By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Bradley Beach officials and residents showered outgoing Bradley Beach Borough Administrator Phyllis Quixley with words of praise at her last meeting Tuesday night.
Quixley has worked for the borough for 40 years, the last 16 as the administrator.
At press time, the council was holding a special meeting where Gail O’Reilly was expected to be named as Quixley’s replacement.
Council President Lori Marchak-Ortiz held back tears as she recounted Quixley’s many years of service in the borough.
Marchak-Ortiz recalled that Quixley started working for the borough in 1967 when she volunteered to help her husband in the municipal court.
It wasn’t until 10 years later that Quixley became a paid employee.
“Ten years later you finally received a pay check,” Marchak-Ortiz said.
Quixley became the deputy borough clerk in 1988 and clerk in 1993.
She was promoted to borough administrator in 1996.
“Your roles might have changed over 40 years, but your love for your town has grown,” Marchak-Ortiz said. “Your borough co-workers are family. You are not only the business administrator you are the head of our family.”
The borough meeting room was filled to capacity, many offering Quixley their well wishes.
After being presented with flowers, balloons and a cake, Quixley said, “I loved working for the borough. Sometimes it was the best of days and sometimes the worst of days, but you are all family – I feel like a princess. I’ll remember this always.”
Mayor Julie Schreck later said O’Reilly is an experienced municipal employee who worked as a planner in Red Bank.
“Gail comes with a very good track record as a planner,” Schreck said. “One of our most important concerns is the fate of Main Street and downtown.”
Schreck also said O’Reilly has experience in administration and project management, along with impressive technology skills.
Schreck said she wants the borough to be run in a more “modern” way with better use of technology inside borough offices.
“I want to move in a more technology-friendly way,” Schreck said.
Also at the meeting Marchak-Ortiz presented checks in the amount of $1,080 to the Bradley Beach lifeguards and Neptune’s Unexcelled Fire Company.
The money was raised during the annual Robert J. Foti Golf Tournament in August, in memory of Robert Foti, a fireman killed in the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
Foti was a summer resident who volunteered at the Unexcelled Fire Company.
Foti’s widow said she would like the funds to be used toward upkeep of the Robert J. Foti memorial at the fire house.
The fire company gave a plaque to Marchak-Ortiz thanking her for her efforts.
Councilman Gary Engelstad reported that the senior center is in need of new audio/visual equipment.
Engelstad suggested that the borough purchase an overhead projector with a screen for the center and said he is in the process of getting quotes from vendors.
“We have the potential to do more with that room,” he said.
Engelstad then thanked Quixley for her service.
“I wish you nothing but the best, you have two loves, this town and your family…you will have time to spend with your family.”
Councilman Norman Goldfarb reported that the Department of Transportation finally removed the traffic light in front of borough hall which was previously used when the building housed fire trucks.
During public comments former Councilwoman Amy Speck complemented Quixley but then asked council about the necessity of hiring a new administrator.
“”We’re in a recession, and could be headed to a depression. I know you inherited a tremendous amount of debt and we should be working toward paying down that debt.”
Speck suggested increasing the salary of Borough Clerk Mary Ann Solinski and combing both jobs.
Schreck said, “That’s a valid question but I think the new administrator will add value in ways that will be valuable to the town.
Schreck called the borough’s debt “serious,” but said the town has been paying it down.
“I had a different vision for the town – everyone will be happy in a year that I brought her on board.”
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
