to ban basketball hoops, sports equip. in streets
New law would prohibit
playing ball in the streets
Council split on idea
to ban basketball hoops, sports equip. in streets
By jennifer dome
Staff Writer
SAYREVILLE — Kids, get out of the street.
That’s the message of a proposed borough ordinance that would prohibit the use of recreation equipment such as portable and permanent basketball hoops and hockey goals in public rights of way such as streets.
The Borough Council approved a first reading on the ordinance in a 4-2 vote Monday.
Councilmen Thomas Marcinczyk and John Melillo voted against the ordinance, while Phyllis Batko, Dennis Grobelny, Frank Makransky and Thomas Pollando supported the measure.
The final reading of the ordinance will take place at the public council meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Borough Hall, Main Street.
The ordinance states that "no equipment, apparatus, post, erection or projection shall be placed in, over or upon any street or public right of way or on private property in the vicinity of any public right of way" if it means that the user would be in the right of way.
Anyone who violates the ordinance must remove the equipment and pay a $100 fine for the first violation. Any subsequent violations will result in a $250 fine, the ordinance states.
The idea for the new law was suggested at the July 7 agenda meeting by Makransky, who said he was concerned about children playing in the street with such recreational equipment, especially on narrow streets or those with heavier traffic.
Council President Pollando also mentioned the case of a borough resident who asked the borough to replace a portable basketball hoop since it was damaged by a sanitation truck.
However, Melillo, who is the head of the council’s recreation committee, said that while he obviously does not want children subjected to any dangers, children also need a place to play.
"There are kids who just want to go out in front of their house and shoot baskets," Melillo said.
Marcinczyk agreed, saying all borough residents should not be penalized just because a sanitation truck damaged one basketball hoop.
"If you go down the streets, everybody and their brother has these portable basketball nets," Marcinczyk said.
"Why do this to the kids?" he questioned.
Marcinczyk said he was also concerned with how the ordinance would be enforced.
Sayreville Recreation Director Mickey Sedlak said there are 20 public basketball courts throughout the borough.
The courts can be found in many of the parks, such as Kennedy Park, Burkes Park and Woodland Park, as well as at Truman School and other recreation sites.