City Hall, 233 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
mayorlen@seaislecitynj.us
Phone 609-263-4461, Ext. 1245
Fax 609-263-2142
Assistant to the Mayor
Pattiann Ponichtera
pattiann@seaislecitynj.us
Phone 609-263-4461, Ext. 1245
Fax 609-263-2142
Sea Isle City Mission and Values Statement | Veteran Welcome Home Ceremony Form
MAYOR'S MESSAGE TO CITY COUNCIL, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
We’re tracking a nor’easter that will impact our region over the next several days. We can expect minor tidal flooding with this evening’s high tide, around 6 p.m., and moderate tidal flooding with the high tides on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Please stay tuned to weather forecasts and city alerts, as the forecast can change. If you’re in low lying areas, please move your vehicles to higher ground. During this week, we will allow overnight parking at the Community Center and Library parking lots.
On council’s agenda today are resolutions for award of two construction contracts – one for our water and sewer utility, and one for a project being funded through the Cape May County Open Spaces program. The water and sewer utility project is for the refurbishment of the water system aerators at our 40th and 55th Street treatment facilities. The aerators are part of the treatment process for Sea Isle’s drinking water that is drawn from aquifers 800 feet deep in the ground.
The other project is the construction of the handicapped accessible ramp to the beach and observation platform at 5th Street. The entire project cost is covered by our grant from the county. This will be a great amenity for the city and is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure accessibility for everyone to our beaches, as well as all city facilities. We have a tight window for construction between December 1st and March 15th due to permitting restrictions from the DEP, so the contractor will use the time over the next couple months to procure the material needed to build the project and be ready to start construction in December.
As I reported in last week’s newsletter, we recently met with one of our residents, Steve Matyszczak, to review options for handicapped access at our marina; and I’m pleased to announce that we’ll be implementing Steve’s idea for designation of a handicapped accessible slip at the marina.
The work will involve installation of an appropriate ramp from the marina walkway down to the dock slips, along with installation of a hoist on the designated slip. Our objective is to have the work completed in advance of the next summer season.
I also reported in last week’s newsletter that our volunteer fire department is celebrating their 135th anniversary this year. The fire department will commemorate that anniversary this coming Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 p.m., when they will also have a housing ceremony for two new fire trucks. The housing ceremony is a long-standing tradition in the fire service that signifies that a new fire truck is ready for duty and officially “housed’ in the station. I want to congratulate and thank all members of the fire department for their service to Sea Isle.
I’m pleased to announce the winners of the 2027 Beach Tag Art Contest. As we’ve done for several years now, we invited children 17 years and younger to submit entries for the beach tag designs for our Christmas Holiday, Saint Patrick’s Day, Veteran’s and Seasonal Tags. We received 167 entries this year, and I want to commend all the children for their fine artwork. The following are this year’s winners:
Holiday Tag – Regan Cunningham
Saint Patrick’s Day Tag – Murphy Reilley
Veteran’s Tag – Brielle Davis
Seasonal Tag – Savannah Wagner
After I conclude my remarks today, I’m going to ask the members of VFW Post 1963’s Auxiliary to come forward, as I’d like to make a special presentation to them. As everyone knows, the VFW Auxiliary is the largest and most active auxiliary in New Jersey. They have long been recognized throughout the state for all their efforts in support of our veterans, and it’s proper and fitting that we recognize them in these chambers.
Speaking of veterans, this week is the 18th annual New Jersey Run for the Fallen. The run is organized by military runners and support crews, with the mission of running one mile for each New Jersey active service member who has died during the Global War on Terror. The run starts in Cape May Point and will come through Sea Isle this Thursday, as it makes its way northward through the state. This is an inspirational and honorable event, and I want to thank the members of the military, along with all the other volunteers and participants, who help to carry on this fitting tribute to our fallen heroes.
As always, please remember, we are one Sea Isle City and together we’ll be stronger than ever.
Smile, you're in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. --Abraham Lincoln
