Beachgoers relax at the Webster Avenue Beach in Seaside Heights, May 26, 2016. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
A stellar July helped propel Seaside Heights to its best year for beach badge revenue since Superstorm Sandy struck in 2012.
July badge revenue totaled $726,043, the best of the summer season, and $148,911 more than the same month in 2015. Seaside Heights generated more revenue in 2016 compared with 2015 in May, June and July. August revenue was down a modest $26,113 and September receipts were non-existent due to Hurricane Hermine closing beaches to swimming. Last year, the borough generated $99,740 in September, a profit that was wiped away this year.
“We’ve done more every year since Sandy,” said Mayor Anthony Vaz. Still, “It hit us hard this year that we lost a whole weekend.”
In all, despite the storm-affected finish, Seaside Heights topped 2015 to the tune of $175,282, generating a total of $1,696,231. In 2015, beach badge revenue was $1,520,949.