Swim club will permit sponsored memberships BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer MARLBORO - Residents of neighboring communities will have a chance to join the Marlboro Swim Club this summer. On March 5 the Township Council approved a sponsored membership program for use of the municipal swimming pool. The swim club is off Gordons Corner Road. The ordinance was adopted with a 4-1 vote; Council President Jeff Cantor, councilwomen Rosa Tragni and Patti Morelli and Councilman Joseph Pernice voted to adopt the law. Councilman Steve Rosenthal voted no. A sponsored member or membership is defined in the ordinance as a family or individual residing outside of Marlboro who holds a membership, whether full time or part time, in the Marlboro Swim Club as a result of being sponsored for membership by a resident member. The fees for a sponsored membership are as follows: + Full-time family membership, $550. + Full-time individual membership, $275. + Part-time family membership, $525. + Part-time individual membership, $262.50. Pernice explained that the reason for allowing nonresidents to join the swim club is due to a decline in residential membership in recent years, which affects the revenue generated by the facility. He attributed the decline in membership at the swim club to the number of backyard pools that have been built over the years. In 2006 the revenue generated by the swim club was $858,611 and the expenses were $886,986, according to swim club director Art Lawrence. He noted that 2006 was the first year in which expenses exceeded revenue. In 2006 the swim club had 1,308 memberships; this year Lawrence is projecting that 1,050 families will sign up for membership. When membership declines, programs such as the day camp, swim lessons and the snack bar revenue suffer as well, Lawrence said. Several members of the swim club's board of directors responded to those council members who expressed concerns on the issue when the ordinance was introduced last month. Responding to the council's concern regarding what kind of people would be sponsored members, Jack Litsky said most of the individuals who would become sponsored members are those who currently come to the swim club as guests of Marlboro residents. "It doesn't really make sense not to get revenue from those people," Litsky said. Frank Dicopoulos agreed with Litsky's sentiments and said Marlboro officials have to have faith in the current members and those individuals they will sponsor. "We can't lose this facility; it's an oasis. This place is beautiful and it has a lot to offer. It would be a shame to let it go down," Dicopoulos added. Responding to Morelli's concern of the new sponsored membership program creating cliques at the swim club, Litsky said cliques are the reason people join the club. He noted that members have their own areas where they sit and their own friends with whom they come to the club. "Cliquing is what keeps the swim club ticking," Litsky added. Frank Schafler reminded the council members that the program is a temporary solution that can always be changed. "If it doesn't work, we'll be in front of the council next year to alter or remove the program. If it works, we did a great thing," Schafler said. Several young people who work as lifeguards and swim coaches at the swim club urged the council to approve the sponsored membership program as well. During the council's discussion of the ordinance, Morelli said she had received several calls from residents who were concerned about the sponsored membership program. She noted that only swim club board members and employees of the facility attended the meeting and that the council had not heard from any members. Morelli reiterated the need for a poll of the swim club members to see how they feel about the sponsored membership program. Pernice said officials could spend money on a poll; however, he believes that since the members are the people who have to sponsor nonresidents, if they do not want the program to continue they will not sponsor anyone, and that would be the same as conducting a poll. Morelli said she wanted to be sure that the number of sponsored memberships to be sold at the swim club is capped. According to the law, the sponsored memberships will be given on a first-come, first-served basis and on an annual basis; the maximum number of sponsored memberships permitted for the Marlboro Swim Club is 250, and 100 sponsored memberships will be provided for the Marlboro Aquatic Center on Vanderburg Road. Rosenthal reiterated his concerns that more financial avenues should be considered before opening up the swim club to nonresidents. He said he still believes the swim club should be exclusive to Marlboro residents. Tragni said she understood Rosenthal's concern and said township officials and the swim club board of directors could still explore his suggested financial options in addition to implementing the sponsored membership program. She added that those members who are concerned with the law may be confused on how the membership program would work and once they understood the program, they may be less concerned.