By John Pacenti
Ocean Ridge is full speed ahead on replacing the town’s aging water pipes.
The Ocean Ridge Town Commission approved $1.9 million for the next phase of the water main infrastructure project spanning Ocean Avenue to Thompson Street, which has long-standing issues with water pressure and compromised fire protection capabilities.
The commission approved a motion at its Aug. 4 meeting to enter into a contract with Johnson-Davis Inc. as the lead design-build contractor for the Phase 4 water main modernization project.
The commission also passed a motion to move ahead with the Hudson Avenue sea wall. As of now, it will be a traditional sea wall, while staff continues to look into a living sea wall option that incorporates new technology with natural fauna.
Commissioner Carolyn Cassidy said she has been in touch with Texas-based Shoreline Erosion Control Solutions, which proposed the living sea wall, and was told it was still waiting on permitting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
State Sen. Lori Berman also spoke at the August meeting, saying $600,000 for the town’s water main replacement program was unexpectedly vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I still think it’s a project worth pursuing,” Berman said, recommending the town reapply in the next legislative session.
The Police Department also asked for a new off-road vehicle and a fully equipped police patrol vehicle. Additionally, the department is pursuing a comprehensive public safety software upgrade estimated at approximately $284,000.
Chief Scott McClure said that currently two companies provide the department’s computer dispatch and its records management system. “And they don’t talk to each other,” he said of the two systems. McClure is asking that the expenditure be added to the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Town Manager Michelle Heiser highlighted a significant grant victory — a $250,000 award from the state Division of Emergency Management to harden Town Hall. The grant will pay for window and door replacements and roof improvements, reducing the $590,000 project cost by nearly half.
The town is also navigating complex legislative preemptions affecting municipal operations.
Town Attorney Christy Goddeau noted new state regulations affecting areas like artificial turf installation — such as drainage requirements — for single-family residences and substantial improvement thresholds for construction projects.
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