The meeting’s most contentious moment arose during the public comments section, where a resident, Larry Kaplan, accused Mayor Larry Fox of disseminating false information about an upcoming referendum. Kaplan alleged that a video posted on the town’s official Facebook page misrepresented the mayor’s stance on the charter commission, potentially misleading voters. He expressed concerns that this misinformation could disenfranchise voters and violate federal election laws, citing 52 U.S. Code 20511. The video reportedly contradicted the mayor’s prior support for the charter commission question on the ballot. Kaplan’s accusations underscored a broader demand for transparency and accountability in local governance, reflecting public discontent with the current administration.

In addition to these allegations, the council dedicated significant time to discussing beach badge pricing for the 2025 season. The council reviewed a presentation comparing Bradley Beach’s pricing with neighboring towns, noting that the borough sold approximately 95,000 beach badges last year, slightly fewer than the 98,000 sold in 2023. Despite the decrease in sales volume, record revenue of over $2 million was reported, attributed to favorable weather and increased daily badge sales following a $1 price rise. The council deliberated over maintaining current prices or implementing modest increases, considering the borough’s competitive pricing for senior and junior badges. Concerns about the stability of revenue, especially given unpredictable weather patterns, were voiced, with a cautious approach to future budgeting suggested.

A council member proposed lowering the price of senior badges to potentially boost sales volume, acknowledging that last year’s increase had been poorly received. During public comments, a resident questioned the justification for raising rates given the borough’s surplus, sparking a discussion on the financial practices of the borough and the balance between revenue and expenses.

The council also considered operational improvements, such as introducing credit card payments for daily beach badges to reduce cash handling and improve security. The suggestion was made in light of other municipalities moving towards cashless systems, though it was acknowledged that not all residents may have access to smartphones for mobile payments. Discussions included a proposal for a senior badge rate of $35, considering the existing holiday discount for seasonal badges.

In addition to the primary topics, the council reviewed a best practices report, scoring 38.5 out of 46.5 points, which qualified the borough for full state aid funding. Despite receiving perfect scores in categories like capital projects and shared services, the report identified areas needing improvement, notably the pay-to-play ordinance requiring updates to align with state standards. Concerns were raised about compliance with state laws on public electric vehicle charging stations and alternative fuel vehicle policies.

Residents also voiced concerns about the financial implications of potential lawsuits from Bradley Beach police officers, which could result in significant liabilities for taxpayers. Calls for structural changes to prevent power abuses were accompanied by advocacy for the charter commission referendum.

The meeting addressed various administrative matters, including the acceptance of a $50,000 grant for building improvements. Concerns about compliance with the grant’s terms and potential taxpayer burdens if planning costs exceeded the grant amount were discussed. The council ultimately decided to table resolutions related to ongoing projects, highlighting the need for review and discussion.

Community engagement was underscored through discussions on recent election outcomes, upcoming Veterans Day and police promotion events, and library programming. The council acknowledged the importance of inclusivity, with suggestions for incorporating newly elected officials in upcoming meetings.