Borough of Bradley Beach Newsletter: April 2023

April 2023

Greetings Bradley Beach-

I hope everyone is enjoying March Madness 🏀🍀.

Happy Spring (if you can believe it- a bit chilly!) I’ll continue to highlight the infrastructure projects going on!

Beachfront

Our Outfall Pipe on Ocean Park/ McCabe Avenue beaches.

This “outfall pipe” delivers Stormwater to the ocean. The replacement project will occur from late April and conclude before July 1st. We will have to intermittently close the Promenade for short periods of time when we are moving equipment and replacement pipes onto the beach. We ask for your patience and understanding.

Next, completing Phase II of the Sewer project. We are meeting with the engineering team in early April to review the schedule for completion. We have curbing, driveway aprons, and of course- paving on Third and Fourth Avenues. We are pushing to complete it as soon as possible.

Just a reminder, we are starting the joint project with Ocean Grove, our partners on the Fletcher Lake Commission. The walking bridge between our 2 towns will get a needed facelift in April. Thanks to Biaggio (“G”) Cofone from Public Works, Anthony DeMaio (Commission Chair) and Kim Humphrey for developing this project.

The Bradley Beach Fire Department held its semi-annual fish fry Friday- March 31st. This is one of the most unifying events of the year and is enjoyed by hundreds of residents. Thanks to Roy Christenson, Board of Trustees President, for his leadership in this event and much more!

On Sunday, March 26th, the Borough sponsored our first Mediterranean Festival. The event was a big success. There was a combination of local Mediterranean foods, various vendors, and great entertainment for the community to enjoy! Many thanks to Amy Hall, Courtney Pappas and Michele While for their leadership; and to Father Erin Brown and his team for working with us to use their great space at the Parish Center at St Teresa’s!

We had our annual Food Pantry Community Pick-up on March 18th. The best of Bradley Beach came out! The event was run jointly by the Borough and the Bradley Beach Business Community Alliance. We collected 7,500 pounds of food and essential supplies for our neighbors. Kudos!

The Mayor’s Wellness Committee (MWC) applied for “designation” with the NJ Health Care Quality Institute for our first full year-2022. Our Chair, Barb Johnston, along with the Core Team and Steering Committee, have done an outstanding job, as have our residents and visitors for participating in this important health initiative.

Fourteen towns garnered the “Health Town” designation- congratulations- particularly to our neighbors in Bay Head, Asbury Park, and Freehold Borough. They brought home the GOLD. Bradley Beach was among 17 towns with the “healthy town to watch” designation- a silver award.

About the Mayors Wellness Campaign

The Mayors Wellness Campaign is a program of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. The program empowers mayors across New Jersey with evidence-based tools, strategies, and support to champion health and wellness in their communities.

Beach Lockers and beach access improvements

We converted to an on-line system to manage all facets of the locker rental program. This will be much more efficient and give us and residents utility and information we haven’t had previously. In addition, we are enhancing our beach access for the disabled with plans for more access mats, handicap lockers, better load/ unload zones on the street, and piloting improved showers. Stay tuned!

The Bradley Beach Arts Council, led by Julia Rand, is excited to announce their Spring Program- Cats, Cats, and More Cats. It will be a great show- please try to attend!

Earth Day Festival & Green Fair

Our annual Earth Day Festival & Green Fair, sponsored by the Borough, will be held at Riley Park on Saturday, April 22nd from 10-3- please come and enjoy the park, the warm weather, and the many exhibits!

We are also happy to share our 130th Anniversary Plan, celebrating Bradley Beach since 1893 . The Borough, Bradley Beach Business & Community Alliance, and the Bradley Beach Historical Society will recognize our 130th Anniversary and our great town with:

* Celebrating Bradley Beach 1893 Flags on Main Street

* Memorial Day Parade - Saturday 5/27

* 130th Dinner and Music Celebration - Saturday 6/10 by the Gazebo

* Mapping Main Street Historical Exhibit

* Alliance Week 6/24-6/30

This should be a great opportunity to celebrate as a community.

As I mentioned previously, our Business Administrator, Kim Humphrey, will be leaving her position in Bradley Beach to take a position in Keyport. Kim will remain our Qualified Purchasing Agent which provides some continuity. We have hired an interim BA- Mr. Greg Fehrenbach, while we are conducting a search for Kim’s replacement. Thanks to Greg and we are making progress on a replacement.

We have a lot to be thankful for here in Bradley Beach, and much to celebrate. We will continue to focus on Service and Progress as a Municipal Team.

Thank you- and see you around town!

Mayor Larry Fox

Updated Recycling/Street Sweeping Schedules

Spring is in the air and the tree buds are finally starting to emerge. The Bradley Beach Shade Tree Commission has named this Yoshino Cherry tree as Tree of the Month for April.

This Cherry tree was planted last Fall in honor of a Bradley Beach resident, Brittany Lynn Pedersen. Brittany loved being part of the Bradley Beach community. Her memorial medallion states, "Her leaves were always changing, but her roots were always home". This tree will live on in Brittany's memory, bringing joy for generations.

This elegantly shaped tree, produces fragrant flowers, which have been famously on display every Spring in Washington, D.C. since 1912. This tree also produces tiny berries, an important food source for birds, including Thrushes and Robins.

The Bradley Beach Shade Tree Commission will be planting Honor Me and Wishing Trees Saturday, April 29th. Please sponsor or sign up for a free tree for your planting strip. Applications are at the Bradley Beach Borough Hall or online.