By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Two new Bradley Beach Borough Councilmen took their seats on the council at the Nov. 25 meeting.
Former Councilman Salvatore Galassetti and newcomer Harold Cotler were both elected Nov. 4 to fill unexpired terms.
One of the first things the new council voted on was the new discount for seasonal beach badges.
Normally the badges are sold at the discounted price of $35 during the holiday season.
This year badges will be sold from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31 for $45, a $20 discount on the $65 badge.
Mayor Julie Schreck said that although beach revenues exceeded the projected $931,000 in badge sales, there were other shortfalls in revenues.
Schreck also proposed a Dec. 24 deadline for the discounted badges, but other council members wanted to extend the sale until Dec. 31 as in past years. She noted office staff would be busy the last week of the year closing out yearly business.
Council President Lori Marchak said the deadline should remain Dec. 31 this year, but could be changed next year after being publicized.
“It’s a huge amount of start up money for our budget,” she said.
Beach budget discussions also included getting rid of the parking meters at the beachfront.
Galassetti said the move may bring more people to the beachfront.
Pat D’Angelo, a resident, said the meters should remain active because they are paid for, making them profitable for the borough.
“Don’t forget the money from tickets,” he said.
Last year the borough took in $46,000 from parking ticket violations.
D’Angelo said he believed there were other reasons leading to the shortfalls including the implementation of free parking and half price badges on Wednesdays.
The program started in August of last year had mixed results, mainly due to rainy weather on three of the five Wednesdays involved.
Sarah Strasser, a resident, said offering the badges at half price is a way of saying thanks to the residents of the town. She also believed the badges should be sold until Dec. 31.
“What’s one more week, all you are doing is making enemies,” she said.
Harvey Rosenberg, another resident, said the borough should keep the free Wednesday program next year, but make sure it is marketed properly.
“It brings in other revenue, marketing makes money,” he said.
Ken Hopf, McCabe Avenue, said the golf course on the boardwalk should be updated to attract patrons.
Referencing Asbury Park and Long Branch, Hopf questioned why people would come to play at a 35-year-old miniature golf course when there are brand new ones in the area.
Schreck did not get a second to her motion to appoint an attorney for the Bradley Beach Public Library.
The library board agreed to hire attorney James Plosia to represent them at its meeting Nov. 24. He will be paid $175 per hour not to exceed $5000 and the money will come from library funds.
Council members said they did not want to set a precedent of voting on appointments made by other boards in town.
Borough Attorney Patrick Diegnan said he believed it was good practice for the borough to also vote on such appointments.
“I’ve always believed it was good practice…for transparency,” he said.
“I don’t see the purpose of voting if it’s coming out of their funds – something we have no control over,” Marchak said.
Email to joanne@thecoaster.net.
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