We hope everyone is enjoying the 2023 Holiday Season.  Hanukkah has concluded and Christmas and News Year is upon us.  Where did the year go?  This is the last Mayor’s message of 2023; and I’ll cover a few bits of news but concentrate on the progress we have had as a community in 2023.  The first edition in January (5th) will look forward to 2024!

We had a lot of successes with “year 2” of the Mayors Wellness Campaign.  We are starting 2024 and the winter months with a series called “Zooming for Wellness”.

This new series in the continuing commitment to promote health and wellness.  This new interactive program offers an opportunity to hear experts on timely issues that affect our entire community and to do so in an easy to access fashion.    

All residents of Bradley Beach, neighbors and family are invited to the kick-off zoom on Thursday, January 11 at 6 p.m. The subjects are appropriate for all and all ages are welcome. Subsequent sessions are planned over the next few months, also on Thursdays.  

Join us for this first informative session which will focus on Social Media and Your Mental Health, presented by Stacy Doumas, MD, Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. 

Dr. Doumas will discuss the impact of social media on our mental health. Participants will learn tips for healthy social media use, how to manage negative feelings that may arise and actions that can be taken to ensure your well -being.

Social Media plays a big part in everyone's lives.  While there are positive aspects to social media, it has also been associated with potential harm, especially to the mental health of those of all ages.   

We invite all residents of Bradley Beach and our neighbors, family, and friends to join, listen and ask questions.  Please register to participate:

https://register.capturepoint.com/reg/cat_program_list_detail.cfm?season_id=32296&program_id=2157568

(you will be sent a zoom link and calendar invite prior to the meeting)

2023- Service and Progress to Bradley Beach!

Overall, we had a pretty good year here in Bradley Beach.  Let’s take a brief “ride around town”.

Gotta start with the exciting topic of infrastructure.  A lot of focus and work in this area:

1) The Phase II Sewer project- done and dusted

2) The McCabe/ Ocean Park Outfall pipe- big project- well done

3) Sump-pump water line remediation on selected blocks- big success with residents

4) The Fletcher Lake Bridge renovation- much needed and timely

5) Planning phases of the Sylvan Lake Outfall pipe- in process

6) Biase- roof replacement and potential slight remodeling

The Beachfront-

1) We assessed our handicap access and made some good improvements, including handicap lockers and mat extensions.  More to come

2) In adding the above, we also built an additional 33 lockers for our residents and visitors

3) We have applied for a coastal resilience grant that will create more security on our south side of town

4) Also shaded portions of the promenade playground

Grants:

We continued to up our game:

1) Recreation Grant- we’ll get going on that construction in 2024

2) Lake Terrace Park- attained and construction in process

3) Applied for both an unused asset and coastal resilience “boardwalk” grant

Main Street and Related:

1) We worked a pilot electric vehicle trolley this summer- good success 

2) The Theater- renovations finally beginning for a 2024 re-opening

3) Riley Park was buzzing much of the year- particularly the summer- by upping the quality of our events. This benefited our Main Street businesses and made Bradley Beach and entertainment destination!

4) We worked with the Bradley Beach Business and Community Alliance on a number of initiatives – one of which was the 130th Anniversary of Bradley Beach celebrations. Well done!

The 130th Anniversary of Bradley Beach was a huge success. The participation by our community (over 400 people) at this wonderful event on our Promenade was a reflection of the spirit, unity, and fellowship that defines Bradley Beach. The leadership of our 25 volunteers, who spent 1500 + hours pulling off this BIG success- was incredible.

On Affordability:

1.)After “holding the line” literally in 2021 and 2022, we had a tough 2023 relative to municipal tax.  Our 3-year average is a little below 5%; but we are working hard to keep 2024 at the lowest possible level.  

The 319 LaReine Avenue Church-

Progress was made here, although not enough and too slow.  We are progressing now and will keep a focus on this.  Targeting a ‘Q-1 resolution.

These prior points don’t at all cover our important Boards, Committees, and Commissions that contribute our success:

An “Exclamation Point” and thanks to our Fire and First Aid volunteers and the Office of Emergency Management.

Our largest volunteer base here in town is the  Bradley Food Pantry- 170 volunteers,

I view this group, dealing with food insecurity, as one of the most important enterprises in our community.

Kudos to Bradley Beach Business and Community Alliance (BBCA)- a 200-member non-profit group that continues to partner with the Borough and Businesses- Thanks!

On the legislative side, over a dozen ordinance changes were made in 2023- a highlight- steps to regulate AirBNB’s.  

Additionally, almost 300 resolutions were passed that provide a mechanism to get things done in our community.

So, I just headlined over 20 initiatives above that we tackled in 2023.  The collective team of our Public Works Team, our Professional Engineering resources, our Police, our Recreation and Tourism Team, our Municipal Team, our Beach Team, our Community Development Team,  our Council, and our Boards, Committees, and Commissions, along with the BBBCA- made it happen through effort and teamwork.

We’ll cover 2024 in the next edition!

I hope everyone continues to have a wonderful Holiday Season - Whether Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or the Chinese New Year- enjoy yourselves!  Again, we have a lot to be thankful for in Bradley Beach!  We’ll be working to close out 2023 and getting our plans together for 2024.  Stay safe!

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

Thanks, and see you around town.          

Mayor Larry Fox