Mayor

June 13, 2025

Dear Friends,

Police yesterday responded to a report that hidden cameras had been placed in boardwalk restrooms. I want to assure the public that our detectives will use every available resource to find the person who placed these devices, and that person will be prosecuted to the fullest. This type of despicable crime will never be tolerated, and I’m confident that police will locate the perpetrator.

City Council last night approved the appointment of Michael Rossbach Jr. as our Qualified Purchasing Agent. On many levels, it’s important to have a certified professional administering our purchasing operations, and Mike has been with us for several years and is highly qualified. This is part of a succession plan for recently retired Purchasing Agent Joe Clark, and it will result in a reduction of our full-time staff by one. I look forward to working with Mike.

After weather delays this spring, the five hard-surface tennis courts at Fifth Street opened in time for play last weekend. There was an error with the court dimensions on the five turf courts. This is being corrected at no cost to the city, and these courts will be opened as soon as possible, pending delivery of new material and installation.

I want to thank Councilman Terry Crowley for bringing to my attention and thank Assemblyman Antwan McClellan for helping to bring to Ocean City the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission REAL ID Mobile Unit. This service visited our Senior Center on Thursday and assisted 50 local residents in obtaining their upgraded REAL ID that is now required for air travel. I hope to arrange to have the unit return sometime soon. It’s a way to serve seniors who may have limited ability to drive to the MVC.  

Our twice-a-week schedule for trash and recycling pickup starts as of Saturday. Our contractor picks up a lot of trash in the summer, and I want to remind everybody that loose trash bags will not be picked up. All trash must be placed in containers. 

Recycling can never be placed in plastic bags (whether or not they’re in containers). Please dump loose cans, bottles, boxes and recycling directly into a container before pickup. Plastic bags shut down the equipment at the county recycling facility, and trucks delivering recyclables in plastic bags are redirected straight to the landfill.

The water company’s contractor informed us yesterday that the emergency sewer repair at 29th Street is much more involved than originally anticipated. Multiple blocks of roadway were closed to traffic this week as the repair work continued. The block of 29th Street between West and Asbury remains unpaved. Please use extreme caution in this area.

The repair should be completed next week. But all of this work is being done just to buy time until a major repair can take place after the summer. We understand that this is the worst possible time for closing streets, but a sewer failure is not something anybody could anticipate and it’s not something to be ignored.

The peak season is here, and there are a lot of people in town sharing the roads, the beach, the boardwalk and other facilities. That makes it especially important to follow all the laws that keep everybody safe. 

E-bikes need to slow down and heed all the traffic signals that vehicles do. On the boardwalk, they should stay in designated lanes and use caution around other bikes and pedestrians. 

Part of sharing the beach in the summer is our prohibition against dogs on the beach. This law is in effect not only for the health and safety of our many beachgoers, but in some areas related to state laws that protect wildlife. I ask everybody to respect this law, even if it’s not a convenience.

I’m sad to report that Ocean City lost three of its respected citizens this week. Samuel Johnson Jr. was an Ocean City High School graduate, Army veteran and long-time electrical contractor in the area. Ron Padula was a Marine veteran and owner of Padula Masonry. These are two great examples of the tradesmen who make up the backbone of our community. Elizabeth “Betty” Mathers had been married to her husband, Dick, for almost 70 years. The Mathers retired to the town they’ve always loved here in Ocean City and are an important part of our community.

Please join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to the Johnson, Padula and Mathers families.

The Emergency Responder 5K Race is set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday with registration at the Civic Center. More information is available at ocnj.us/race-events. 

Sunday is also a special day, and I want to wish all the dads in Ocean City a Happy Father’s Day. 

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor 

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Welcome to The City of Ocean City, New Jersey!

Ocean City is a town rich in history and a deep sense of community. Families have been vacationing in Ocean City for generations and many have made Ocean City their year-round home.

Our residents enjoy award-winning schools, world-class recreation facilities and outstanding municipal services from all city departments, including Police, Fire and Rescue, and Beach Patrol. Residents participate in activities for every age and interest including the cultural arts, music and theater as well as sports and recreation programs available at our many parks, playgrounds and city facilities. One of our local treasures is the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue, where families and individuals can enjoy the Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City Arts Center, Ocean City Historical Museum, Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center, and the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center under one roof.

The city also maintains and operates a municipal airport, 12-hole golf course, Aquatic and Fitness Center as well as the famed Ocean City Pops Orchestra.

Ocean City is also host to more than 200 family-friendly special events held year-round. Many of our events are popular family traditions, including the Night in Venice Boat Parade in July, the Baby Parade in August, our mile-long block parties in May and October, and our family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration.

If you are vacationing in Ocean City, I know you’ll enjoy our seven miles of beautiful beaches and exciting Boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and amusements. And be sure to visit our unique and charming downtown shops and restaurants located in the heart of town on Asbury Avenue.

I am truly proud to serve as mayor for this great community and hope you and your family enjoy your time in America’s Greatest Family Resort.

Jay Gillian, Mayor

Phone: 609-525-9333
Email: mayor@ocnj.us