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Expect cost of summer fun to go up
(by David Jimenez - May 07, 2008)
One thing is for certain, beach and boating fees for Mine Hill’s Municipal Beach this summer will be going up. The only question that remains is by how much?
Expecting to pass an ordinance last week that would have substantially increased beach fees for non-residents, a recommendation that was hastily cobbled together by town council members, was stopped by beach president Mary Jo Walilko, who felt the recommendations made were unrealistic and arbitrary.
“The amount suggested is insane and would be hard to justify with no new amenities added to the municipal beach this year,” Walilko said.
Unlike other townships that manage lakeside activities, “Mine Hill does not have a filtration system, swim lanes or upgrades offered by neighboring towns, such as Roxbury, Randolph and Rockaway Borough,” she said.
Had the council approved the suggested fee hikes last week at its May 1 meeting, the cost for a family membership pass for Mine Hill residents would have remained the same at $75 for passes purchased before June 1 and $85 for a beach pass purchased after June 1. Non-resident fees however, would have jumped to $275, a $110 price hike for a summer family pass purchased after June 1 and $225, also a $110 increase, for a summer family pass purchased before June 1.
With beach season fast approaching, the town council, at its April 17 meeting, began to increase fees for beach and boat use in a rush to introduce legislation prior to a June deadline. In hindsight, the matter should have first gone to a working group so members of the beach committee could have reviewed all recommendations before the council could vote.
“In April I spoke to the town council and explained why the beach committee came up with a recommendation to lower the fees because we felt that our beach facility is not up to par,” Walilko said. “The council thanked me for my remarks and then proceeded, at a later date, to raise fees. Unfortunately when they did that, they didn’t have the courtesy to inform us of their action.”
At last week’s town meeting, council member Michael Warholak asked Walilko for her opinion on what would be a more realistic fee structure, comments she hurriedly made so the council could proceed to formally reintroduce the revised ordinance.
The public will be able to comment on the proposed ordinance at the township’s May 15 meeting. If passed, it will become law by the start of the summer season.
As the ordinance stands now, a family membership pass will cost non-residents (which include Wharton residents who last year were charged a lesser rate) $185 if purchased before June 1 and $225 if purchased after June 1. Mine Hill residents can expect to pay $10 more for a family membership pass: $85 if purchased before June 1 and $95 after June 1.
Boat registration for the season will increase $5 to $10 depending on whether the individual is a resident of Mine Hill or not. Daily gate fees will increase by $1.
Beginning Aug. 1, the final month of summer, fee charges are reduced.
The Mine Hill Municipal Beach is used mostly by families. Mothers and their children make up a majority of the weekday attendance, while non-residents are the bulk of weekend turnouts.
The townships beach is located at the end of Green Road. It will open daily beginning June 18 until Sept. 1. Hours are: Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Beach activities include: boating, swimming lessons, playground and a picnic area.
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