Council Pulls Plug on Summer Program

The Watchung Borough Council canceled the summer program offered by the borough's Recreation Commission, due to low enrollment, at Thursday's meeting.

With about 32 kids enrolled in the program, the borough was facing a deficit of nearly $9,000 to pay, according to Borough Councilwoman Karen Cassidy.

"I think what the council needs to think about is whether the council wants to subsidize the program," Cassidy said.

Cassidy added the program could see another 10 or 15 kids enrolled in the program in the next few weeks, but that would still leave more than $7,000 in expenses to be covered.

The fee for the program was increased by $25 this year, to $100, Cassidy said, as part of a planned series of annual $25 increases to bring the borough's fees inline with those charged in nearby towns. The added fees reduced the projected shortfall by about $2,000 from last year's net total of $11,000 kicked in by the borough.

But the program's declining enrollment in recent years troubled council members.

"Basically, what you'd be asking is for the taxpayers of this town to send other people's children to camp," Councilman William Franklin said.

It didn't take long for the council to think about subsidizing the program: they voted unanimously to cancel this year's program.

Parents of students enrolled in the program will be contacted, and borough officials will be reaching out to recreation officials in Warren and other communities to see if cooperative agreements can be made.

"I'm disappointed to see it go, but you are doing the right thing," resident Mary Lou DiRosa said during the meeting. She said her daughters had been enrolled in the program when they were younger, but she understood why the council voted to cancel it this year.