By PETE WALTON
Municipal taxes will not increase for the second year in a row, according to Bradley Beach Mayor Gary Engelstad.
The borough’s new auditor says Bradley Beach’s fiscal condition is “extremely strong,” the mayor said at this week’s Borough Council meeting.
Engelstad noted that the borough has a 99 percent tax collection rate and low debt.
The final workshop meeting on the budget will take place Tues., March 7.. The mayor said the budget should be introduced at the March 14meeting with a public hearing on March 28.
The council unanimously approved bonding in the amount of $2.85 million for sewer improvements in the southern portion of the borough.
Councilman Randy Bonnell urged his colleagues to make sure the bonds were financed without any additional burden on taxpayers.
An ordinance revising building lot requirements was also approved by a 5-0 vote.
Residents are being notified about new trash and recycling collection policies scheduled to take effect on March 15. Borough Clerk Kelly Barrett said flyers are being distributed to each household. The new information will also be included in the new municipal calendar, which will be available later this month.
The council also approved a contract with Manasquan-based Viply, which will allow beach admissions to be purchased with a mobile app.
Users will pay the service charge for beach badges, not the borough. Viply was used last summer in Asbury Park, Manasquan and several towns in Ocean County.
The Viply app is available for Apple and Android phones. A credit card, debit card or Paypal is used to pay for beach admission. The user will be given a wristband after showing their phone with the Viply app at the beach entrance.
According to the company, 75 percent of beachgoers own smartphones.
