Community Corner

What Kind Of Projects Should Freehold Borough Fund?

The borough's Participatory Budgeting Committee is seeking community input on a theme for this year's project submissions.

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The theme that receives the most votes will determine what kinds of projects make it onto the ballot in September 2025.
The theme that receives the most votes will determine what kinds of projects make it onto the ballot in September 2025. (Sara Winick / Patch)

FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — The Freehold Borough Participatory Budgeting Committee is seeking community input for this year’s participatory budgeting process.

Each year, Freehold Borough residents or business owners 14 years old or older are eligible to submit project ideas that meet local needs in the borough. Once voting ends and a winning project is determined, that project receives borough funding.

In 2024, three projects were chosen as contest winners. Lighting and electricity improvements at Lake Topanemus, a splash pad for Liberty Park and a portable outdoor stage were among the winning projects.

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This year, the committee has updated the participatory budgeting process by implementing a yearly theme for idea submissions.

The committee is asking community members to vote on this year’s theme, with voting open through Feb. 3. The top vote will determine the 2025 theme, with runner-ups set for future years.

Find out what's happening in Freeholdfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Here are the theme options:

Infrastructure & Public Works
(Potential examples)

  • Sidewalks (repairs, accessibility improvements, extensions, etc.)
  • Street Lighting (installation of energy-efficient/safety-enhancing lights)
  • Water & Sanitation (improvements in drainage, addition of water fountains, etc.)

Arts
(Potential examples)

  • Community murals
  • Public art installations/sculptures
  • Decorative garbage cans/benches/bike racks

Health & Safety
(Potential examples)

  • Lighted crosswalk signs
  • Surveillance cameras
  • ADA-compliant voice-assisted directional walks

Technology
(Potential examples)

  • Free public WiFi
  • Electric charging stations
  • Digital kiosk

All project proposals the committee receives for 2025 will need to meet five criteria as well, officials said.

The proposed projects must:

  1. Be capital improvements
  2. Have low or no maintenance cost
  3. Be located on public property
  4. Have a five-year life expectancy or more
  5. Benefit the general public

To cast your vote, you can click here.

To learn more about the Participatory Budgeting Committee, you can visit their website.

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