Beach badge sales for the 2015 summer season have been booming. As of Aug. 8, Borough Councilman John Lamia said that Sea Bright has had 46,482 beach badges come through borough beaches — 12,936 season badges; 32,641 daily badges; 1,623 senior badges presented; and 266 military complementary badges.
“We have had 3,560 visitors present their beach badges at Anchorage Beach,” he said.
In April, borough officials made the decision to charge for access to Anchorage Beach on Saturdays and Sundays when lifeguards would be stationed on the beach.
Lamia also added that the borough has had 60 SeaStreak riders visit since the passenger ferry service added Sea Bright as a destination in July.
Acting Business Administrator Joseph Verruni said at a Borough Council workshop meeting on Aug. 13 that weekends in the borough this summer have been “tremendous” and reminded council members that it is important to keep track of beach-related expenditures like lifeguards on duty, parking attendants and more.
Beach Administrator Don Klein along with Councilman John Lamia and the borough clerk’s office worked to create a spreadsheet to break down the number of beach badges presented at beaches.
Verruni said a downside of beach badge sales this season has been the sale of 716 beach badges at half price — discounted from $100 to $50 — after the preseason sale.
“The loss in revenue was $36,000,” he said.
Verruni suggested either limiting beach badge preseason sales to the period from Dec. 1 to March 31 or shortening the period of preseason sales.
“We need to hold firm to the dates selected,” he said.
Since superstorm Sandy, the beach badge presales have kept on rising.
In 2013, the borough sold 1,200 beach badges, and 1,500 badges were sold in 2014. This year, 2,400 were sold preseason.
The summer season — Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day — beach badge season fees are $100, or $8 for a daily pass that includes weekends. Season badges for senior citizens (age 65 or older) and persons with disabilities are $35 each.
Mayor Dina Long said the Beach Committee will further discuss preseason sale dates.