Civic Commentary: Five Things Every Resident Should Know About the Proposed Recreation Ordinance, on the Town Council Agenda for Tuesday’s June 30th Town Council Meeting

Eliminating the Recreation Department in its current state and dissolving the Volunteer Recreation Commission and their authority.

Jeanne Kingsley

1. This proposal eliminates one of Berkeley Heights’ oldest volunteer boards.

For more than 60 years, the Recreation Commission has provided residents with a direct voice in shaping recreation programs, facilities, budgeting, and long-range planning.

Volunteer boards and commissions are one of the things that make New Jersey local government unique. They allow residents—not just elected officials—to share responsibility for shaping their communities.

If this ordinance is adopted, recreation policy and oversight will no longer be guided by an independent citizen board dedicated solely to recreation. Those responsibilities will rest entirely with the Mayor, Council, and municipal administration.

2. This is much more than an administrative change.

The ordinance would:

• Dissolve the Recreation Commission.

• Transfer responsibility for recreation programs, facilities, budgets, planning, and assets directly to the Mayor and Council.

• Restructure the Recreation Department by creating a new paid administrative position to oversee recreation operations. All at the expense of the Berkeley Hgts Taxpayers.

Before making these changes, residents deserve to understand why they are necessary, what problem they are intended to solve, and what the financial impact will be.

3. The people most affected were not part of the discussion.

According to the Recreation Commission and Recreation Department employees, they received notice by email late Friday that the ordinance would be introduced just days later.

There was no opportunity for meaningful discussion with the Commission, Recreation Department employees, or the public before this significant governance change was placed on the Council agenda.

4. The current Recreation Commission has a strong record of serving Berkeley Heights.

The Recreation Commission has:

• Operated with one of the Township’s smaller municipal budgets.

• Supplemented taxpayer funding through recreation program revenues.

• Built reserves for capital improvements.

• Expanded recreation opportunities for toddlers, children, adults, and seniors.

• Helped oversee community traditions such as Playground Camp, Teen Scene, sports programs, and special events enjoyed by generations of Berkeley Heights families.

The Recreation Department has earned an outstanding reputation under the leadership of its dedicated staff, including a highly respected Associate Recreation Director who has played a significant role in the department’s success.

5. This decision deserves public discussion before action is taken.

This is not about whether the Township has the legal authority to dissolve the Recreation Commission.

It is about whether Berkeley Heights should make such a significant change without first hearing from the volunteers who have served the community, the employees who operate the department, and the residents who rely on its programs.

Good government is built on transparency, public participation, and thoughtful decision-making.

Before eliminating one of Berkeley Heights’ oldest volunteer boards, the Township should pause, listen, and engage the community.

What You Can Do

Please attend the Township Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 30, and respectfully ask the Council to table the ordinance until a full public discussion can take place.

If you cannot attend, please email the Mayor and Council and ask them to postpone consideration of the ordinance until residents, Recreation Commissioners, and Recreation Department employees have had a meaningful opportunity to be heard.

Major changes to our community institutions should never occur without meaningful public engagement.

Meeting Place and Time:

June 30^th – 6:30pm Berkeley Heights Municipal Building Town Hall – main entrance on 2^nd Floor – walk through the doors and make a right. If you can’t make it, please take the time to e-mail our elected officials and Township Administrator letting them know your support for all things Recreation: Carolyn George/Associate Recreation Director, The Recreation Department and The Recreation Commission. Your support is greatly appreciated!!!!

Submitted directly by the author; content reflects their own views