BAY HEAD — The borough of Bay Head has been redesignated as a healthy town again for the fourth year in a row.
At the council meeting on March 3, Mayor Bill Curtis announced that Bay Head has been recognized as a healthy town. Bay Head earned a Healthy Town designation for 2024, via initiatives like Stevie’s Cupboard to address food insecurity and provide resources. The borough also supported Point Pleasant Beach in launching its own Mayors Wellness Campaign, strengthening neighboring health efforts. Events like the Mayor’s Chili Cook-off further connected residents while supporting local food security.
Bay Head first was recognized as a healthy town in 2011, and then received the award in 2020, and has been designated as a healthy town ever since, earning this designation four years in a row. The borough has earned this designation from the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes healthy living throughout the state.
The Mayors Wellness Campaign is a statewide community health initiative that provides evidence-based tools and strategies for mayors and community leaders to help their residents achieve healthier lifestyles and to improve overall health and wellness in their communities. The Bay Head campaign hosts many events throughout the year, including the Mayors Walk and Talks and the Mayors Cup kayak races.
This campaign has existed in Bay Head for many years, but it was not until 2007 when the borough joined the New Jersey state Mayors Wellness Campaign. Mayor Curtis thanked the original leaders of this group Tom and Charlie Charlton, who were present at the March 3 meeting, for doing such an “outstanding job getting this program off the ground.”
The mayor continued, “When they decided to step down, I was very concerned because I considered the Mayors Wellness Campaign, a volunteer group, one of the best, if not the best, committee that Bay Head had. They did so many things, so I was fearful they would die on the vine, but thank goodness Meryl Clement and Sarah Erbe stepped up and have had a seamless transition to keep this thing going into the program that it is today.”
“Bay Head is extremely pleased to be once again named a Healthy Town,” said Mayor Curtis. “The many programs and topics of discussion they come up with each year involve all age groups in town and stress physical and mental wellness for all residents of and visitors to Bay Head.”
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