SPRING 2026

As we welcome the arrival of spring here in Oceanport, it is hard not to reflect on the winter we have just endured. It was a season marked by bitter cold, steady snowfall, and challenging conditions that tested us all. Through it all, our Borough was kept safe and moving thanks to the dedication and tireless efforts of our Department of Public Works. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our DPW staff for the countless hours spent plowing and salting our roads, often working through the night to ensure our residents could travel safely.

I would also like to recognize and thank our Police Department, as well as our volunteer emergency services, OEM, Fire, and EMS, for their continued commitment to protecting our community. Their professionalism and willingness to serve, no matter the conditions, are what makes Oceanport “A Great Place to Live”.

With the change in seasons comes more time spent outdoors. Our parks are once again filled with children playing, families gathering, and neighbors enjoying all that our community has to offer. As always, I ask that everyone please drive carefully throughout the Borough. Be mindful of increased pedestrian and bicycle activity, especially in and around our parks and residential neighborhoods. Safety remains a top priority for this administration, and we continue to explore ways to improve it.

One of the initiatives recently completed is the reduction of the speed limit along sections of Port Au Peck Avenue. This is part of a broader effort by the governing body to evaluate traffic patterns and enhance enforcement on roadways throughout Oceanport. We will continue to assess additional areas where similar measures may be necessary to ensure the safety of all residents.

Spring also brings with it an opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments of our community members, particularly our student-athletes. I am proud to recognize and congratulate the three Shore Regional HS girls’ varsity teams who captured championships this year in Soccer, Field Hockey, and Cross Country. These achievements are a testament to the hard work, discipline, and teamwork of these young athletes. It was an honor to present each team with a Proclamation at a recent Council Meeting.

I would also like to highlight the incredible high school basketball career of Oceanport’s own Ava Coyle. Ava finished her career with an impressive 1,208 total points, making her the fifth-leading scorer in Shore Regional history. Beyond basketball, Ava has excelled as a multi-sport athlete while also staying active in our community, including spending time gardening with the Oceanport Garden Club. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments and wish her all the best as she continues her academic and athletic journey at Gettysburg College.

Continuing with our local sports pride, congratulations are also in order for the Maple Place Boys Chargers Basketball Team on their recent championship victory, their first in 16 years. This team was led by Oceanport’s own Michael Birnbaum, a Maple Place graduate from the Class of 1993. His leadership and dedication have clearly made an impact, and it is exciting to think this may be the first of many championships to come. It is also worth noting, with a bit of friendly humor, that perhaps the mentorship of the well-known Donny Brocklebank is finally starting to pay dividends.

While we enjoy these lighter moments, we also remain focused on important matters that will shape the future of our Borough. One such topic is the ongoing discussion surrounding Monmouth Park. The developer, along with Dennis Drazin, recently presented Phase 2 of the proposed expansion. As many of you recall, Phase 1 included plans for 298 age-restricted residential units along Port Au Peck and Oceanport Avenue. That phase has been delayed, as construction was originally expected to begin last summer.

Phase 2 introduces new concepts, including a proposed hotel and a multi-use youth sports complex aimed at creating a destination that will help sustain and enhance the racetrack’s operations. Additionally, it was noted that approval has been granted to potentially add 200 more residential units to the property. While there are no immediate plans to move forward with those additional units, I want to be very clear: the position of this governing body is firm: no more housing. We are committed to preserving Monmouth Park as a park, maintaining its character, and ensuring it remains a valuable asset for our community. I will continue to keep residents informed as these discussions progress. Please be sure to check the Borough website and our social media pages for updates, as well as future Mayor’s Messages.

Another major development advancing rapidly is the Netflix project. Construction is moving along at an impressive pace, with the shell of the first sound stage already completed. All four sound stages are expected to be up by the end of this summer, with Phase 1 of the Oceanport parcel anticipated to be completed by the summer of 2027. This project represents a significant investment in our community and will bring new opportunities while preserving the unique character of our Borough.

In addition, residents should be aware of upcoming infrastructure work. The TRWRA contractor will soon be mobilizing at Sommers Boy Scout Park to complete the sewer tunneling project. This will involve 24-hour operations throughout the month of May. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Meanwhile, New Jersey American Water and New Jersey Natural Gas are completing infrastructure improvements in the Blackberry Bay Park neighborhood, Burnt Mill Circle, and Elizabeth Drive. Paving is expected to begin in June, covering over four miles of roadway across Oceanport.

Before closing, I would like to recognize a truly meaningful community effort. August “Augie” Zilincar has undertaken a remarkable project documenting and interviewing our local veterans, helping to preserve and share their stories for future generations. This work, which reflects both dedication and respect, was the final step in his journey to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. We invite all residents to join us at the Council Meeting on May 28, 2026 (subject to change, please check the Borough website) as we present Augie with a Citation in recognition of his outstanding contribution.

I would also like to extend a very special birthday wish to Sue Sherrill of the Oceanport Garden Club as she celebrates her 105th birthday on April 13th. What an incredible milestone and a testament to a life well lived within our community.

As we move further into spring, I look forward to seeing everyone out and about enjoying our parks, supporting local events, and spending time with friends and neighbors. Oceanport continues to thrive because of the people who call it home.

As always, I am proud to say that Oceanport is truly “A Great Place to Live.”

Thomas J. Tvrdik

Mayor, Borough of Oceanport