See Preview Of Resident Projects At Freehold Town Hall On Thursday

FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — The Freehold Borough Participatory Budget Committee will host a Town Hall on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to present this year’s participatory budgeting project finalists.

According to the Freehold Borough website, participatory budgeting intends to "directly involve residents in the budgeting and city-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure that the town’s budget reflects the priorities of Freehold Borough's residents and local partners.”

Each year, anyone 14 years of age or older is invited to propose a project for funding that meets local needs in the Borough.

Examples of past winning projects include lighting at the Little League field, sidewalk repairs and the Lake Topanemus pedestrian bridge.

To be considered for the ballot, proposed projects must:

• Be a capital project that will serve the general public’s benefit
• Have an expected five-year life or more
• Have a low or relatively low maintenance cost
• Be on public property such as parks, Borough buildings (not school property), streets and sidewalks.

On Thursday, the projects that have made it onto this year's ballot will be described, and community members will be able to vote for their favorite ideas.

Once residents present, voting will open and last through Sept. 27.

Winning projects will be announced at the Freehold Borough Council Meeting in October.

To vote, you must be 14 years of age or older, and either be a Freehold Borough resident or own a business in Freehold Borough.

Those interested can cast their vote on a paper ballot at Borough Hall, or vote online.

For more information, you can visit the Freehold Borough website or Facebook page.

Freehold Borough Hall is located at 30 Mechanic Street, Freehold.