Our Tree and Menorah festivities were held on December 18 at Riley Park and were a rousing success.  Our residents and visitors had a great time.  Thanks to our Public Works, Police, Administrative staff, and volunteers did a great job!  I hope your holiday activities have been fun, restful, and safe!  

We are continuing to assess any areas of concern with our utility poles (excess wires/ pole age, etc.). We are continuing to work with JCP&L, OPTIMUM, Verizon, and others.  After touring every street in town- Frank Luna, Kim Humphrey, and I met to discuss options/ next steps. More to come! 

Mayor Fox with Frank Luna- JCP&L assessing poles/ wires on Newark Ave.

We are in the process of closing out our 2022 financial books and in the process of getting our 2023 budget in place- always fun! 

NOW 2023 and beyond-

Last year at this time I said Bradley Beach has a few big opportunities and challenges to address- those were: 

• The ShowRoom Theater closing- Cinema Labs acquisition- this is moving forward nicely with an opening set for Summer of 2023!
• The idea of a Community Center in the church the borough purchased in 2020- we made significant progress and are nearing a final determination on how we dispose of this site.
• A continued focus on Affordability (spending and municipal tax rate)- achieved! 
• A renewed strategy for Main Street- started- lots more to do 
• Continued improvements to the Beachfront (including a coastal resilience assessment with a view toward extending our bulkhead south)-not enough progress!
• And moving through a number of Infrastructure projects- among which is our “Phase II” sewer replacement project and sump pump outflow remediation- significant progress!  

So, here we go for 2023:

1. A continued focus on Affordability (spending and municipal tax rate) 
2. A renewed strategy for Main Street- started- 
3. Continued improvements to the Beachfront (including a coastal resilience assessment with a view toward extending our bulkhead south)-
4. Infrastructure improvements
5. Sewers
6. Outfall pipes
7. Coastal resilience
8. Our parks
9. Kim Humphrey has submitted to me 5 ordinances that need attention, the most important short-term-rentals- which we will be workshopping and introducing early this year
10. Closing out the 319 LaReine Church transaction
11. Affordable Housing- completing, submitting, and starting our plan 

In conclusion, I will continue to seek Feedback and Communication from our residents and professionals.   I know I will disappoint some of you as we go forward- one cost of progress.  My focus has been and will be the GREATER GOOD OF ALL RESIDENTS. I hope we get most of it right- I’m sure you will let us know.  

Thank you- and welcome 2023!

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