Beaches were packed on Thursday and Friday of last week during New Jersey’s first taste of summer. If beachgoers went to enjoy the sun at Ortley Beach in Toms River, they probably noticed there's not much sand left to sit on due to erosion that has not been repaired.

News 12 New Jersey last visited the area following a December storm and found once again that cliffs have returned. It's been a problem spot since the Army Corps of Engineers replenished the beaches several years ago. Since then, the town has spent $500,000 of its own money to touch up spots.

Toms River Mayor Mo Hill says they're ready to spend their own money to make sure the beaches and walkways are repaired for summer.

“We were lucky this year that we didn’t have any snow. So, the money we had set aside for snow emergency, we’re going to redirect over to this project,” Hill said. "It should be ready for Memorial Day…Everything will be open by the time school lets out and we have the beaches fully manned."

Badge sales dropped in Ortley Beach last summer because of the narrow sand. Cliffs as high as 15 feet have returned periodically following each subsequent storm. Walkways remain closed and damaged. An estimated 30% to 40% of the dune is gone but it continues to hold, protecting homes and infrastructure.

“Definitely it has an economic impact on the area, so we do need the beaches. We're not going to get the core back until the fall at the earliest,” Hill said.

Bids have gone out to repair the area and are scheduled to be opened Tuesday, April 25 at 11 a.m. This will leave about a month before Memorial Day weekend. The planned touch up work by the Army Corps of Engineers to Ortley Beach will not happen at least until late fall.