Bradley Beach to vote on form of government switch

Voters in Bradley Beach will decide in November whether to adopt a Council-Manager form of government, as recommended by the local Charter Study Commission in a 4-1 vote.

The panel found that the current “strong mayor” system, approved in 1992, places an excessive concentration of power in the hands of a mayor and lacks a robust system of checks and balances, which could lead to poor communication.

The recommendation makes the mayor more ceremonial, and retains the non-partisan form of government with staggered four-year terms.  The mayor would be directly elected.

In 2024, 60% of voters approved a referendum to study the charter.

One commission member, Thomas Coan, voted against the plan, saying the recommendation was an overly reactive move following Larry Fox’s time as mayor.  Coan opposed giving an unelected manager too much power.