Surfside makes Jay Matelis its permanent police chief

Jose “Jay” Matelis has been sworn in as Surfside’s permanent chief of police, according to the town’s November Gazette, posted Tuesday. Matelis had been interim chief since August.

The Gazette, the town’s own newsletter, is the source for this story; Red Sidewalks has not independently confirmed the date of the swearing-in. Mayor Shlomo Danzinger wrote that Matelis has been with the department for nearly two decades. The town said in August that he joined in 2008 and rose through the ranks from sergeant to major. Commissioner Gerardo Vildostegui wrote that the appointment was made by Acting Town Manager Sandra McCready, who is also the town clerk.

What else the commission did

A list of recent commission actions in the Gazette includes:

• Zoning: a first formal step to bring back the zoning rules that guided Surfside for decades, which the Gazette says is meant to protect the town from more legal exposure. It does not say which rules or when a final vote is due.
• Ocean House: a change to the development order for 9309–9317 Collins Ave. that requires the project to contribute to the town’s dune restoration work.
• Town Hall: the start of its 40-year recertification.
• Parks and streets: a new restroom at the Hawthorne Tot Lot and continued work on street lighting.
• Finance: continued outside finance help while the town brings two prior years of records up to date and a new finance director settles in.
• Communications: new policies for the Gazette and the town’s social media.

Coming up

The next regular commission meeting is Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., according to the Gazette’s calendar. Other dates: a Resort Tax Board meeting Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.; a police-escorted “Bike Bus” to Ruth K. Broad K-8 on Nov. 6 at 7:40 a.m.; a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m., when Town Hall will be closed; and a Special Master hearing Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The town says dates can change.