Council to Vote Today on Beach Badge Increase

It may cost $2 more for a daily beach badge for Toms River’s beaches when the Township Council votes on its beach fees March 8.

Recreation Director Eric J. Schubiger said the raise is to both cover the costs of operating the Shelter Cove and Ortley beaches and comes after staff compared the township’s beach badge fees with other townships.

“We took a look at where we were versus other towns and came in on the low side,” he said.

While a season pass purchased before Memorial Day will remain $35, the costs of a weekday and weekend badge could increase to $7 and $8, which is $2 more than last year. Season badges bought after Memorial Day will cost $50, and senior badges are free. A weekly beach badge is also available for $25.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on an ordinance establishing the beach badge fees before the township council votes at its next Township Council meeting, 7 p.m. March 8 in Town Hall.

When the ordinance was introduced, Councilmen Brian Kubiel and George Wittmann both voted no.

Kubiel said he needed more information before voting, so he voted no.

Wittmann said he believes the increase is not appropriate.

“I believe this is supposed to be revenue neutral, to cover the costs of operation, not to generate revenue,” Wittmann said, adding that Toms River’s beach badges should be lower than other towns.

“We are not comparable to a Seaside, to a Point Pleasant,” Wittmann said, adding that in this economy family’s recreation dollars and vacation budgets are already stretched. “Two dollars, that’s a 40 percent increase.”

After this week’s Recreation Commission meeting, Schubiger said the increase will mostly affect daytrippers coming to Ortley Beach, as opposed to residents who may buy a season pass. The season rate is staying the same, he said, and provides access to Ortley Beach beaches and the Shelter Cove bay beach in East Dover.

In 2010, neighboring beaches badges were $5 a day at Seaside Heights, $7 a day at Lavallette, and for Island Beach State Park is $6 weekdays and $10 on weekends.

Jenkinson’s Beach in Point Pleasant Beach is $7 weekdays and $8 weekends, while Manasquan is $8.