Hopeful for Hot Finish to Summer

It hasn't been a bad summer, but with beach badge revenues down slightly from 2011, it's fair to say township officials are hoping for a few sunny weeks to finish out the season.

Toms River Township Administrator Paul Shives says beach badge revenues are down about 4 percent, from $605,000 at this point last year to $582,000 this year.

"The rain has had an impact," he said.

But he was quick to say he feels it's been a good summer.

"The Bey Lea (golf course) numbers are up," he said. "More rounds of golf have been played this year and a lot of those people don't live here."

But he would like to see a little more sunshine in the weeks between now and Labor Day weekend, and not a repeat of 2011, when Hurricane Irene put an end to summer for most people.

"These revenues are more weather dependent than anything," he said. "A bad week, especially one at the end of the season, can really hurt."

Daily beach badges cost $7, while weekly badges cost $25. Seniors pay a one-time fee of $15 for a lifetime pass.