Meters take cash only at beach sites

By Michael P. Walsh

Special to the Voice

Effective July 1, the city’s five beach parking lots for nonresidents are accepting cash only because the lots’ parking meters are out of order. 

Police Chief Joseph S. Perno, whose department oversees the parking meters, or kiosks, said the coronavirus pandemic has caused a shortage of parts and service technicians, preventing the kiosks from being fixed. 

So until further notice, Perno said private security personnel is monitoring the nonresident parking lots and collecting the daily cash fees from motorists, including $20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and $10 after 3 p.m. 

The nonresident lots are Sea Bluff, Bradley Point, Palace Street, Morse Park and Sandy Point, as well as the April Street boat launch. 

The city has also announced that its new three-year beach parking stickers were recently mailed with the tax bills but were unlikely to reach all residents by June 30, when the current stickers expired. 

To accommodate those who have yet to receive the 2022-25 windshield stickers, the city is accepting the 2020-22 stickers in all beach parking lots for residents and at the boat launch until further notice. 

The resident lots are South Street, Dawson Avenue, Rock Street, Oak Street and Altschuler Boulevard. 

Perno said driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations are not accepted in the resident parking lots or at the boat launch — a valid, affixed beach sticker is required. All other beach parking restrictions apply, he said.