MARGATE – The city is currently looking for a few families who previously purchased memorial benches on the municipal pier on Washington Avenue to honor loved ones, and may accept new sponsorships if families do not renew for another five-year period.
The memorial bench program includes installation of a brass plaque on the back of the bench to honor a family member or loved one.
Years ago, the city was able to secure sponsorships for 10 benches, but the benches have worn out and are being replaced. Replacing the aging benches is part of an ongoing maintenance program that included repainting the light standards and repairing railings.
Past participants paid $1,000 to purchase a bench and get a plaque installed for a 10-year period, but the benches are in bad shape and are being replaced with new recycled plastic ones.
City employees who oversaw the memorial bench program no longer work for the city and it has been difficult to locate sponsorship records, officials said.
According to Recycling Coordinator Anthony Edge, some of the families have agreed to continue their sponsorships for another five years, but the city has been unable to track down four families to determine their interest. Edge said he hopes to get in touch with them before the renewal deadline on Oct. 1.
At that point, other members of the public will be able to request sponsorships.
Although the city instituted the bench program in other locations, the pier is the only location where the bench program is in effect at this time.
“We no longer have the program on the beach overpasses,” Edge said.
Edge said all the plaques have been removed from the old benches and are sitting on his desk in his office.
“Most of the families got back to me and some are still deciding if they will renew,” he said.
A flyer has been posted on the city’s social media pages alerting families they have until Oct. 1 to notify the city of their intention to renew the sponsorship by paying a new fee. At that point, the program will be opened to the public for new sponsorships.
For information about the program, contact Anthony Edge at 609-822-5038.
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