During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, I presented Council with this year’s Budget Message and State of the City Address, at which time I outlined our spending plans for the coming year and updated everyone on several other key points about our fair City.
As I stated on Tuesday, our proposed budget includes funding for a paid Duty Crew for Sea Isle City’s Fire Department, the construction of new pickleball courts at the Municipal Marina, additional lifeguard coverage in our north-end, and new pumping stations as well as new storm water sewer lines that will alleviate flooding.
Furthermore, the budget also includes funding that will allow us to move forward with our plans for a new Community Center on Park Road, and it provides us with money for the essential services and recreational activities our residents and visitors have enjoyed in recent years.
As I also said on Tuesday, there will be no increase to our municipal water and sewer fees, making this the eighth straight year in a row we have been able to keep our water bills level.
However, even though we have been able to go several years without any increase in our municipal tax rate, due to all of the obligations we have and our desire to make valuable improvements that will benefit our entire community, we feel that a very slight increase in the tax rate – less than one-half a penny -- is appropriate this year.
That being said, please keep in mind that the budget we presented to City Council is the strongest it’s ever been, starting with a surplus of nearly $7 million.
So, without any doubt, I am happy to say once again that the state of our city is, indeed, very strong.
With President’s Weekend just hours away, I want to remind everyone that even though there will not be a plunge in the ocean on Saturday, we are still expecting a large number of people to be in town over the next several days.
Therefore, I respectfully remind everyone that this is not the time to let down our guards when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I ask you to please practice social distancing, to wear face masks, and observe safety guidelines at all times in order to keep yourself and others out of harm’s way.
Another important point to remember this weekend is that Sea Isle City’s bars and restaurants are currently operating at 35 percent their normal indoor capacity and they must end operations at 10 p.m. each night.
That still leaves us with many hours during the long weekend ahead to enjoy ourselves responsibly; so, I hope you plan on being in Sea Isle City over President’s Weekend and that you get to spend Valentine’s Day with someone you love or care for.
For additional information about President’s Weekend in Sea Isle City, please see the special section in this week’s E-Newsletter.
As many of you know, demolition began several days ago on Sea Isle City’s iconic Springfield Inn, which has been owned and operated by the Bisciotti family for many years.
I would like to thank the members of the Bisciotti family for their contributions to our town, for being good community neighbors, and for the entertainment and memories that they provided for many people.
As we acknowledge the decades that countless individuals and families enjoyed themselves at “The Springfield,” please join me as we welcome to our community “The Point, of Sea Isle City,” which is the new outdoor restaurant that will soon be constructed in that same location.
We look forward to The Point holding a special place in the heart of this community just as the Bisciotti family and The Springfield Inn have for so many years.
This week’s “Shout Out” goes to Sea Isle City Historical Society volunteer Bob Thibault. For the past several years, Bob has been donating his time and talents to our E-Newsletter by crafting cleverly written “Spotlights on History.”
In addition to Bob’s gifted writing skills and his love for the past, he works diligently to help our community document and preserve its history – and for that we should all be very grateful. Thank you, Bob Thibault!
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
