'Hometown Voices' Get A Say In Voting For Freehold Capital Projects

FREEHOLD, NJ — As part of the Freehold Borough Council's Participatory Budgeting program, 10 proposed capital projects will be presented next week for voting by residents.

Listen to the proposals at a meeting of the Participatory Budgeting Committee on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Borough Hall, 30 Mechanic St.

Residents will present their ideas and then voting opens following the presentations. Residents can cast ballots, voting for up to three projects. The voting can be in-person or online through Sunday Sept. 25, according to a news release from the borough.

Residents were encouraged in a flyer to suggest ideas for capital projects to be done in the borough. "How Would You Spend $200,000" was the question posed in the flyer.

Possible capital projects are smaller in scale, as the amount budgeted suggests: a streetlight or artwork or a sidewalk repair, for example.

Participatory Budgeting is an opportunity for the public to vote on capital projects they would like to see in their hometown. "Capital project" is defined as a long-term investment made to build upon, add or improve a capital-intensive project, such as repairs to public buildings, park improvements, bike racks and traffic safety, the borough website says.

Participatory Budgeting offers residents a say in how the mayor and council allocate resources -its tagline says "Hometown Voices Speak." It also builds stronger communities, engages residents, and promotes the democratic process, the borough says on its website.

Borough residents age 14 and older are invited to come together to discuss local needs and the best ways to address them. Proposal forms will be available for community members to submit their ideas. Residents will then vote on the proposals either online or with a paper ballot.

Once a project is approved by the Borough Council, it will be included in the funding for the borough's annual budget.

The Participatory Budgeting Committee is made up of the following members, with terms for one year: Mark Bravaco, Carrie Conger, Joanna Connelly, Kathy Eckhardt, Ted Eckhart, Cary Freyre and Chris Velasco. Annette Jordan is the Brough Council liaison for 2022.