Avalon Closes Beaches, Fields, Boardwalk

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AVALON – Mayor Martin Pagliughi announced the town’s beaches, boardwalk, fields and kayak park will close, effective April 7, in a statement.
According to the release, Pagliughi issued his second directive to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The second directive relies on executive and administrative orders issued by the State of New Jersey and prohibits all short-term rentals indefinitely, and prohibits non-essential visitation not exempted by gubernatorial executive order.  
Additionally, all public beaches, boardwalk, recreational fields, playgrounds, and the kayak park are closed until further notice. The directive includes restrictions on municipally-operated marinas.  The Borough has cancelled all special events up until Memorial Day weekend.
“Avalon must make these difficult decisions as federal, state, and county leaders all stress that social distancing and stay at home orders are necessary to get through this pandemic”, Pagliughi stated.  “There will be a time when properties can be rented, and visited freely, but that time is not now.  I’m asking every property owner and rental platform to strictly adhere to these painful but necessary executive orders and directives as health and safety are our only priorities at this time”.
Restrictions at Bay Park Marina and the Sports Fishing Center are delineated in the directive.  
“Simply stated, for now, Avalon is not open for business.  The same, or greater, restrictions that are in place for renters and property owners at their primary homes are also in place for Avalon.  We will take responsible, necessary steps to ensure that stay at home orders are followed.  Stay at home means just that, stay at your primary residence”.
Avalon has also cancelled special events leading up to Memorial Day weekend, including the Avalon Garden Club Plant Sale and annual Yard Sale; bulk trash collection; the community paper shredding day; police department surplus auction; the fire department hoagie and plant sale; and the Avalon Chamber of Commerce Wine and Spirits Festival.  
Previously, the Borough cancelled AHLOA’s “Community Connections”; Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep; Easter Egg Scramble; and Arbor Day celebration, among others.  
The spring bulk trash pickup will be re-scheduled for mid-June.  Property owners are not to put bulk trash out to the curb until allowable per the rescheduled date, to be announced.  The community paper shredding day is postponed and will be held at a later date.
The next municipal court date is now scheduled for June 1, 2020.  April and May court dates have been cancelled.