July 2023 Hometown News

Department of Public Works & Public Property - Commissioner/Mayor Jonathan Oldham

 

I want to wish everyone a very happy 4th of July. The island is hopping with people, and everyone is in celebration mode. Today we reflect on our independence, celebrate our freedom, and remember those who served in our armed forces. 

 

Harvey Cedars is very busy. People mulling around the craft show, enjoying the beach, scurrying around the downtown business district, and enjoying the great food of our local restaurants. 

 

Public Works is also busy. Work on the water main on 75th street has been delayed due to the high tides. However, we have completed reconnecting all of the water services and will let everything settle before repaving the street this fall. Public Works’ employees are out emptying trash on the beach and street ends along with repairing things on a regular basis. We are raking the beach four days a week and continually cleaning off the beach mats and maintaining the street ends. 

 

Remember the memorial brick project at Sunset Park? We will begin construction this August. There is still time to get a memorial brick and honor someone in your family along with improving Harvey Cedars at the same time. 

 

We are expecting final approval from the Department of Transportation any day. Once we have that approval, we will start the bidding process for the streetscapes project to begin in the fall.

 

Everyone in the Harvey Cedars Department of Public Works is wishing you a happy and safe 4th. 

Department of Revenue & Finance – Commissioner Paul Rice

 

The new 2023/2024 tax bills should be coming out this month.  We are waiting for the certified rate from Ocean County.  If the tax bills are mailed late, the grace period will be extended accordingly.

 

Our summer events have officially kicked off in Harvey Cedars! Thank you to all of our volunteers that make each event possible. Concerts kick-off on July 12th with The Pickles from 6:30-8:30PM in Sunset Park. Chick-fil-A of Manahawkin will be onsite with food to purchase. They will be a staple at most of our events this year. 

 

The Harvey Cedars Art Festival will take place on Sunday, July 16th in Sunset Park. Check out our artists and fine crafters from 10AM-4PM. Agnellos will be set-up with food for purchase. 

 

If you're looking for Harvey Cedars merchandise, visit our table at our craft and art events! Volunteers will be selling all of our current merchandise. Older designs, more sizes, and additional colors can be found on our website. Visit the site by clicking here.

 

Kids Night is returning to Sunset Park on July 27th from 5-7PM! After a one year hiatus, the event is returning revamped with even more activities for the kids. Purchase of a wristband will give access to face painting, dunk tank, touch-a-truck, petting zoo, carriage rides, and inflatables! Food will be available for purchase. All proceeds go towards the Harvey Cedars Activity Committee and future events in Harvey Cedars!  Thank you to the Harvey Cedars Police Foundation for their generous donation to help make this event happen.

 

To get a full schedule of our events click here. 

 

High Point Volunteer Fire Company's annual Dog Day Road Race will take place on August 20th.  This is a great opportunity to support our local volunteers!  For more information, please visit the Dog Day site by clicking here. 

 

 

Department of Public Safety & Public Affairs – Commissioner/Deputy Mayor John M. Imperiale

 

Happy 4th of July to all, and have a safe and enjoyable summer!

 

I am happy to announce that Danielle Tilton, the HCPD Confidential Administrative Assistant has, after successfully completing accreditation manager training and exam, has been appointed as the Accreditation Manager for the police department. The HCPD has been accredited since 2010 showing its commitment to accountability, transparency and acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. For many years, working towards the accreditation certification has required considerable time for our officers. With Mrs. Tilton now serving as the Accreditation Manager our officers will now have even more time to be on patrol, a nice productivity increase for our department. Congratulations Danielle!

 

The HC Public Safety Community Forums continued in June with a presentation from the High Point Volunteer Fire Company and the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad. The presentation by these all-volunteer organizations, that keep us safe year-round, gave us a complete picture of their background and operations. It was a terrific presentation, with a great q and a with the HC residents in attendance. Thanks to all!

 

The Community Forums will pick up again on Thursday, September 21st, 5 pm - 6 pm at Borough Hall with a presentation by the LBI Health Department. Dan Krupinski will present all of the services provided by the LBI Health Department, the Department’s background, as well as how that organization works with and supports the island’s municipalities.

 

Our boulevard and side streets are extremely busy, so please remember to bike with traffic, walk and run against traffic, and observe all traffic regulations, including the Safe Passing Law (move over one lane for pedestrians or bikers, when possible, and slow down to 25 MPH if you cannot move over) and remember to stop for pedestrians at all street corners. Traffic, bike, and pedestrian activity is at its height now, so please all be safe and observe all regulations. PLEASE be especially careful on our side-streets where children play. Slow down….. Slow down…..PLEASE slow down.

Our HC Beach Patrol is fully staffed for July, thanks to great off-season recruitment and retention work put in by our Chief of Beach Operations Randy Townsend. The HC Beach Patrol is once again fully accredited, after a thorough observation, by the Ocean Lifesaving Association (OLA) and the US Lifeguard Association (USLA). Congratulations again to Chief Townsend for this well-deserved accomplishment.

 

I want to thank Chief Burnaford for continuing his excellent community relations. In June, Chief Burnaford took part in “Ride To School With The Chief” giving some students quite the thrill of being taken to school in a police vehicle by the Chief of Police! 

 

Chief Burnaford was also once again the “go-to” official when radio station 94.3fm (The Point) did an interview about "Summer Safety Tips.” Our Chief gave a great interview, stressing everything from bike safety, water safety, including rip currents, and more. We should be proud that organizations and businesses turn to Harvey Cedars when they need expert opinions and advice.

 

Speaking of Community Relations, The Harvey Cedars Police Department will be hosting Coffee with a Cop again this Summer. The first will be at Neptune Market on July 14th from 8:00 am-10:00 am, followed by Birdy’s Cafe on July 22nd from 8:00 am-10:00 am, and then at Agnello’s Cafe on the Cove on August 18th, 8:00 am-10:00 am.  I encourage every resident to stop by and meet our dedicated officers.   

 

I was happy to see so many HC residents at the Harvey Cedars Taxpayers Association social event at Sunset Park. Another great event by the HCTA. Thanks!

 

Finally, please be aware that illegal fireworks will not be tolerated.  A notice stating such will be on the boulevard signboard and posted on our social media platforms.