Long Branch Beaches Have Record Summer

Long Branch beaches have had a banner summer this year, according to Long Branch Director of Finance Ron Mehlhorn.

The city took in $1,619,000 from beach badge revenue this summer, an all-time record.

Last year, revenue totaled approximately $1,300,000 for the entire summer.

Mehlhorn said the beach operated at a $100,000-$200,000 loss last year, and that this year, there will be no loss. He said he still has to fill out a profit/loss statement, but that he anticipates that the beach made a profit this year.

"We were definitely above expenditures this year," Mehlhorn said.

Mehlhorn said he believes there are several reasons for the record summer.

"We had great weather, we have great beaches, people seem to stay closer to home because of fiscal problems and Pier Village seems to attract people," Mehlhorn said.

Mehlhorn has said the increased beach fees "definitely contributed" to the summer's large amount of revenue.

Adult seasonal badges (ages 18-61) have risen from $35 to $45, and student seasonal badges (ages 14-17) were free, but the city now charges $30 for them,

Daily student badges were also free but have risen to $3 under the new ordinance. Adult daily badges have remained at $5 on weekdays but have gone up to $7 on weekends. 

Seasonal and daily badges are still free for seniors who are 62 and older and students 13 and younger who have valid forms of ID.

"We have to anticipate a lot of money from the beaches, especially wit the 2-percent levy cap," Mehlhorn said.

Mehlhorn said Hurricane Irene made one fo the final weeks of the beach season "a wash."

The city's beaches were closed on Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28 because of the hurricane and its after-effects, but reopened the next day.