Rates to be set for lockers, cabanas by city beaches

By Neil Schulman
Long Branch — The city is already thinking about summer, getting plans ready for installing lockers ­and cabanas by the beach.At Tuesday’s City Council workshop, City Administrator Howard Woolley reviewed the number of lockers that the city plans to install, and how much it intends to charge.

The city plans to have 105 lockers in seven locations, and 20 cabanas, between the Madison Avenue and Laird Street beaches.

The city intends to charge $375 a year for lockers, and $2,750 for cabanas. The rate would be the same for Long Branch residents and out-of-towners.

Woolley said that the prices were comparible to what other seaside towns which offers lockers and cabanas charged, and “a little less than Bradley Beach.”

The cabanas can only be put in limited locations this year because they need to have electricity and water. Potential work on the boardwalk makes that impractical for many of the beach entrances.
However, lockers will be by the entrance to seven beaches: West End, Cottage Place, North Bath Ave., South Bath Ave., Morris Place, Laird St. and Madison Ave. Each would have a bank of 15 lockers.

The lockers can be moved relatively easily by the department of public works in case construction needs to take place where they are, officials said.

The cost to order and install the equipment is estimated at $81,000. Council President Michael Sirianni asked if rental fees for the lockers could be dedicated to paying back the bonding that would be needed.
The city will also consider giving those who rent a locker or cabana priority for next year.

However, the initial year the facilities will be rented out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Council members said that they’ve heard a high demand for this. People say that they want a place to store beach chairs and umbrellas so they don’t need to carry them large distances.

“Reading about it in the newspapers and online, they’re going to be knocking on the door,” Sirianni said.