By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — State law might not permit Upper Freehold to charge residents and non-residents the current participation fees for township recreational programs.
Residents now pay $10, while non-residents are charged $40. At the Dec. 4 Township Committee meeting, Township Attorney Dennis Collins told the governing body that for recreational properties purchased under the state’s Green Acres program, the non-resident fee can’t be more than twice the amount charged residents.
He “strongly” recommended that the committee modify its ordinance in that instance. The Township Committee passed an ordinance in 2008 differentiating fees for resident and non-resident recreational users.
Township Administrator Dianne Kelly said that from a financial and budgetary perspective, she would not like to see the revenues go backward. She said that if revenue decreases, it’s a “direct hit” to the township’s surplus. “The cost of maintaining the parks has not gone down,” she said.
Committeeman Stan Moslowski Jr. said it cost approximately $240,000 last year to maintain the playing fields. Committeeman Bob Faber said he couldn’t see how they could charge less money, noting that the committee approved a large bill for fertilizer and lime for the playing fields just that night.
Mayor Lorisue Horsnall Mount said she was tired of Upper Freehold having to subsidize others.
“I feel we’re being backed into another corner,” she said.
Ms. Kelly provided the governing body with a list of recreational participant fee variations. In 2013, a total of 813 residents and 136 non-residents participated in all sports, with residents paying $8,130 and non-residents paying $5,440, for a total of $13,570 in revenue. Based on the same number of participants, a $13/$26 fee would total $14,105; a $15/$30 fee would total $16,275 and a $20/$40 fee would total $21,700.
Deputy Mayor Robert Frascella and Committeeman Steve Alexander were absent from the meeting. The governing body will consider the issue at its Jan. 6, 2015 meeting.

