Voting For Freehold Participatory Budget Open: See Projects Here

FREEHOLD, NJ — Voting is open for the 2021 Freehold Borough participatory budget after the projects on the ballot were presented to the public this week.

Borough residents who are 14 years or older can weigh in on their top three projects until Sept. 26.

Voting can be done either in person at the Borough of Freehold Municipal Building or online through the borough's website.

Here is the list of projects to choose from:

Information Kiosk - $4,000
Two basic information Kiosks: one installed in the front of the library, next to the front entry stairs on the east side, and one in the rear of the building, location to be determined after renovation.

Electronic Information Kiosk Downtown - $30,000
One electronic information kiosk on Main Street. The kiosk will provide tourism information to visitors and residents. Things such as restaurants, retail, transit, Boro information, wayfinding, attractions, weather. The resident suggested solar power if cost-effective.

Dog Playground at Liberty Park - $60,400
A dog playground will take less space than a dog park. The Novice Course BarkPark dog playground kit includes four agility pieces of equipment: The Rover Jump Over, the doggie crawl, paws table, and hoop jump. All were designed with every breed in mind. There will also be a trash receptacle and a picnic table. Costs include fencing, installation and shipping. More information and photos here.

Water Bottle Filling Stations with Dog Bowl - $14,700
Three water bottle filling stations with dog bowl and human fountain. Place two stations at Liberty Park and one at Veterans Park. There’s an older drinking fountain at Liberty Park. It needs to be determined if the existing fountain has a functioning water line. Plus determine what it will cost to run water to Veterans Park. More information here.

Bike Repair and Maintenance Stations - $4,950
Two residents submitted this project. Three bike repair and maintenance stations: One at Liberty Park, one at Veterans and one downtown next to the bike rack in the CVS parking lot. The stations include tool assemblies spaced to prevent tangling, long hose wide range without touching the ground, screwdrivers, steel core tire levers, headset/pedal wrench, two cone wrench, installation tool kit ADA compliant and QRC user directions. More information here.

Splash Pad - $75,000
Add a splash pad to Liberty Park. It would have two ground jets and two above-ground features for less than $15k. Additional cost of pouring the pad and connecting to the water source.

ADA Fishing Pier at Lake Topanemus - $53,000
This is a project that was resubmitted last year. Already vetted and approved for the ballot. More information here.

Traffic Light Generators - $32,000

Purchase three traffic light generators: one for Elks Point, one south and Main and one Main and Park Ave. Added the generators will free up the police when there is a storm or accident and the intersections lose power.

Seven Downtown Refuse Receptacles with Recycling - $38,500
Add enhanced public refuse receptacles that allow for recycling. Suggested areas to place Main Street, Broad Street, South Street, near the HH trail. Basically any area with high foot traffic. The cans should complement our historic downtown.

Octagonal Concrete Picnic Tables with Game Boards - $12,000
Place concrete tables in Vinyard, Veterans and Liberty Parks. Designed for residents to sit and play games, checkers and backgammon. One table at each park

Two Lighted Mobile Speed Signs - $18,700
Place mobile trailer speed signs throughout the Boro.

Extend Trail at Lake Topamemus From the Bandstand to Pond Road - $32,000
Extend the trail behind the bandshell that ends at the second gate to run behind the parking lot to Pond road and connect to the trail across the parking lot.

Twp Concrete ADA Chess Tables at Vineyard and Topanemus Parks - $7,500
Square steel post legs surface mounted. Benches on three sides, one side is wheelchair accessible. More information here.

Here's the list of projects that were selected in last year's participatory budget:

• ADA Playground equipment on Veterans Park
• Tree Replacement, Borough-wide
• Tables and Benches on Lake Topanemus Park