Atlantic Beach Sets Forth Plans to Revitilize Village After Irene

Although Atlantic Beach is in the process of closing their beaches for the winter, the village’s Public Works and Building Department are filing FEMA paperwork for funding repairs of damages still left behind from Hurricane Irene.

It has removed damaged trees along Ocean Boulevard, restored sidewalks and replaced flooded sprinkler systems damaged from the storm. The department is banking on $200,000 in additional funding from FEMA to complete its shortlist of road repairs and restoration projects. 

Some of these projects include a parking lot restoration, patching up damages to the boardwalk and storm drain repairs along the Reynolds Channel. 

According to Public Works Superintendent Steve Cherson, government funding will cover 75 percent of the remaining projects, the state is responsible for 12 percent and the rest will come from local taxpayers.

“If they approve it, it's a pay out,” he said optimistically. “However, right now there's really no rush for anything because we're moving towards the winter.” 

Cherson and his team are currently paving roads, preparing for a water main overhaul starting on Vernon Avenue and also beginning several additional village beautification projects, including adding new benches to the boardwalk with hopes of getting the beach back to where it was at the start of the summer.

Police Report

The Fourth Precinct handed out just 19 speeding tickets in Atlantic Beach during September, once again infuriating Mayor Stephen Mahler.

“This is a serious thing,” Mahler explained. “All I ever asked of them as mayor is an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening.”

This time last year the Fourth Precinct gave 91 speeding tickets in September, according to the Atlantic Beach trustees, and today the board is speculating why.

“In dealing with police all my life, you risk the backlash of speaking out,” Mahler said. “Eventually you have to stand up and be heard.”

Mahler and the trustees are continuing to seek a solution to their demands.

Wind Farm

A plan for a wind farm power plant about 13 to 17 miles from the shores of Atlantic Beach was proposed a few weeks ago, the South Shore Standard reported.

The Long Island-New York City Offshore Wind Project, who submitted the proposal, said the farm would produce enough power to light up about 280,000 homes a year.

Mahler told the paper he thinks the project is a good idea, but has to get more information about it.

Atlantic Beach 50th Anniversary

Atlantic Beach trustees announced the 50th Anniversary Committee and their plans to hold a celebration commemorating Atlantic Beach’s 50th year as an incorporated village.

The celebration is currently scheduled for Thursday, June 21, at 4 p.m. at the Sunny Atlantic Beach Club.

To find out more about this event, come to the next Atlantic Beach Board of Trustees meeting on Nov 14.