Mayors Wellness walk last week!

We had a great turnout last Saturday; and are continuing to enhance the event at this and future Wellness Walks with a “WALK and TALK”.  At this walk – Armin Shahrokni, MD Chief, Geriatric Service, Jersey Shore University Medical Center discussed  HEALTHY AGING!  Thanks to Hackensack Meridian for being such great partners.

Hackensack supported the Walk & Talk with information, cool giveaways, and support staff.  Pictured with Hackensack support persons are Mayor, Dr. Shahrokni, and Police Chief L. Guida!

Mark your calendar for our remaining 3 Walks & Talks. We are planning to have some additional fun activities for our residents, friends, and visitors!!!

Continuing the theme of Health and Wellness- it’s time to consider 2023-2024 Back to School Immunizations.   The relevant information is in the attached here.

An important topic that affects all of us is drug abuse.  Like last year, we are participating in International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st.  We did a proclamation at the July 26th Council Meeting and you will see the memorial flags in Riley Park signifying deaths in Monmouth County.  The good news is that there are much fewer flags in 2023 versus 2021 and 2022.  But we still have work to do as a society.

Please wear purple on August 31st.  Also, Support local charities, and consider donating to  Project Opioid, and harness Social Media for the Good using hashtags:

• #IOAD2023
• #EndOverdose
• #OverdoseAware

This Saturday is the annual Bradley Beach 5k- sponsored by the BB Fire Company.  Please join and participate.  Walk or run- it will be fun!! Sign up!

Thursday we had the Songwriters on the Beach  – Matthew Smith (of HODERA) and Mile Pellegrino (of LATEWAVES) did a great job and it was well attended.  Next week we have Ari Hest/ Mike Montali (of Hollis Brown and Fantastic Cat)/ Joseph Alton Miller.

Saturday we hope to have our fourth band in the Saturday Summer Concert series- The Verdict (7:00PM- 7:00 PM), tying into the theme of our annual Pirate Day.   Please join us!

Infrastructure project:  The Biase Center roof replacement:

The finishing “punch list” for the roof replacement has been completed.

The roof was completely replaced.  We are focused on getting the mold remediation effort going.  This was necessary and long overdue! 

We will then move the Community Development (Zoning/ Code, etc.) and Meals on Wheels back into the building; and groups like the Seniors, Arts Council, and committees/ commissions will have access to the facility.

Fletcher Lake. Our partners, Neptune Township (specifically Ocean Grove) started a project to repair the northeast bulkhead portion of Fletcher Lake. Work began 4 weeks ago with good progress. This is a key project in terms of the safety and stability of the bulkhead and contributes to our continued improvements to Fletcher Lake. Thank you to the Neptune and the Fletcher Lake Team for advocating for this important project!

We had a small but important improvement to the Playground area.  We had suggestions to get some shade onto the area so we are trying this shade cover.  Hopefully it will work well and we may then add a few more.

A Progress report on the 319 LaReine Avenue Church disposition:

At the August 16^th Council meeting, we brought a resolution forward to authorize T&M Associates to provide Professional Environmental and Engineering Services, Bidding Assistance, and Construction Administration Services for the Demolition of Structures located upon 319 LaReine Avenue.  What this meant is that T&M would develop a “bid specification” for demolition companies.  We would then award the bid for demolition.  After a 23-minute discussion clarifying the resolution and work to be done, Council President DeMarco and I voted yes to move forward. Unfortunately, Councilman Gubitosi and Councilwoman DeNoble voted no on this resolution, which in a 2-2 “tie” vote- the resolution fails.  Councilman Gubitosi’s reason was the cost ($48k) and that he was not satisfied with the “salvage” component.  Mr. Fehrenbach and I met specifically with T&M and they did in fact get assurances that this was part of the work they would do.  Unfortunately, we can’t re-visit this

topic until our next Council meeting on September 13^th.  We, in fact, have lost another month in this already tedious process.  We will bring this to a vote again on September 13^th.

Our Shuttle Service in Bradley Beach-  F R E E!!

We are partnering a pilot with Feel Good Shuttles

The Bradley Beach Pilot is up and running!  The Feel Good Shuttles group has reported a BIG uptick in Bradley Beach participation- GREAT! We are  testing/ assessing how we might proceed in 2024.  We see benefits in freeing up parking, safety, support to businesses pick you up.  Click for reservations on the link below.

https://foodshuttle.appointlet.com/s/bradley-beach

More information about Feel Good Shuttles is also on their website-

https://www.feelgoodshuttles.com/ Also the phone number for texting them text for Friday service is 1 805 272 7812.  Rides are free!. Tips are encouraged!

This should complement the restaurant experience in Bradley Beach.

Restaurants have become a defining characteristic of our community.

A few other quick topics to highlight:

Those residents that had grass repaired by the borough due to the sewer, curb, and street corner repairs.  P L E A S E water the areas so that they get established- THANKS!

Our Beach is one of our key assets in which we are the stewards. There is a mutual dependency with our Tourism in Bradley Beach and our beach. Our Lifeguards, First Aid, and Police all do a great job in managing the beach. There has to be, however, a respect for the power and sometimes danger of the Atlantic Ocean. I urge everyone to promote water safety. Please swim when lifeguards are on duty!

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

That’s all for now!

We have a lot to be thankful for here in Bradley Beach, and much to celebrate.  

Thank you- and see you around town!

Mayor Larry Fox