Regulations for arcade to have public hearing

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Rules that will regulate the operation of a new entertainment arcade are expected to be in place in the near future.

Freehold Township officials have introduced two ordinances that address gaming fees and arcade operations. Both ordinances are scheduled for a public hearing and a possible vote for adoption at the Aug. 31 meeting of the Township Committee.

The ordinances were introduced on Aug. 10.

The new laws will pertain to the iPlay America arcade that will be a tenant in the Renaissance Plaza, Schanck Road, according to Township Administrator Thomas Antus.

Construction crews have been working for the past month converting the former Pathmark/Rickel shopping center into a new retail facility. iPlay America, a family entertainment center, will be one of the new tenants in the Renaissance Plaza.

Joseph Lombardi, the leasing agent for the plaza, said last fall that the family entertainment center was one of the first tenants to lease space in the revitalized plaza.

According to Lombardi, iPlay America will feature battery-operated go-carts,miniature golf, arcade games and children’s amusement rides. Rooms and food will be available for parties.

The plaza is also expected to offer traditional retail shops and services such as a pharmacy, a dry cleaner and restaurants.

Antus said discussions took place between the owner of Renaissance Plaza, Robert McDaid, and township officials. He said details were worked out and the committee will now be able to vote on the pertinent ordinances.

Any member of the public who wishes to comment on either ordinance will have the opportunity to do so at the Aug. 31 committee meeting.

One ordinance will establish annual license fees for facilities authorized to conduct amusement games with prizes or awards.

According to the ordinance, “each amusement game or machine will cost $195 annually and music machines (juke boxes) will cost $65 annually.” The ordinance states that the maximum annual fee to be paid by operators of such facilities will not exceed $5,000.

The second ordinance pertains to the entertainment center’s hours of operation and other aspects dealing with the licensing of games.

The ordinance states that the Township

Committee will have and exercise control over all amusements, games operated or conducted under such license.

According to the ordinance, the licensees will be permitted to operate and conduct any amusements and games on the licensed premises as follows:

• When school is in session: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (except when the following Monday is a holiday and then until midnight).

• When school is not in session: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to midnight.

The determination of holidays will be based on the Freehold Township K-8 School District calendar.

In other business, Township Committee members adopted an ordinance pertaining to the speed limit on certain roads.

The speed limit was amended on the following streets:

• Wemrock Road between Route 537 and Gully Road, from 50 mph to 35 mph;

• Double Creek Parkway, the entire length of the street will remain 25 mph, but it will now be a township-mandated speed limit and not a state-imposed speed limit;

• Nomoco Road, the entire length will be decreased from 50 mph to 40 mph.

According to Antus, Nomoco Road was previously unmarked and therefore had a speed limit of 50 mph. He said speed surveys were conducted on the road and the average speed was found to be 38 mph, so the speed has now been set at 40 mph by ordinance.