Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-11-15
FINANCE ISSUE
ON PARK SITE
FreehoIders and Recreation
Workers Have Conference
on Menlo Park Site Today
COUNTY LOOKS FOR FUNDS
How to Turn Property Over
to RecreationaI Body is One
Question Raised

Members of the board of free
holders in conference this morning
with Representatives of the Mid
dlesex County Recreational Council
and delegates from various organi-
cations on the grounds of the large
county tuberculosis site at Menlo
Park brought up the question of
financing the project should the
freeholders act favorably in turn
ing over the tract of land to the
council for a public park and camp
site for children.
Freeholder Clarence M. Haight
said that the board would not con-
slider turning over the land or take
further action in that direction un-
til the council and others interest
ed in the plan could show just how
the financing of the construction OF
the buildings and the up-keep of the
park would be effected. Freehold
er Robert r. Vandenberg was also
doubtful whether the taxpayers OF
the county would agree to reverting
the property to the council without
legislation. Definite and tentative
information as to the financial status
in connection with the plan was ask
ed, before the freeholders would
take action.
Harry S. Medinets told the free
holders that an appeal is being made
to all the organizations of the coun-
ty, some five hundred of them, and
that there was no doubt that a great
er percentage of them would be will
ing to support the project financially.
He believed that the freeholders
should give the council an assur-
ance that they will lease the tract
of land for period of years, so that
such assurance could be brought to
the attention of the organization and
their support enlisted. However, he
believed that within a short time
those interested in the promotion
of the plan would be in a position 10
submit concrete plan apparently
to the satisfaction of the freehold
ers.
Miss Jane Packard produced
communication from Albert r. john
son, associate professor of civil en-
gineering, in which he states that
there is sufficient slope in the tract
to make good under drains OF some
of the low land at moderate cost.
An inspection of part OF the tract
was made, and it was the general
meet with the requirements. for the
purpose it is intended.
DIR. Silk agreed with Mr.. Medlnets
that the aim could be accomplished
much sooner had the recreahonal
league definite knowledge that
they would be granted the right to
use the tract for a park and camp
site. He believed that it would be
wasted effort to proceed with the
plans and later not to receive the
anticipated consideration. DR.. SILK
assured the freeholders that he has
been in communication with the
heads of the labor unions here who
promised to procure the labor free
for the building work thus saving
a great deal of money. He also be
ueved that the building supply
trades would assist by selling the
needed material at an unusually low
price.
At the conference We're: Free
holders Haight, Vandenbergh, Wal
ter Quakenbush; Mrs. Charles A.
Priclett. of Metuchen, DIR. Charles
7. Silk, Miss Jane Packard, l.. -.
Molineux. Mrs. Frank Dorsey W. u.
Pratt and Harry S. Medinets.