By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – A donation to a playground in Freehold Township has received praise from municipal officials.
On Feb. 21, Township Committee members presented Jim Marturano of the Marturano Recreation Company with a certificate of appreciation recognizing his donation of two Powerscape playground units to the township’s My Playground.
According to Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Sue McGough, Powerscape units are commercial grade playground pieces constructed with durable materials. There is a larger unit, which is intended for children ages 5 to 12, and a smaller unit, which is intended for children under 5.
My Playground, which was constructed at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road, opened in 2015. The playground accommodates children with different levels of needs and abilities.
In keeping with the theme of My Playground, both Powerscape units feature multiple options for children who come to play, including accessible options for children of all ages and abilities, according to McGough.
The Powerscape units Marturano donated have a value exceeding $148,000, according to the certificate of appreciation.
“Freehold Township is very fortunate to be able to conduct business with kind, community-minded company owners such as yourself,” Mayor Lester Preston told Marturano. “Your donation and our remarkable playground are of great benefit to residents and visitors of Michael J. Tighe Park.
“My Playground encourages children, adults and families of all abilities to participate in play, regardless of age or ability, and proves that play has no limits. Thank you once again for contributing toward a very special place that is sure to be used and appreciated by many people throughout the years to come,” Preston said.
Marturano thanked municipal officials for the certificate of appreciation.
“We have been building playgrounds for over 40 years and this is one of the nicest awards we have received,” Marturano said.
In other business, committee members approved the following contracts: a $72,950 contract with A.C. Shultes Inc. for the rehabilitation of a well at the township’s water treatment plant; a $293,000 contract with Manor II Electric Inc. for pump station and Department of Public Works generators; and a $309,778 contract with Clear Solutions Property Maintenance LLC for grass cutting and related maintenance.
According to resolutions passed by the committee, A.C. Shultes and Clear Solutions Property Maintenance were the lowest bidders for their respective projects.
Manor II Electric was the second lowest bidder on its project, but the firm was awarded the contract because Gary Kubiak & Son Electric Inc., which submitted the lowest bid at $291,859, was deemed unresponsive due to a failure to supply a list of subcontractors, according to municipal officials.
Preston, Deputy Mayor David Salkin and committeemen Anthony Ammiano and Thomas Cook voted to approve the contracts. Committeewoman Barbara McMorrow was absent from the meeting.
