AVALON BEACHES AGAIN VOTED IN TOP TEN IN STATE OF NEW JERSEY

(Avalon, NJ)—For the second consecutive year, Avalon’s beaches have been voted among the Top Ten beaches in the entire state of New Jersey. This year, Avalon’s beaches were voted the tenth best in the state; in 2008, Avalon placed seventh in the statewide survey.

“Once again, we’re very pleased to be recognized as having one of the best beaches in the state of New Jersey,” said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “We are very happy to receive this designation on the verge of what should be an excellent Memorial Day Weekend, and a good summer for all beach resorts in the state of New Jersey.”

The announcement on the Top Ten beach list was made during a press conference on Tuesday, May 19th. The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium and New Jersey Sea Grant held an online vote for the top beaches in the state of New Jersey. The voting for the Top Ten beaches in New Jersey was part of the seventh annual State of the Shore Report put together by both organizations.

“Avalon is conducting another beach fill project in the north end of the Borough that will provide protection in the event of a coastal storm, and provide a recreational beach for our residents and visitors,” Pagliughi said. “Avalon will continue to pressure Governor Jon Corzine, and state lawmakers, to keep $25 million in funding for beach nourishment projects throughout the state in the new state budget”.

Avalon’s north end beach fill project has been suspended for the holiday weekend. Workers will continue to spread and grade the sand on the beaches between 9th Street and 18th Street until Thursday, May 21st. All heavy equipment is being removed from the Avalon beaches for the holiday. Work crews will again mobilize for the beach fill project on Tuesday, May 26th and more sand will be trucked into the resort starting on Wednesday, May 27th. The Borough is expected to follow this project, being conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, with another beach fill in the same area starting in the second week of June.

The Avalon Beach Patrol will provide some guarded beaches during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Starting on June 1, beach tags will once again be required for beach goers. Tags may be purchased at the beach tag booth next to the Avalon Community Hall, or starting on June 1 from beach tag checkers. Pre-season prices will be in effect through May 31st for Avalon beach tags. A seasonal tag costs $19, weekly tag $12, and a daily tag, $6. Reciprocity of beach tags is observed between Avalon and Stone Harbor.

AVALON MAYOR MARTIN PAGLIUGHI RECOGNIZED AT ENCORE AWARDS 2009

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi was recognized during the 14th Annual Paul Aiken Encore Awards 2009. The ceremony was held on Monday, May 18th, at the Grand Ballroom at Bally’s, Atlantic City. The award was presented to Pagliughi by the Bay Atlantic Symphony. He was unable to attend the ceremony due to a prior commitment; the award was accepted in the mayor’s behalf by Avalon Councilman Chuck Covington.

“This award is truly for all of the people in Avalon who have embraced the culture of the Bay Atlantic Symphony,” Pagliughi said. “The symphony has done an incredible job of entertaining thousands of people in Avalon with their classical music offerings. Simply put, Avalon is proud and honored to be the summer home of the Bay Atlantic Symphony, and we intend on keeping this relationship for many years to come.”

The Paul Aiken Encore Awards have become a cornerstone event of the cultural community in southern New Jersey and a time to showcase the excellence of arts, history, and cultural organizations. Each member of the South Jersey Cultural Alliance is allowed to honor one person or company; this year, the symphony honored Pagliughi for his efforts with providing a summertime home to the Bay Atlantic Symphony in Avalon.

This award was presented to Covington by Jed Gaylin, the Bay Atlantic Symphony Music Director. Pagliughi also received an official joint legislative commendation from New Jersey State Senator Jeff Van Drew, and Assemblymen Matthew Milam and Nelson Albano.

The Bay Atlantic Symphony will return for two performances in Avalon during the summer of 2009. On Saturday, July 18th, “1001 Nights Entertainment” will be presented and feature guest artist Ruotao Mao, on violin. On Saturday, August 22nd, the symphony will present “Mozart: Villains, Heroes, and Gods” featuring guest artist Brian Ganz on piano.

REPAIRS BEING MADE THIS WEEK TO SEWER LINE BREAK ON MAY 10TH

(Avalon, NJ)—Repairs are being made this week to a sewer line that broke Sunday afternoon, May 10th in Avalon.

A sewer line broke underneath of the street on the east side of Ocean Drive, between 38th and 39th streets around 3pm on Sunday. Avalon’s Acting Public Works Superintendent Bill Macomber reports that work on the sewer pipe continued on Monday, May 11th to replace the faulty sewer line. There was no leakage during the event.

Little to no interruption in water or sewer service is expected while the repairs are being made. The new pipe should be installed and functioning on Tuesday, May 11th. The project is being conducted by the New Jersey American Water Company.

A one-block section of Ocean Drive between 38th and 39th streets will be closed for three to four days, starting Monday, May 11th in order for the repairs to be made. The street will be closed from 7am-4pm, and accessible during the evening and early morning hours.

