BIG NEWS Community Project funding secured by Bradley Beach- $1,416,279!

We now have a compelling reason to get going.

Last fall, we worked with Senator Booker and Congressman Pallone’s respective staffs on 2 Community Funding Projects- one was for Sylvan Lake improvements and the other Main Street improvements- an application that followed planning work previously done.  Improvements like brick pavers, streetlights, tree wells, benches, and corner configurations.  Well, last Friday, after the budget vote passed and was signed, (page 216 of 306), we were awarded $1,416,279!!  Congratulations to the teams that worked on these funding grants!   More to follow.  BIG THANKS TO SENATOR BOOKER AND CONGRESSMAN PALLONE and their STAFFS- great collaboration!!!

We had two very important presentations that tie to the above funding given at the Council meeting on Feb. 14th.  The first was a presentation given by the Bradley Beach Business and Community Alliance (BBBCA) on a brief survey they conducted late last year.  The survey touched on the following areas of Main Street:

CME Inputs:

From that presentation, Ben Matlack of CME provided a refreshed presentation of prior studies and recommendations that have been made that, as of now, have not yet been acted on.  The combination of a prior Rutgers Study and CME recommendations made in 2022 were presented.

I believe this is our time to act on this important part of our community.  Bradley Beach has 2 key “bookends- our Priceless Beachfront and our Main Street.  Between these 2 bookends are the 4,000+ stories that comprise our home town.  Hopefully we’ll get to work on a plan to improve Main Street!

Our Unused Asset and Boardwalk Restoration grants has been added to:

We are on a positive funding “roll” in the last 6 months- between the Unused Asset grant, the Boardwalk Preservation grant, the County grants for parks, and now this wonderful news- we have exceeded $6 million dollars in assistance for our Community to improve. The “bookends” of the beach and Main Street ------- our beach is the priceless asset we are responsible to maintain and improve, and our Main Street is our “401k”- we invest in it and over time we receive great returns to our community!  

Update- the Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) exciting news!!!  Acupuncture

The Bradley Beach Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) continued its new series, “Zooming for Wellness” last evening with the spotlight on Alaethia Doctor of WellPoints, acupuncturist and stress management expert. She will discuss the general principles of acupuncture and include in her presentation a hands-on demonstration exploring EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) which uses acupuncture points for anxiety and stress relief.   The event was well intended and Alaethia did a great job.

The Bradley Beach Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) will continue this new series, “Zooming for Wellness” with three more interactive programs offering an opportunity to hear experts on timely issues. 

Please join us for upcoming programs: 

• Coping with Stress, on Thursday, March 28 
• Protecting Yourself Against Scammers, on Thursday, April 4 
• Conversation of your life - Thursday April 11th 

Thanks to our MWC steering committee and their committed efforts for all the residents of our borough who join with us and participate in our programs.  Working to bring people together is the pathway to make us and our community healthier in body, mind and spirit.  I am so, so thankful and grateful to our community.

Our Volunteers are doing it again- Golf Outing for the Bradley Food Pantry!

As many of you may know, the Bradley Food Pantry is on a continued journey to serve those dealing with food insecurity.  They are currently in a search to relocate from their Fourth Avenue site (that they have operated in for 42 years); and are raising funds to help with this significant undertaking.  A TEAM of VOLUNTEERS have taken on the task of raising $30,000 by putting on a Golf Outing.  This is the essence of Bradley Beach- please participate!!!! 

You can also tap this link below- Please support one of the most important enterprises in our community.

bradleyfoodpantry.org/golf

Shade Tree Commission (STC) needs your help!

The STC needs to again engage our fellow residents in their efforts to enhance our quality of life and create a more sustainable future for us all.

On May 4th, there will be the semi-annual tree planting around our town.  We need:

• `Volunteers to participate (just a few hours in the morning)
• We’d like to ask to potentially sponsor an “Honor Me” or “Wishing” tree

Details for each can be found below.  Please participate!

https://www.bradleybeachnj.gov/shade-tree-commission/

under:

Important Information-  hit the links:

Honor Me Program Application

Wishing Tree Program Application

Repeat on  BIG NEWS on COASTAL RESILLIANCE

If you missed the last newsletter- this bears repeating

Last fall, The State announced a $100 million opportunity for coastal communities to apply for grants with the idea of revitalizing existing boardwalks and increasing storm resiliency.  We have had a vision for years (part of our Master Plan) to “finish” our Promenade that currently stretches from the north part of town south and ends at Third Avenue.  When the opportunity was announced, we were ready to respond with a grant application.  After discussion with the Governor’s office to understand and educate each other, our Acting Business Administrator- Meredith DeMarco, and our Borough Engineer, Ben Matlack, got to work and completed the application.  Now the really hard work starts- planning, resident input, working with the Dept. Of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Army Corp of Engineers, etc., etc., etc.!  Exciting!

A few other points on the Boardwalk Preservation Fund.  First- thank you Governor Murphy for including it in the 2024 state budget!  Of the 40 Jersey Shore communities, 18 were awarded grant money.  Our neighbor, Asbury Park, along with Atlantic City, topped the list with $20 million dollar grants- congratulations.  Bradley Beach faired VERY WELL – with a $4.275 million dollar award.  To be clear, we expect this project to exceed that amount.  We will probably have to bond the balance; but the investment in the safety and resilience of our town is essential.  More to come!

We will continue to focus on Service and Progress as a Municipal Team.

Thanks, and see you around town.          

Mayor Larry Fox