UPPER FREEHOLD: Event conflicts may lead to new ordinance

The township’s scenic beauty and low-traffic back roads make it a natural place to hold charity runs and bike outings.

By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
   UPPER FREEHOLD — The township’s scenic beauty and low-traffic back roads make it a natural place to hold charity runs and bike outings.
   However, some of those activities have created conflicts with a major township industry — the Standardbred breeding business. At the Nov. 7 Township Committee meeting, it appeared that both sides could work out their differences.
   Currently, the township has no ordinances regarding these special events. Township Attorney Dennis Collins said that he would provide the governing body with sample ordinances they can review and consider for adoption.
   Municipal clerk Dana Tyler said that event organizers would have to obtain a permit if there were an ordinance.
   ”There’s nothing now to say they must get a permit and follow criteria set forth in an ordinance,” Ms. Tyler said, adding that organizers of various events have always been cooperative in doing anything the township requested of them.
   However, there is no ordinance for enforcement.
   Dr. Steve Dey, an equine veterinarian, whose family owns Heritage Hill Farm, a large Standardbred breeding operation, attended the meeting.
   Dr. Dey presented the governing body with copies of correspondence from his attorney and from fellow Standardbred breeder Mark Mullen, manager of his family’s Fair Winds Farm.
   According to the correspondence, there was a 5K race that closed certain roads during a “substantial equine sale” at the Dey farm in 2012.
   The closures resulted in people unable to get to the sale and “a substantial monetary loss and goodwill loss,” he said.
   Mr. Mullen’s email, dated Nov. 7, states that yearling horses raised at the farm are sold at a sale in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, once a year during the first week of November.
   ”The three to four weeks leading up to that sale are critical times for us in preparing and presenting our horses to the buyers,” according to the email. “Buyers’ time spent visiting the farm is limited and unexpected detours from road closures that prevent potential buyers from reaching our farm could have real consequences on our sale.”
   Dr. Curtis Byrnes and his wife, Kris, were organizers for the Oct. 26 Soles for the Harvest 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run.
   Dr. Byrnes said the event raised $13,000 for the Allentown Food Pantry, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and global hunger relief programs run by Episcopal Relief and Development.
   Kris Byrnes said that one of the overriding concerns was to create as little disruption as possible to residents and businesses. She said they are doing road diversions rather than road closures.
   Dr. Dey said that this year, his business experienced no problems because of the race.
   ”We love to have people come out to see the open space, and have voters support [proposed] slots at the Meadowlands,” he said.