By KATHARINA CAVANO
BRADLEY BEACH – The long-awaited beachfront gazebo replacement process in Bradley Beach officially began July 9 at the Bradley Beach Borough Council meeting. The bidding process for the two-tiered gazebo was approved at the meeting and officials hope the gazebo will be in place by the end of the year.
The council also approved the restoration and replacement process for the Second Avenue Concession Stand’s deck to be completed by winter and ready for next season. Despite dissent, the leasing of two new police vehicles from the Monmouth County Improvement Authority was approved as well. Councilman Harold Cotler cast the sole dissenting vote based on the fact that he believed the town would be better off fiscally by leasing only one vehicle this year and begin “converting ourselves from a debt municipality”.
Residents as well as Mayor Gary Engelstad praised the Department of Works for the successful Fourth of July weekend.
“Main Street was booming” Engelstad said.
Councilman Pat D’Angelo said he had “never seen so many people on the beach in our lives” for the borough’s fireworks the evening of July 4.
“The departments really shone this weekend” Engelstad said.
He added that the beach revenue made a major dent in the estimated $47,000 in beach revenue that the town is down this year. He remained positive about the summer, however.
“If I come back from church, and there’s no parking spaces, it’s a good day,” he said.
The council also announced that the Cliff Avenue beach entrance is expected to reopen by the end of this week.
In other business, on Sat., July 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fifth Avenue beach, doctors will perform free scans for skin cancer and melanoma for anyone without a dermatologist. On July 19 Bradley Beach will become one of six communities in New Jersey with a Little Free Library. This organization helps to promote literacy throughout the world by creating little stands where people are welcome to take a book or leave a book for free. Bradley Beach’s library will be located on the McCabe Avenue boardwalk.
The registration for the Aug. 17 Bradley Beach 5k is now open. To register go to www.eliteracingsystems.com.
