I’m happy to report that our beach replenishment project has been completed! Over the course of the project, 480,000 cubic yards of sand were placed on our beaches between 29th and 55th Streets, and I’ve received many compliments about how great our beaches look. Thank you to all our residents and visitors for your patience throughout this important undertaking. In addition to providing more room for recreation, our newly widened beaches offer critical shore protection that will benefit our community for years to come. I also want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Norfolk Dredging for their outstanding work in managing and successfully completing this project.

For some time now, there’s been discussions about providing additional shade at our playgrounds. While we’ve already installed shade structures over seating areas, some residents have expressed a desire for more shade over the playground equipment itself. I recently visited neighboring communities to see how they’ve approached this issue, and I’ve asked our administration to develop a practical, cost-effective plan for expanding shade at our playgrounds.

Our first opportunity may be at the JFK Boulevard playground for the 2027 season. Since the existing equipment is still in good condition, adding shade structures could improve the experience for families without requiring a full playground replacement. I understand there were concerns about the cost of previous concepts, so we’ll be exploring alternatives that are more economical while still achieving the desired result.

At Dealy Field, our goal is to pursue Cape May County Open Space funding to replace the existing playground equipment and incorporate a shade system as part of that project. If successful, we anticipate completing that work before the 2028 season. We’ll continue to keep the public informed as these plans move forward.

In other news, I want to let everyone know that the Tax Office has now received the certified 2026 tax rate from the county. The City was required to wait for this certification before mailing the final 2026/preliminary 2027 property tax bills. Because of this delay, the grace period for the August 1 tax payment will be extended. Now that the certified tax rate has been received, the billing process will begin, and tax amounts due will soon be available through the online payment portal on the City’s website. Information about the extended grace period will also be included with your tax bill. We appreciate your patience and encourage property owners to check the online payment portal for updates.

One of the best parts of summer is seeing the many volunteers and organizations that help make Sea Isle City such a special place. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time with the dedicated volunteers who lead our popular Beachcomber Tours. These educational walks take place every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the 29th Street Beach and every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Townsends Inlet Park. The Beachcombers introduce both children and adults to our coastal environment while teaching the importance of protecting our beaches and dunes. Thank you to all the volunteers who have kept this wonderful Sea Isle tradition going for so many years. Your enthusiasm and dedication make you outstanding ambassadors for our community.

This week’s shout out goes to long-time Sea Isle resident Bobby Milano, who took it upon himself to clean up the Coast Guard facility at 82nd and the Bay, raking up the entire site and making it shine for the neighborhood. Thank you, Bobby!

As we continue to enjoy the height of the summer season, I want to once again remind everyone to stay safe. Please slow down, stay aware of your surroundings, swim only at guarded beaches, and remember that a little patience and courtesy go a long way. By looking out for one another, we can all help make this a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone.

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