By DON STINE
A new electronic message board will be installed in front of the Neptune municipal building using money from the township’s recreation fund.
A previous plan, presented late last year, called for spending $200,000 from the township’s recreation committee fund to install about six electronic message boards throughout the township, at sites like the Jumping Brook Little League fields, the Shark River Hills fire house, and the Midtown Commons Park.
Instead, just one new sign costing $30,560 will be placed in front of the municipal building, 25 Neptune Boulevard, and the remaining money in the fund will be used for recreational programming.
The new sign will promote recreational events and programs as well as other township activities and emergency information when necessary.
It was decided that the municipal building was a good location since it is near both the Middle School and High School.
Neptune’s Chief Financial Officer Michael Bascom said that money left in the recreation fund will be used to expand programming, improve parks, and provide scholarship to need-based children to pay costs associated with recreational programs.
“It was decided the money was better spent on programs rather than on signs,” he said.
Township officials said the signs prove to be a very useful means of communicating with residents and can provide important information during emergencies, like Superstorm Sandy.
Committeeman Eric Houghtaling said previously he was concerned that installing many signs may “chew up” all of the money in the recreation committee account.
The $200,000 has accumulated over the years from money unspent by the recreational department at the end of its fiscal year.
