Dear Friends,I have heard reports from a lot of residents, guests and merchants that our gull program appears to be working. People say they are grateful to be able to stroll the boardwalk and beach across the entire island without fear of gulls swooping down to steal food.Our newest city team members — falcons, hawks and an owl — appear to be doing their job in holding the gulls at bay. We will continue to monitor the program in the next two weeks. If it continues to be successful, we will bring it back for next summer. Any investment that can protect the quality of life for our residents and guests is worthwhile.There has been a lot of interest among the public in seeing the raptors at work. Representatives of East Coast Falcons will be on the boardwalk in front of the Ocean City Music Pier daily to let the public meet the birds who are patrolling the boardwalk and beach.The team will be available every day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., except on Thursday (Family Night on the Ocean City Boardwalk), when they will be there 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will continue through Labor Day on Sept. 2.
The Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority will host an information session and Q&A regarding their project to replace/rehabilitate its wastewater pipeline underground along the county’s stretch of Bay Avenue between Eighth Street and 31st Street.The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 17) at the Howard Stainton Senior Center within the Ocean City Community Center at 18th Street and Simpson Avenue. I encourage all residents and everybody who travels this stretch of Bay Avenue to attend. Work will begin after Labor Day and will require detours throughout the off-season.It’s hard to believe, but Labor Day Weekend will be here in just two weeks. We have a great lineup of events throughout the fall, but I hope families can take advantage of all that summer has to offer while it lasts. With many lifeguards already heading back to school, the Ocean City Beach Patrol will no longer guard some beaches for the remainder of the season. Please see the complete list of guarded beaches.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
