Belmar Council To Vote on 2013 Beach Badge Prices

With the borough working aggressively to rebuild its boardwalk, Belmar will vote today to keep beach badge costs at 2012 prices.

Belmar mayor and council had originally thought an increase was necesary to cover the cost of debris removal and boardwalk rebuild. The Belmar boardwalk was all but totally destroyed in Hurricane Sandy.

With a bid to rebuild coming in less than half the estimated cost, today's meeting will instead feature a resolution that keeps beach badges at the same price.

Beach badges are $50 for a seasonal pass; $15 for seniors; $7 daily; free for children 15 and younger and active duty military and their families

Earlier in December, mayor and council considered a $1 increase to daily and a $5 increase to seasonal badges.

Belmar planned to spend $17 million to rebuild its boardwalk, destroyed in Hurricane Sandy. The borough approved a $6.59 million contract for Epic Construction to rebuild the boardwalk as it was, but with increased hurricane protection.

Mayor and council aim to have the boardwalk open by Memorial Day, in what Mayor Matt Doherty called an aggressive push to be at the front of the line of towns hoping to rebuild their boardwalk.

On today's meeting agenda, in addition to setting the 2013 beach badge rates, the borough council will also vote to waive construction fees through June 30.

The borough previously voted to waive construction fees to ease the rebuilding costs for residents affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The meeting is at 10 a.m. in borough hall.