As I have said in the past, the winter can be a quiet time of year in Sea Isle City – but it is also when we schedule our events and activities for the approaching summer season and complete as many municipal construction projects as possible. That being said, yesterday City Council approved Resolution 009, which designated which beaches will be used for bathing and other recreational activities in 2023 (that info will soon be posted on our municipal website, www.seaislecitynj.us). Additionally, we have booked our 2023 Saturday evening concerts, and that line-up has already been posted on the “Weekly Events” page at www.VISITSICNJ.com; and our Recreation Office is putting the final touches on the list of summer camps and sports clinics that we will be offering in 2023. We also have some roadwork currently taking place, so please use caution while driving or walking along our streets – and please accept my apologies if you come across any minor road detours.
This is also the time of year when local Girl Scouts sell their world-famous cookies to raise funds for activities and “amazing experiences” for the scouts. Here in Sea Isle City, we have a very nice group of young ladies in Girl Scout Troop 41012, who will be selling cookies outside of the Welcome Center on Saturday mornings through March 4 (unless Mother Nature throws them a curve ball with foul weather). I encourage everyone to support our local scouts and purchase a box of cookies (or two) if you can. Please remember that the children of today will be the leaders of tomorrow; and being part of positive organizations, such as Boy and Girl Scout troops, can help them spread their wings and reach their true potential.
Is it me, or is the month of January flying-by very quickly? As this month rapidly comes to a close, please keep in mind that there are many good reasons to be in Sea Isle City during the month of February. A big reason is that our community is a lovely place to celebrate Valentine’s Day – thanks to our inviting shoreline, which is an ideal location to enjoy a scenic stroll with that special someone. We also have many wonderful eateries; however, I suggest that you make your dinner reservations early if you want to enjoy a romantic meal in Sea Isle City.
Many people also look forward to the month of February so they can enjoy the long Presidents’ Day Weekend at the shore. As you probably have already heard, the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism will take place at noon on Saturday, February 18, and it will serve as the centerpiece of our town’s Presidents’ Weekend celebration. In addition to the Run-Walk for Autism, which will take place on the Promenade followed by a huge family-friendly gathering at Excursion Park, many of our local restaurants and retailers will be open and ready to greet customers with discounts and special offers. So, to ensure that you won’t miss any of the fun, mark your calendar now and spend Presidents’ Day Weekend with us here in Sea Isle City!
Summer will be here before we know it, and many of us are already dreaming of leisurely strolls along the water’s edge with our toes in the sand or simply relaxing on the beach with family and friends. As everyone is aware, here in Sea Isle City beachgoers who are age 12 and older are required to have a beach tag from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Fortunately, it has been many years since we raised the cost of a Sea Isle City beach tag – and 2023 will be no different. Seasonal beach tags are now on sale at the Welcome Center and at the Beach Tag Vending Machine in the lobby of City Hall at the pre-season rate of $20, which changes to the regular seasonal rate of $25 on May 15.
For those of you who love “all things Irish” or have a beach tag collection that you want to keep updated, please be aware that limited edition 2023 Saint Patrick’s Beach Tags go on sale February 21. In addition to being available at the aforementioned locations, our Saint Patrick’s Beach Tags will also be on sale online – which is new this year. Starting February 21, you can place you order for Saint Patrick’s tags via the “Beach Tag” page at www.seaislecitynj.us and have them shipped directly to your door for a nominal handling fee. If you have questions about Sea Isle City’s Beach Tags, please phone the Welcome Center at 609-263-8687, and one of our Tourism Office employees will be happy to assist you.
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
At the start of the January 24 City Council meeting, Mayor Desiderio reminded Council and the public that City Hall will be open this Saturday, January 28, from 8:30 AM to 12 noon, as part of the Administration’s effort to offer expanded hours on several Saturdays throughout the year. The Mayor also stated that he will be hosting another meeting with Sea Isle’s newly-formed Youth Recreation Committee on Saturday morning, because the Administration wants to gather additional input from younger residents regarding recreation programs and the use of Sea Isle’s future Community Center.
During his report to Council, the Mayor also explained that he has instructed the City Solicitor to draft an ordinance that will help Sea Isle City more effectively address the issues associated with young people displaying disruptive behavior during the summer season – and he hopes that ordinance will be adopted in the spring. The Mayor also indicated that he will continue to work with our state legislators on this topic, however he does not want to wait any longer to take action on the local level.
Additionally, the Mayor updated Council on Sea Isle City’s 2023 Beach Replenishment Project, which is expected to go out for bids in April with a contract to be awarded in June.
Following Mayor Desiderio’s comments, Business Administrator George Savastano updated City Council on the current and future road projects that are taking place in Sea Isle City.
Each of the resolutions on the January 24 Consent Agenda was approved, including...
• Resolution 009, which established the beaches that will have lifeguards in attendance during the 2023 summer season – and which beaches will be used for other recreation purposes. (Please Note: City Council reminds the public that Mayor Desiderio and his Administration recently addressed the issue of shark fishing interfering with other activities on the beach, and an amicable solution was reached regarding that topic).
• Resolution 010, which authorized the Sea Isle City Police Department to participate in government surplus auctions in order to obtain equipment that is reasonably priced.
• Resolution 011, which authorized the approval of a 50/50 Off-Premises Raffle Application for Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School, which will be part of a school fundraiser at the Oar House on February 11, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
• Resolution 012, which reappointed the members of Sea Isle City’s Zoning Board of Adjustments.
• Resolution 014, which authorized a state contract in the amount of $154,986, with Gold Type Business Machines, for Radio Dispatch and 911 Upgrades for the Sea Isle City Police Department.
• Resolution 019, which authorized the purchase of a Ford Utility Interceptor police vehicle, from Gentilini Ford, in the amount of $70,288.
The next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 14, at 10:00 AM, on the third floor of City Hall – and we hope to see you there!
Council President Mary Tighe
Frank Edwardi
J.B. Feeley
William Kehner
Jack Gibson
