Village officials sworn in

The genteel annual swearing in of the trustees and other village posts was overshadowed by residents who voiced concerns on a number of matters at the Atlantic Beach organizational meeting on Monday.

After the pledge of allegiance, Alison Lewis stood at the front of the room with her right hand raised and recited the oath of office as she was reappointed as associate village justice. Trustees Andrew Rubin and Danae Muddiman were then sworn in simultaneously by village attorney Charles Kovit as well.

After the brief ceremony the floor was opened to public comment. There were complaints about the noise created by landscapers working, the lack of lifeguards at Clearwater Beach Club and smoking on the beach. Village officials said they will look into all three issues.

It was the first meeting since the roadwork on Ocean Boulevard was completed. One resident said they believe there’s been an increase in speeding on the roadway, he asked if there were any speed limit signs up along the road. Mayor George Pappas said there are, but that they would look into the possibility of adding more

The village also changed the parking on the street from along the shoulders to up the center median. One resident who lives on Hamilton Avenue said that the new configuration has made it more difficult for visitors. “There’s been a five- spot reduction in total,” Pappas said, he added that this was the first complaint they’ve heard about this, but they would look into increasing the number of parking exemptions each resident is allowed.

The board approved several resolutions unanimously. They noted the overnight beach campout on July 22 (for residents only), and a free concert the village plans to host next month.