Mayor
September 25, 2026
Dear Friends,
We’ve had a couple days of wind and flooding, and it looks like we have a couple more ahead of us. Street flooding is predicted in the hours around high tide at 8:11 p.m. this evening, 8:31 a.m. and 8:50 p.m. tomorrow, and 9:09 a.m. Sunday. Please don’t be caught off-guard. When the wind blows from the north and northeast for extended periods, as they have this week, the tides stack up in the back bay and in the lowest parts of the island.
The latest information on the forecast, tide times, water level predictions and safe parking is always available at ocnj.us/oem. All of our municipal parking lots will be free this weekend.
The beach patrol cleared their equipment off the beaches earlier this week. The Public Works team is keeping our outfalls clear, and all of our other storm preparations are in place. All of our pumping stations are ready and operational.
The city’s outdoor recreation programs and activities for the weekend are canceled, but open play on Sunday inside the Civic Center will go on as scheduled. The MS Bike City to Shore Ride that had been scheduled for this weekend also has been canceled.
Please check on your neighbors who may not be in town. Make sure everything is secure in their yards and on their docks. And please check on any neighbor who may need help. That’s what our community is all about.
I will provide further updates as needed throughout the weekend.
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City Council approved a resolution last night to seek bids for the Shooting Island restoration project. We have a $5 million DEP grant to restore the tidal marsh there.
The work will restore habitat for plants and wildlife. It will rebuild a buffer against coastal flooding. And it will provide a beneficial way to use material dredged from the city’s lagoons and waterways.
I met with the DEP commissioner on Thursday, and he is fully supportive of this project. He made a commitment to advocate for us in obtaining the required Army Corps permits necessary to move forward.
Any potential contract would be contingent on obtaining these permits. But we want to have everything in place, so we can move forward with this important project once they come through.
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Council also approved a contract for a road construction project on Wesley Avenue from 1st Street to 6th Street.
We have an NJ DOT municipal aid grant to help pay for the portion from 1st Street to 5th Street.
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I had the honor last night of attending a reception at the American Legion for the participants in the Run for the Fallen. Runners are completing a 225-mile journey through New Jersey to honor service members killed in the War on Terror. The runners started in Cape May Point on Thursday morning and finished their first day in Ocean City. The team stops at a Hero Marker on each mile to make a presentation to family and friends of the fallen service members.
I want to thank the Ocean City Fishing Club for hosting one of the stops at the 14th Street Pier, and, of course, I want to thank our American Legion for sponsoring the dinner. This is the 18th year for the event in New Jersey. I’m proud that Ocean City is always so supportive of our veterans.
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Stay safe this weekend. I hope you get to spend time with family and friends.
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
