. These are requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS). Ocean City will be reviewed by the CRS program in December. We anticipate increasing our rating by one level and possibly two. That would mean an additional 5 or 10 percent discount for almost all flood insurance policy holders. I will provide further updates as this review process continues. Council also approved a shared services agreement with the Ocean City Housing Authority, which operates under the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The agreement is a preliminary document that forms a partnership in expanding housing opportunities for low-income residents at existing complexes along Fourth Street and Sixth Street. The agreement also marks the continuation of our efforts to meet affordable housing obligations that were outlined in a settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center this summer. In the coming months and years, you will hear more as we work to make Ocean City affordable for all our year-round residents.I want to remind everybody that the Ocean City Fire Department’s Open House has been rescheduled for this evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the headquarters at 550 Asbury Avenue. The entire community is invited to this event, which coincides with national Fire Prevention Month and gives the community a chance to learn more about how our fire and police departments work and to enjoy demonstrations like a live burn and a helicopter landing.
If you haven’t made it to the new Chili Chowder Fest in the past two years, you should check out the third annual event on Sunday at the Music Pier. Ocean City’s restaurants will be cooking their finest chilis and chowders from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Earlier on Sunday, thousands will participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on the boardwalk. See more information on how to participate. On Saturday, we’ll welcome the Ocean City NJ Jeep Invasion with vehicles on display on the boardwalk between Fifth Street and 14th Street.I hope you all have a great weekend.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
