Board of Recreation Meeting Could Get Interesting

Now what?

Last month's Board of Recreation meeting was anything but dull. And Tuesday's could be as interesting if old issues still linger.

It starts at 8 p.m. at borough hall.

Last time, a by-the-numbers agenda turned lively when Recreation Department head Sue Parachuk told the board the school district billed the town's Summer Recreation program almost $700 for use of its facilities, paper product and janitors after years of free access and without warning.

Minutes later, Dan Titus, Hopatcong Warriors youth football president, complained to the board that the schools charged the non-profit about $1,000 for facility usage. It, too, had never been charged before and didn't receive a heads up about the bill.

Also, board member John Young told the board the school tagged the town's track program last summer for use of the high school track.

Most of the members were upset over the charges. Their consensus: The town's recreational programs should only be charged if they cost the school money. They wondered why youth programs were being charged for janitor use when the school already had them scheduled to work.

School business administrator Theresa Sierchio was contacted after the meeting. She explained the charges as sad, but necessary.

"It goes right back to the budget," Sierchio said. The state cut Hopatcong's aid by $1.7 million last year, forcing massive layoffs and restructuring. "Who pays for the water? Who pays for the trash? Who pays for the mowing? Who pays for all of that?"

The stir even spilled over into the last council meeting, where the town's business administrator, Catherine Stienel, who couldn't be reached for comment because she's on vacation, said she'd send Sierchio a letter asking for an explanation of the charges.

As of Monday, Parachuck said she didn't know if Sierchio had responded to the request.