Dear Friends,All paving for the road and drainage project south of 55th Street is expected to be complete by next Friday. That will end the season for our spring road improvements. Work on new project areas will resume after Labor Day as we continue our aggressive capital improvement plan. The major sewer line clog that closed the restrooms at 34th Street Beach last weekend has been repaired. The facilities will be open for the weekend. City crews made forms this week for a new concrete pad to accommodate more bicycle racks at the Surf Road Beach entrance. Until the additional racks are in place, please do not lock bicycles to the handrails of the new handicapped-accessible ramp there.Work to elevate a final portion of the north side of the Bayside Center grounds will be completed next week along with the placement of permeable pavers for the boat ramp approach.Ocean City is in the running once again for “New Jersey’s Favorite Beach” in the annual contest sponsored by the N.J. Sea Grant Consortium. We’ve won the contest five years in a row, and I encourage everybody to vote right now by clicking here . The contest is designed “to inspire pride in and stewardship of New Jersey’s beaches.”
I want to thank our local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 81 for its generous donation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to be ready for use outside the Ocean City Music Pier. Public Affairs Officer Bob Babezki and Human Resources Staff Officer Warren Iredell made a presentation to the city during the Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony last Friday.If you’re reading this message on Friday afternoon, there is still time to purchase your 2019 seasonal beach tags at the discounted $20. The price goes up to $25 on Saturday. Visit www.ocnj.us/beachtags for information on how to purchase them.Michele and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Catharine Adams, who passed away last weekend at age 90. Cathy was a special person in Ocean City. She was always committed to church, community and family. Her legacy will live on through her seven children and 25 grandchildren and in many other ways. I hope you all will join me in paying tribute to a life well-lived.Michele and I also would like to congratulate George and Rose Savastano on the marriage today of their daughter, Amy, to Vaughn Krynock. We wish Amy and Vaughn much health, happiness and prosperity in the years ahead.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
