SOMERS POINT — City Council is expected to address the process for presenting the annual summer beach concerts and the future of a volunteer commission when it meets Feb. 12.
The beach concert series is organized by Carmen and Nancy Marotta and their team and typically features 14 concerts — 13 Friday nights and the Fourth of July — at William Morrow Beach off Bay Avenue.
The popular series brings hundreds out to watch from the sandy shore of Great Egg Harbor Bay, along the fishing pier and from boats and kayaks out in the water.
Last year, after the city changed its relationship with the promoter to sever financial ties, solicitor Tom Smith had to review contracts for each performer and Mayor Dennis Tapp had to sign them, leading to a lot of work and expense.
City Council President Kirk Gerety suggested Jan. 22 that Tony Marts apply to the Recreation Board for a permit to use the facility for its concert lineup.
Following approval, the city would agree to be an in-kind sponsor, providing police protection and public works setup and cleanup.
“And then they sign a contract with the city, and that’s it,” Gerety said.
Future of EDAC
City Council is looking to change the mission of its Economic Development Advisory Commission, a 10-member volunteer body formed to advise officials on future and current conditions.
There seems to be a dispute about the board’s exact role. Council President Kirk Gerety said Jan. 22 “there was a severe disconnect between what EDAC wanted to do and what council thought they were going to do.”
He came up with some suggestions and Councilman Sean McGuigan was charged with taking those ideas and putting them in an ordinance to be introduced this week.
McGuigan said there may be a “more efficient or effective way to do economic development.”
He believes the board should be working to attract new businesses and driving commerce into the community.
Last year the board consisted of Chairman Chuck Westcott, Vice Chairman Rob Hopkins, John Helbig, Robert Phillips, William Dunfee, Denise Boyd, Levi Fox, Max Slusher, Adam Merilson and Gerety.
The terms of Hopkins, Boyd, Helbig and Fox expired Dec. 31, 2025. However, no new members were added and no existing members were reappointed for 2026 during the City Council reorganization meeting Jan. 2, nor has the meeting schedule been advertised.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
