Milltown may require background checks soon Welfare of children is of primary concern to councilman

Staff Writer

By nicole c. vaccaro

Milltown may require background checks soon
Welfare of children is
of primary concern
to councilman

MILLTOWN — Councilman Mike Skarzynski would like to see criminal background checks performed on future recreation volunteers.

Skarzynski first brought up the idea during a joint finance/recreation committee meeting last week, citing an ordinance recently passed in the neighboring borough of Sayreville.

Under the newly adopted Sayreville law, anyone found guilty of certain offenses will be prohibited from volunteering in the recreation department. Those offenses include charges such as murder, sexual assault and robbery.

Traffic violations will not be considered.

Skarzynski’s uncle, Ray Skarzynski, who chairs the recreation department in Sayreville, gave him the idea.

"As a council, we have the obligation to do whatever it takes to protect the children," said Skarzynski. "It only takes one incident."

Skarzynski added that all screening results would be kept confidential and that there would be some cost to the borough for completing the checks.

"You can’t put a price on child safety," he said.

According to Skarzynski, many parents and coaches he has spoken with fully support the idea.

He plans to present it at the Oct. 9 council meeting.

If the ordinance is approved, Skarzynski would like to see the program implemented next year.

"This is nothing new. We already conduct screening of SACC [School Age Child Care] committee members, as well as school employees and potential Boy Scout leaders," added Skarzynski. "You can never be too safe when kids are involved."