By PETE WALTON
Business has been so good of late that the owners of the Bamboo Leaf restaurant on Main Street in Bradley Beach decided to give $2,000 to the borough.
Municipal Administrator Kelly Barrett said at this week’s Borough Council meeting that the funds have been deposited in the unanticipated revenues fund.
Though Bradley Beach’s roster of successful restaurants continues to grow, several residents told the council that the Labor Day weekend Lobsterfest hurt business at a number of eateries.
Councilman Norman Goldfarb, a member of the Memorial Day Committee which oversees festivals at the beginning and end of the summer season, called the recent event “a resounding success.” He said approximately 5,000 people attended.
Borough organizations will be presented with checks from the festival proceeds at a future council meeting.
Goldfarb and other councilmen praised festival promoters The Passion Group and the borough’s public works department for the quick cleanup after the event ended.
Mayor Gary Engelstad reported that he and Barrett met with tourism director Amy Hall to discuss future promotion of borough businesses. Engelstad said the idea of a business commission is being considered.
“She has a great relationship with businesses in town,” the mayor said of Hall.
The council introduced a resolution for the purchase of a Kubota vehicle to be used in a plastic film recycling program. Barrett said the S.C. Johnson Co. will reimburse the borough for the vehicle within 30 days after the purchase.
The Wisconsin-based consumer products company is also paying half the cost of containers where the plastic products can be placed. Such items as plastic grocery bags can be recycled and sold. Barrett said S.C. Johnson is putting the borough in touch with contractors who will buy the recycled products. Pickup will begin Nov. 13, the administrator said.
Engelstad thanked Councilman John Weber for helping to bring the borough and S.C. Johnson together.
Barrett also reported that beach badge and beach parking revenue increased by more than $167,000 over last summer’s figure.
