Borough Explores More Ways to Sell Beach Badges

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By Liz Sheehan
SEA BRIGHT – In an effort to accommodate its beachgoers, most of whom live out of town, the borough will offer sales of half-price passes for the 2017 season on four Saturdays, from Dec 1 through March 31.
Previously, the bargain prices for the passes were available only on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“People should not have to take a day off to get a beach pass,” said Borough Clerk Christine Pfeiffer.
Last summer, 70,752 beachgoers visited the town’s beach. “We get the overflow from Sandy Hook,” Pfeiffer said.
Passes will be sold 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Borough Hall on December 17, January 21, February 18 and March 18.
The cost of regular beach passes will be priced at $100, the same as last season. But there is a 50 percent discount for patrons 16 through 64 when purchased between Dec. 1 and March 31.
Those 65 years and older or disabled pay a discounted rate of $35 at all times.
There is no fee for children under 11 or for active military personnel or their family members. Locker rentals will cost $250.
Costs for going to the beach in the town jumped sharply last year when the borough installed a metered parking system costing a dollar an hour, in parking lots that had long been free.
The borough is exploring the idea of an electronic beach badge system which will allow visitors to purchase season, daily or special entrance passes with a mobile device, such as a smart phone. Users can flash the beach badge from their mobile phones when necessary. Similar systems are in use at Manaquan and Asbury Park.
Borough Administrator Joseph Verruni said that there would be no cost to the town for the use of the service but users would pay a small fee.