Mayor

June 5, 2026

Dear Friends,

The Army Corps of Engineers announced this week that it has awarded a $19.5 million contract to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company to rebuild our north-end beaches with 1.6 million cubic yards of sand. The project area will extend from Seaspray Beach to 12th Street, and work is expected to begin in July.

As always, we’re grateful to our partners for assisting in this important work. More than 91 percent of our beach replenishment program is funded by the federal Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Environmental Protection, and we have to work with their schedule.

Since the beginning of our 50-year agreement with the Army Corps in the 1990s, the beach replenishment program has proven to be an overwhelming success across almost all of our eight miles of beach.

Once the contractor holds a preconstruction meeting, we will be able to post a projected timeline and daily updates to ocnj.us/beachupdate. 

New Jersey American Water’s contractor will be completing milling and paving work next week as part of the final phase of sanitary sewer line upgrades for Merion Park, including parts of Bartram Lane and Waterview Boulevard. The contractor has notified all homes that will be affected. Residents are asked not to park in the street between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from Tuesday (June 9) through Friday (June 12). Driveways will not be accessible during the same hours on Thursday and Friday during final paving. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Our twice-a-week trash and recycling pickup schedule will begin on Saturday, June 13. We’re anticipating another busy summer with many residents and guests in town. It’s important to remember that all trash and recycling must be placed in containers. Do not place loose bags out for pickup. Also remember that recyclables cannot be left in plastic bags within containers. Dump bottles, cans, boxes and other recyclables in a recycling container, then throw away any plastic bag with the trash. Starting on Monday, we will have inspectors traveling our pickup routes and placing door hangers as a reminder to anybody who is in violation of these important guidelines. As always, you can call 609-399-6111, ext. 9710 to report any issues with your regularly scheduled trash and recycling pickup. 

I’m sad to report on the passing of Gary Griffith, our Ocean City Planning Board solicitor. Gary served the board with distinction for many years, and we’re all grateful for his guidance and expertise. He was a former member of the Ocean City Board of Education, an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in town, a Miss Ocean City Pageant judge, and a former lifeguard at the Flanders, among a lifetime of service to our community. Please join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to all of Gary’s family, friends and colleagues. He will be missed.

The weekend forecast looks beautiful. I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy all that Ocean City has to offer. You can check our calendar of special events here. 

This week's edition of the "Inside City Hall" video series includes the return of the Boardwalk falcons, weekend events, and a look at generations of the same family completing a cross-country bicycle ride ending in Ocean City. Check it out below.

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