Since our recent funding award of $1,416,279, we have begun to assess a path forward.  A small team of seven people (Main Street businesses, residents, professionals, Council members) met and established initial criteria and a path forward.  We plan on a few more sessions, then complete a recommendation.  Stay tuned!

Sorry for the level of detail above! I wanted to update you on the 2024 budget process. My message is that we have worked very hard to keep our taxes down this year. 

We are still proposing a 3.74% increase in our municipal levy. We introduced the budget again at the Wednesday Council meeting, and it was unfortunately voted down, 2-1. I requested that the Council make recommendations for changes (which they haven’t to date, or vote for the introduction. We’ll regroup and hopefully move forward; in that we have a lot to accomplish in 2024. We feel good about the budget and the focus we have on it. To put it in perspective, our CFO, Mr. Ricky Gartz, conveyed that this municipal budget will translate to an average $135 increase per household. A total tax increase would be about $329 per household, on average.

   Beach Sweep last Saturday

Our Bradley Beach Environmental Commission again teamed up with the Clean Ocean Action group and held their semi-annual beach sweep.  Rona Parker (BBEC) took the lead, and we had great participation and results!!  Thanks to all 

DARE graduation

On Tuesday, I had the honor of joining BB Police members at the 5th grade graduation from the DARE program.  Sergeant Josephine Celauro has been the leader of the very successful program.  The celebration was attended by many of the parents and families of the graduates- a really  enjoyable ceremony!

Update- Mayors Wellness Campaign 

The Mayors Wellness Campaign participated in the Earth Day Festival and Green Fair this past Saturday.  The event was a big success and thanks to the entire team that pulled this “Spring kick-off” event!

Very tough news- Bradley Food Pantry (BBFP)!

I have often said that the Bradley Food Pantry is the most important enterprise in Bradley Beach.  For 42 years, the BBFP has been on a continued journey to serve those dealing with food insecurity.  They are currently in a search to relocate from their Fourth Avenue site.  The Board of Trustees has decided that the Bradley Food

Pantry will cease operations at the current location as of May 17.  Why- St. James Episcopal Church as well as some of the neighbors have increasingly different

viewpoints with respect to the Pantry and its mission, which became increasingly more difficult for the BBFP team.  Very sad to see this happen.  We are working on a temporary solution to support the 750 families and 175 volunteers.

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

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

Thanks, and see you around town.        

Mayor Larry Fox