Toms River Adjusting Pool Fees, Adding Patrols After Complaints

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Township Council has introduced an ordinance to establish new fee rates for the township's swimming pool.

The proposed changes in the fee schedule come as a result of complaints by residents in the Snug Harbor section of Toms River about rowdy behavior from people using the pool.

"They park in our driveways and when they leave, we have trash," said Laura Marina Cole, who lives down the street from the pool. "We have public urination. They're unrobing in the parking lot even though there's beautiful changing rooms."

Diane Oxley, who also lives near the pool, said one group of people cursed at her and swerved their vehicle at her after she spoke to them about getting undressed in the street.

"We had people driving through the neighborhood to see if the pool is open yet," she said at the June 9 council meeting. The pool opened June 19 and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While residents hoped the township could restrict access to town residents only, township officials said the pool was purchased using state Green Acres funding, which means the town cannot close it to nonresidents.

The pool originally was owned by the Snug Harbor Homeowners Association, but in 1975 the township leased the pool with an option to buy it, a news release from the town said. Toms River completed the pool purchase in 1977, officials said.

New Jersey's Green Acres program was created in 1961 and provides funding to purchase and protect property from development by turning it into recreation space or conservation space permanently. Once a property is purchased with Green Acres funding, it goes on the list of preserved spaces permanently.

The use of Green Acres funding restricts what the town can do, but officials said in the news release that they are making adjustments to the pool fees. The township's pool fees include season passes for $150 for residents and $300 for nonresidents, and a daily fee of $7 for residents or nonresidents.

In an ordinance introduced Tuesday night, the town will add a separate fee for nonresidents of $14 per day during the week and $16 on weekends and holidays, officials said. The ordinance will be up for final approval at the July 13 council meeting and will take effect 20 days after the approved ordinance is published in a newspaper, which is set by law.

Council President Kevin Geoghegan said concerns about the fees also had come up in the township's efficiency study and the increase also will cover increased costs for seasonal employees due to the state increasing the minimum wage.

The proposed fee changes are consistent with Green Acres regulations, Geoghegan said.

"Based on our review we’ve decided a rate increase is justified," Councilman Matthew Lotano said.

In addition, police officers will be assigned to make checks while on patrol with a focus on the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. timeframe that residents said brought the worst behavior.

Councilman Terrance Turnbach said the police department "reported having no unusual level of calls in this area, but will monitor it closely."

Geoghegan said the town also plans to add trees and bushes to create more of a barrier between the pool's parking area and residents' homes.

The new fees under the proposed ordinance would be as follows:

Monday through Friday

• Resident adults: $7
• Resident seniors/children: $5 62 and over; 4-12 years old
• Nonresident adult: $14
• Nonresident senior/children: $10 62 and over; 4-12 years old

Saturday, Sunday, Holidays

• Resident adult: $8
• Resident seniors/children: $6 62 and over; 4-12 years old
• Nonresident adult: $16
• Nonresident senior/children: $12 62 and over; 4-12 years old

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.