Stray Voltage Issue Solved at Bey Lea Park

The potential to electrically shock night visitors of Bey Lea Park's lighted tennis courts with stray voltage closed the courts until the issue was solved last week.

An issue with stray voltage shuttered any chance of night tennis at for most of April and May, but the lights were back on late last week after township staff deemed the problem solved.

Toms River Director of Parks and Grounds Craig Ambrosio said that the phenomenom of stray voltage could have resulted in electric shock if the lights of the tennis court were on.

"If the lights or circuitry for the lights are energized, there's stray voltage or unaccounted for voltage, which could negatively affect the residents, meaning it could cause electric shock in some manner," Ambrosio said.

What exactly was causing the stray voltage is unknown, but the township was trying to have power company Jersey Central Power & Light thoroughly investigate the issue throughout April and May.

At times, the discussion with the utility was strained but in May the dialogue improved and JCP&L deemed the issue solved around May 23, Ambrosio said.

However, the director had township staff assess the conditions in both wet weather and dry to see if any stray voltage remained. Late last week, the lights were turned back on.

"We had shut that system off and was no longer in use until we rectified the problem with Jersey Central Power & Light," Ambrosio said.

The issue of stray voltage only affected the Bey Lea tennis courts, meaning tennis could only be played during daylight hours.

Night tennis players were directed to other Toms River parks, such as Shelter Cove and Bayside Park, which also offer lighted tennis courts.

No injuries were reported.