By John Spinelli
SEA BRIGHT – Although it was a gloomy day at the shore, there was a friendly atmosphere at Sea Bright Borough’s reorganization meeting Jan. 6.
Reelected Mayor Brian Kelly and council member John Lamia Jr., who both ran unopposed, were sworn in by Assemblymember Gerry Scharfenberger (R-13).
In his address, Kelly told the residents, “Overall, I think Sea Bright is trending in the right direction for 2024. There are a few public projects like the bridge that should be done this year. We are lucky to have our staff and professionals who work for us.”
He noted the challenge of looking for a new borough administrator but thanked Joe Verruni for “such a great job administering our borough over 10 years.”
Kelly also said the council will be working on fixing the borough’s drainage systems which are often taxed at high tide.
He congratulated the borough’s first responders, noting his appreciation for the firemen who were called to a house fire the night before the meeting.
It was a unique ceremony this year as U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) swore in Marc Leckstein, the lone Democrat on the council, while Scharfenberger swore in the remaining Republican council members.
During the comments from both current and newly elected council people, Leckstein acknowledged Jeff Booker who lost his seat to Leckstein in the 2023 election.
“First I would like to recognize Jeff for all his hard work and service these past three years to Sea Bright,” Leckstein said. “I will not hesitate to reach out to him for any help.”
“It is my honor to serve again on this council. I look forward to working with you all this upcoming year,” he said. Charles Murphy will serve as the Sea Bright Fire Chief, assisted by Charles Rivera, while Daniel Drogan and Kevin Morey will lead the First Aid Squad.
On the law enforcement side, Brett Friedman will serve as the borough’s police chief for 2024.
There were new council visions for the new year relating to flood control, beach replenishment and resident affairs with the increase of Airbnb’s and limited parking in town.
“Last year, we raised our parking fines from $50 to $125, not to gain revenue, but to punish bad behavior relating to visitors taking residents’ parking areas,” said council member Erwin Bieber.
“Same with charging and registering all rentals. We will continue to not let up.”
Bieber also explained how the council is trying to invest in and improve flooding mitigation in the borough.
Council member Sam Catalano discussed beach replenishment and maintenance, something he noted “is always an issue in the borough” since it is sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Shrewsbury River. “We are hit on both sides of the water,” he said.
He invited everyone to assist with dune grass planting in the spring.
Council member Heather Gorman announced many activities planned in cooperation with the library and community center for the year. The borough’s calendars can be found at seabrightnj.org/sbnj/calendars.
The annual meeting concluded with Rev. Michael Turner of the Sea Bright United Methodist Church providing an invocation for the new officials for wisdom in the upcoming year.
The article originally appeared in the January 11 – January 17, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
