Belmar Students Attend Council Meeting

Students at Belmar Elementary School had a chance to see government in action on Wednesday, as the Belmar Mayor and Council held their first meeting of June in the school auditorium.

"You're a very important part of this community," Mayor Matt Doherty said. "You're the future of Belmar."

Students watched as the governing body went about their usual business— approving minutes, passing resolutions and discussing matters around town. At the end, the children were given the opportunity to voice their own opinions with many of the students focusing on matters regarding the beaches.

Spencer Wescott asked the governing body if it was possible for local people to get free beach badges.

"Unfortunately," Doherty said "the state of New Jersey will not permit that." 

Doherty went on to explain that all students in attendance, being under 15, are permitted onto Belmar's beaches for free. Upon hearing this, the children broke into applause.

Another student asked if it was possible to lower beach badge prices.

"We haven't our beach badges in several years," Doherty said, explaining that for a family of four, a trip to the beach in Belmar was cheaper than going to the movies.

"Property tax payers, your moms and dads, would have to pay more to cover the shortfall," Doherty added.

Hannah Pringle asked the governing body about the possibility of opening another of the borough's beaches for surfing.

"We have so many bathers," Councilman Brian Magovern said, explaining that given that the majority of people who use Belmar's beaches do so for bathing, not surfing, the lifeguard captain feel it's the appropriate course of action.

A question from another student regarded family activities in the borough. 

When asked by Doherty if they felt there wasn't a lot for children to do in town, the students let out a resounding "yes."

Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay then explained that the borough has begun to re-establish its youth club, and will be offering activities for borough children.

She added that the borough offers a number of recreational sports and would be showing movies on the beach this summer.

When student Fiona Mahoney asked about deteriorating conditions at some of the borough's parks, borough administrator Robbin Kirk explained that the borough was in the process of replacing much of the playground equipment in local parks.

Kyle Jones, another student, asked the governing body about the possibility of holding a competition at the borough's skate park on 16th Avenue.

"I don't see why we couldn't," Doherty answered, explaining that they would need to work together with the Belmar Recreation Department to see that done.

The mayor then asked Jones if he thought he could win. When he answered affirmatively, the room again broke out into applause.

While the mayor and council seemed to have a satisfying answer to all of the students' queries, there was one question that left all on the dais stumped.

One student asked if there was any way they could make the Nintendo 3DS cheaper. 

"I only wish we had that power," Doherty said.