AVALON COMMEMORATING MEMORIAL DAY WITH BIG PARADE ON MAY 25^TH

(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon will wrap up the first holiday weekend of the summer of 2009 on Monday, May 25^th with one of the largest Memorial Day parades at the Jersey Shore.

Avalon’s parade will begin at 9am, and start at 34^th Street and Dune Drive. The parade will continue in a northbound direction on Dune Drive to the Veterans’ Plaza, located at 21^st Street. After the parade, a special Memorial Day ceremony will take place. Mayor Martin Pagliughi will deliver a message to the veterans. American Legion Post 331 will conduct the flag-raising and gun salute. Approximately 30 Borough of Avalon officials and civic leaders will participate in a formal presentation of wreaths in memory of those men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives for our country.

“Memorial Day is always a very special day for Avalon,” Pagliughi said. “Avalon is proud to honor our military heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy every day in the United States.”

Some of the participants in the Avalon Memorial Day Parade will be Miss Avalon, Kristie Lee Pawlus, the Cape Harmonaires Barber Shop Chorus, various civic organizations, along with police, fire and rescue from Avalon and Stone Harbor.

AVALON REMINDS LOCALS TO USE CONTAINERS FOR GRASS CLIPPINGS

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon’s Department of Public Works reminds homeowners to use containers for their grass clippings.

Brush and grass clippings will be picked up on Thursdays. The use of plastic bags and paper bags for these clippings is prohibited. The clippings need to be placed in “re-useable containers” and placed at the curb for proper pickup and disposal.

AVALON NORTH END BEACH FILL PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

(Avalon, NJ) - A big beach fill project in the north end of Avalon is slightly ahead of schedule despite some rainy weather that has dominated the work. A report on the progress of the beach fill was delivered during the Wednesday, May 6^th council meeting at Avalon Borough Hall.

According to the report prepared by Avalon Engineer Thomas Thornton of Hatch Mott MacDonald, approximately 68,000 tons of sand has been delivered to the beaches between 9^th and 18^th Streets in Avalon since the project began on April 15^th. The contractor has averaged approximately 5,000 tons of new sand per day. At this rate, the final quantity of 140,000 tons is projected to be completed by June 4^th. Crews are delivering sand to the north end beaches Monday through Thursdays; no work is being done Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Sand is being trucked in to Avalon and brought to street ends at 10^th, 12^th, and 15^th Streets, covering the rocks, and a partial berm of varying widths. The material has been examined, and is of very good quality and virtually free of deleterious materials. So far, very little sand that has been placed on the beach has been lost due to storms or tidal events.

Avalon expects to continue this beach fill project with its own project. On Thursday morning, May 7^th, a bid opening event will take place at Avalon’s Borough Hall for a second phase of the beach fill. The Borough intends to add another 80,000 tons of sand to the project being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which would represent a 60% increase in the total scope of the beach fill. A total of eight contractors have purchased bid documents for the Borough project. It’s anticipated that the bid will be awarded during the Avalon Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, May 13^th.

AVALON POLICE DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE BICYCLE FROM NEUMANN FOUNDATION

(Avalon, NJ)—The Avalon Police Department is one of 90 police departments in the state of New Jersey to receive a brand new Cannondale bicycle from the Neumann Foundation. The Foundation made the announcement this week as part of its “20th Anniversary 101 Bike Awards”.

“This is a very special day for the Avalon Police Department,” said Avalon Police Chief David Dean. “Our department is very thankful for the donation, and especially proud of our Administrative Sergeant, David Lutes, for applying for the bicycle through the Neumann Foundation program.”

Chief Dean and Administrative Sergeant Lutes will be attending a donation ceremony on Wednesday, May 20th, at 1pm at the Parsippany PAL Complex for the bike presentation. Avalon’s full-time bicycle officers are Matthew Sykes and David Glassford. Representatives from all 90 police departments in New Jersey will be attending the event and getting their free bikes.

Over the last 20 years, The Neumannn Foundation has donated 101 Cannondale mountain bikes to police departments throughout the state of New Jersey. Through the generous support of an anonymous donor, the Foundation was able to donate an additional 101 bikes in 2009. The Foundation awarded the bicycles based on information submitted on the grant application describing their bike programs and current needs.

“I applaud our Administrative Sergeant, David Lutes, for taking the time to make this application,” Dean said. “This new Cannondale bike will compliment our summertime bike patrol which deals with quality of life issues in Avalon, including noise and alcohol-related complaints. Thanks to the work of Sergeant Lutes, we’ll have another means to get around Avalon that will benefit the entire community.”

The Neumann Foundation honors and remembers Essex County Patrolman Keith E. Neumann, who lost his life on August 3,
1989 during an accidental shooting incident. Neumann died at the age of 24 after serving his police department for three years.