Public's Ideas For Freehold Projects To Be Topic Of Meeting

FREEHOLD, NJ — The Participatory Budgeting Town Hall will be this Thursday, Sept. 14, at 6:30pm in Freehold Borough Hall.

And that's where the projects suggested by the public that have made it onto the "PB" ballot will be explained and described for the public, the borough says.

And members of the community will be able to begin voting for their favorite ideas. Voting starts on Sept. 14 and goes through Sept. 24.

In order to vote, you must be 14 years old or older and meet one of the following criteria: be a resident of Freehold Borough; work in Freehold Borough; or own a business in Freehold Borough.

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.

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 process has come about from the Mayor and Council's initiative for residents to play a more active role in their own government. The process offers residents a say in how the governing body allocates resources. It also builds stronger communities, engages residents, and promotes the democratic process, the borough says.