By Stephen Appezzato
OCEANPORT – The borough hall was packed for Oceanport’s reorganization meeting as officials were sworn in, honors were doled out, and a new mayor took his seat on the dais.
Richard Gallo and Bryan Keeshen were sworn in for another term on the borough council after the two won reelection in November in an uncontested race; council member William Deerin was voted council president.
Incoming mayor and former council member Thomas Tvrdik recited his oath of office and gave a lengthy speech paying homage to important members of the Oceanport community.
Tvrdik expressed thanks for his loved ones, borough workers, fellow council members and community volunteers – each honor met with applause – then reflecting on his tenure, which led to his new role.
“We’ve been through quite a bit,” he said, noting park improvements, infrastructure overhauls and a major $33 million transformation for borough schools, which now “look better than ever,” that was approved in a 2019 referendum.
“We’ve had challenges in the past and we are for sure going to have challenges in the future,” he said, reminiscing on the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as major developments in the borough.
“Eight years ago, we didn’t know what the fate of the fort would be, or Monmouth Park. Today, I can sit here and tell you that we know what the fate of Monmouth Park and Fort Monmouth is going to be, because Oceanport Fort Monmouth is spoken for and either developed or being developed. Monmouth Park has put together a comprehensive plan. Whether we like it or not, we know what’s happening over there at Monmouth Park,” Tvrdik said, referencing the ambitious plans to construct an age-restricted living development, hotel and other amenities at the racetrack to improve financial security.
Tvrdik addressed the forthcoming Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth, having confidence the borough will navigate this new stage like it has navigated previous developments. He also mentioned the state of affordable housing obligations, which the borough “settled and met” in the past eight years – a “tremendous” achievement.
Over the past decade, Oceanport sailed through stormy seas, navigating complex challenges and new chapters in the borough’s history.
“A lot of this is primarily because we had such a great leader the last eight years – Jay Coffey,” said Tvrdik. “He set the table for us, for Oceanport, for years to come,” he said.
The new mayor read a proclamation highlighting Coffey’s long list of achievements during his tenure as mayor and honored Coffey with his own day – Jay Coffey Day, Jan. 4, 2024 – in the borough’s history. The former mayor received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Longtime resident, volunteer firefighter and dedicated community member Buddy Brocklebank was similarly written into the town’s history, receiving the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The reorganization proceeded with council appointments to committees and council remarks. With Tvrdik’s move from council to mayor, and Gallo and Keeshen’s uncontested victories in November, a seat remains vacant on the borough council. Oceanport residents can petition to fill the council seat, serving on the dais until the November 2024 election when a formal race will occur. Those interested in petitioning for office should contact the borough council or administrator.
“It takes volunteers like Jay and all of you that are here tonight to make Oceanport as great as it is,” said Tvrdik.
The article originally appeared in the January 11 – January 17, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
