Exactly 100 years to the day the New Jersey Legislature incorporated the borough of Ship Bottom, known then as Ship Bottom-Beach Arlington, Mayor William Huelsenbeck and members of the governing body on March 3 opened a centennial year of celebrations with a ribbon cutting at the municipal complex.

“This day sets the stage for a yearlong celebration,” he said to a round of applause and shouts as a crowd gathered outside the front door on the west side of borough hall.