By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — A longtime interlocal arrangement between the township and Rocky Hill may end if officials can’t agree on what’s fair to charge the borough’s residents to use Montgomery recreation programs.
At the Township Committee meeting Thursday night, the committee discussed how much the borough should pay for its residents to have the same access as Montgomery residents to the programs, which include ski trips, swim classes and youth day camps.In past years, the borough has paid the township $2,000 a year for the arrangement. The programs are open to nonresidents for an extra fee of $10, though the committee is also considering increasing this fee.
Committeeman Mark Caliguire said he recognizes the “unique relationship” the two municipalities have, but the township has to take a hard look at its costs in light of its declining revenues. The township has cut back on services and laid off employees in recent months as it struggles to balance its 2009 budget.
He suggested that Rocky Hill pay based on a formula whereby the borough would pay based on a ratio of its population compared to the township.
At fewer than 700 residents, Rocky Hill has about 3.5 percent the population of Montgomery. This would then be multiplied by township’s total cost of running its recreation program to come up with the fee, he said.
”I think it would be hard to argue with the fairness of that formula,” he said.
Mayor Louise Wilson said agreed that the payment system needs to be reworked.
”It’s very important that Montgomery residents not be subsidizing out of town residents — Rocky Hill or anybody,” she said.
She also said it’s important that township residents have first access to Kid Connection, the township’s child-care program, ahead of Rocky Hill and other outside residents. The nonprofit program, which has a waiting list, offers preschool, kindergarten enrichment, before and after-school programs.
The committee asked township Recreation Director Karen Zimmerman to research what a fee based on the formula would be, and the issue will be discussed further at an upcoming committee meeting.
The committee is also considering increasing the participation price for nonresidents, though Ms. Zimmerman cautioned that if the extra fee is too high, participation in some programs filled by nonresidents may dwindle.
In an interview with the Princeton Packet on Friday, Rocky Hill Mayor Ed Zimmerman rejected the proposal by Mr. Caliguire, saying, “That’s not going to happen.”
However, he stressed that the borough, which is facing financial troubles of its own, is willing to pay what’s fair.
”Rocky Hill has always said that we are willing to pay our fair share,” he said.
In a recent meeting between the municipalities’ officials, he said he proposed that the borough continue to pay $2,000 so that his residents pay a discounted rate. If the price difference goes over, he said, he offered to pay the difference.
He added that based on the past extra fee for nonresidents, $10, and the small number of borough participants, about 100, the borough has paid too much for the agreement.
”In reality, we were overpaying,” he said.
Mayor Zimmerman also pointed out that as part of the agreement, Montgomery residents participate in Rocky Hill recreation programs, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, and use its facilities, including the tennis courts.
He added that another issue arises because the Recreation Department sends fliers home with students at the Montgomery Township School District about programs it offers, and Rocky Hill children attend Montgomery schools.
”If the Rocky Hill kids that go to Montgomery schools can’t participate because of a financial issue, that’s wrong,” he said.
Also at the committee meeting, Ms. Zimmerman reported to the committee that township police had brought up several concerns about charging for parking at the township’s annual Independence Day event, held at the high school. For instance, stopping cars for them to pay could cause backup onto Route 601.
The committee discussed the idea at a recent meeting in an attempt to cut in half the event’s $33,000 price tag. In other cost cutting measures, the fireworks show cost was cut back by $3,500, and a no-cost band was hired, at a savings of $5,500 over last year.
The committee had discussed charging $5 for each car that parks at the event in order to make up those costs.

