Rec program finances subject of discussion
BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - When the members of the Manalapan Recreation Advisory Board held their last meeting, they were discussing what could be done to improve the township's summer recreation program.

One of the biggest concerns following a year that ended with a $15,089 deficit in the program was how to expand the sources of revenue. According to a fiscal summary that was distributed to board members, the program spent $168,532 on trips and had revenues of $153,442.

Board member Glenn Essner observed that since children who live in Englishtown are permitted to enroll in the Manalapan summer recreation program, the time may have come for the borough of Englishtown to start paying into the summer recreation pot.

The board's ensuing discussion disclosed that a good portion of the 80 children in 2007 who were enrolled in the summer program on an economic waiver due to income constraints were Englishtown residents.

Essner said Englishtown should "put up something."

Acting Recreation Department Director Mona Cholowinski explained that federal income guidelines are used to determine who qualifies for the registration fee waiver. The registration fee is about $500.

Englishtown Councilwoman Lori Cooke is the Borough Council's recreation liaison. She said Englishtown officials have not heard anything about a proposal that would ask Englishtown to contribute to Manalapan's recreation coffers.

Cooke said she was not prepared to comment on the possibility of such a proposal except to say, "We listen to anything. Whether or not we could do that, I don't know. We'd have to involve the entire council (in the discussion) and more facts would be needed."

The Manalapan Recreation Advisory Board members discussed the fiscal concerns of the summer recreation program at their Sept. 17 meeting.

Drew Shapiro, who served on the Township Committee from 2001-06, is running for a seat on the committee in the Nov. 6 election. He is a member of the Recreation Advisory Board. Shapiro suggested that municipal officials consider the possibility of corporate sponsorship for the summer recreation program.

"We could put Dunkin' Donuts on the shirts," Shapiro said.

According to Cholowinski, each child who is enrolled in the summer recreation program is given three T-shirts. She said the shirts cost $12,750.

There were about 700 children enrolled in the summer program in 2007. That number was down from about 1,000 children in 2005.

Lawrence Richmond, who is retiring after directing the summer program for 35 years, told the board there are many problems with the summer program that need to be rectified if officials want it to remain an attractive option for parents, children and staff members.

The proposals offered by Richmond included a change in how the program is staffed, as well as a review and update of activities and the facilities that house the program to ensure that only air-conditioned buildings are used for in-house events.

Along with incentives like a competitive wage for counselors, Richmond also advocated for the inclusion of water activities at the Manalapan Recreation Center.

Cholowinski, who is in her 18th year working for the Recreation Department, said, "We are looking to move forward (regarding the summer recreation program) and make some changes. It was important to hear his (Richmond) suggestions regarding the pros and cons of the present program."