Dear Friends,The first of four pumping stations in our Fourth Ward neighborhood drainage project was activated earlier this week. These pumps are located underground near the Ocean City Municipal Airport and will benefit streets near the Stainton Wildlife Refuge at the northern end of the project area. Work to complete the other three stations continues. When they go online, residents will begin to see the full benefits of the project.Concrete and paving crews continue to make good progress on the north end drainage project. Concrete work on Sixth Street is nearing completion. The focus of this project will turn to Bay Avenue from First Street to Eighth Street. New Jersey American Water is making upgrades that must be completed before our drainage contractor can install pipes crossing Bay Avenue to outfalls on the bay. Expect detours and plan alternate routes for the next several weeks.Utility companies also are making upgrades at the southern end of the island ahead of a major road and drainage project between 55th Street and 59th Street. The utility work includes the causeway between Ocean City and Strathmere. Please use caution when driving in this area.Another project in its final stages includes stretches of North Street, First Street, Second Street and Third Street between West Avenue and Wesley Avenue.Members of our city’s Green Team and Environmental Commission toured the Cape May County recycling facility this week.
The operations there are impressive with equipment and workers sorting and processing tons of recyclable materials every week. The group came back with a lot of knowledge and one important message from the facility: Don’t take plastic bags to the curb for pickup.Put recyclables directly in the can (and never in a plastic trash bag). Return single-use plastic shopping bags to the grocery store, where effective recycling programs are in place. This small step by residents can help dramatically improve the efficiency of the recycling center and help us be better stewards of the environment. I also want to let you know about three new fact sheets from our Environmental Commission, which works to raise awareness among the community about various ways to preserve the coastal environment we all know and love. See Respect Wild Animals, Run An Energy-Efficient Home and Go Solar. Finally, I want to remind you that the city and Clean Ocean Action are seeking volunteers for our annual fall Beach Sweeps 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 20). Anybody who wants to help clean the beaches is encouraged to register at the Ocean City Music Pier before the event. Volunteers last year removed 373,686 pieces of debris statewide during the event.I also want to welcome to Ocean City all of the participants in this weekend’s Porsche 356 East Coast Holiday. The public can see their classic cars on display on the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.I hope you all have a great weekend.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
