Dogged by criticism, twp. reverses on fees
Residents opposed costs to register pets for new N.B. park
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

The township has decided not to charge fees for using the North Brunswick Community Park Dog Park, although a registration process has yet to be determined.

After several residents complained about already having to pay property taxes to fund the park and registration fees to license their dogs, the town decided that the original fee proposed for using the park - $35 for every two dogs for residents and $40 for two dogs for nonresidents - should be rescinded.

"After some further discussion, at this point we have determined there will be no fee for the dog park," said Lou Ann Benson, the director of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services.

In a letter to the editor in last week's Sentinel, resident Kevin Desmond cited "triple taxation" because of the costs already incurred by living in town. He contended that neither East Brunswick nor the county dog parks charge for use of their fields and that fines should be imposed for people who misuse the park and violate rules rather than subjecting everyone to the costs up front.

At Monday night's Township Council meeting, resident Barbara Snepar voiced similar concerns. She said she takes her two dogs to a park nearly every day, and that parks elsewhere across the state do not require enrollment, permits or fees.

"It's really a lot of fun and dogs that have been going there since they were little really know how to behave. It's so nice. I was really happy to hear about [North Brunswick's park]," she said. "I just felt that since no one else in the state has to pay for the use of a public dog park, I didn't think it was fair we would have to."

Snepar noted that when registering a dog with the clerk's office, the owner must state whether a pet is spayed or neutered, so filing additional documents to register dogs would be redundant. She also said that owners are responsible for upholding rules and keeping their animals under control.

"That's what takes all the fun out of a dog park, when a dog is attacked," she said.

Mayor Francis "Mac" Womack said there will be further discussion about a registration process in order "to avoid such precarious situations" and keep all dogs and owners safe.

The issue will be discussed at the council workshop meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. at 710 Hermann Road. There is a 15-minute public session for residents to make brief statements.

The dog park itself will be available for use as of April 14, which is the grand-opening celebration of the entire Community Park off Route 130. Festivities begin at 11 a.m.