Long Branch Council Passes Ordinance That Will Raise Beach Fees

Some Long Branch beach badge fees will be on the rise this summer as the Long Branch Council adopted an ordinance at its meeting Tuesday night that will increase some fees and create others.

Under the new ordinance, adult seasonal badges (ages 18-61) would rise from $35 to $45 according to Councilwoman Joy Bastelli. Student seasonal badges (ages 14-17) were free, but the city will be charging $30 for them this summer.

Daily student badges were also free but will rise to $3 under the new ordinance. Adult daily badges will remain at $5 on weekdays but go up to $7 on weekends. 

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

Bastelli said the reason for the increase in beach badge costs is that the city did not cover its beach operation expenses last year. 

Several residents spoke on Tuesday night and said they were upset about adding the beach badge fee for students.

Bastelli said students who are at least 13 years old can work, including babysitting and mowing lawns, and can afford $3 for a daily badge.

Council President Michael Sirianni agreed with Bastelli and said raising fees was necessary.

"When you are working at a negative, you have to recoup something," Sirianni said. 

Mayor Adam Schneider said that although the city is increasing beach badge fees, Long Branch's prices are "still the lowest in Monmouth County in terms of what we charge people to get on the beach."

"We are still trying to make it an affordable day, and I think we have," Schneider said.

Seasonal beach badges in nearby Sea Bright were $100 and $8 for daily badges in 2010. In Asbury Park, 2010 seasonal badges were set at $65 and $5 for daily badges. Ocean Grove seasonal badges were $70 and daily badges were $7 on weekdays and $12 on weekends in 2010. 

Seasonal Long Branch beach badges go on sale on May 1 at the Long Branch Recreation Office at 3 Bay Ave.