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Kenilworth council debates summer‑camp fee increases and three‑day option during workshop; no formal vote
Summary
At a workshop session March 16, Kenilworth recreation staff presented multi‑year camp revenue and registration data and proposed raising resident fees to close a payroll shortfall; councilmembers discussed raising nonresident rates, restoring a three‑day option, and alternative fee schedules but took no formal action.
Recreation director Kristen Boyle told the Kenilworth Borough Council at a March 16 workshop that summer‑camp revenue has fallen and payroll costs have risen, leaving last season in a deficit position without prior reserves.
Boyle presented multi‑year figures showing resident and nonresident registrations and receipts: she said the borough brought in $109,192 in camp fees in 2018 and $100,006.29 in 2019; after COVID years and a recovery period, revenues and starting balances fluctuated, and in 2025 the program brought in $86,432 while payroll for the summer was $95,129. Boyle said the 2024 increase in nonresident fees coincided with a sharp drop in nonresident registrations (from 196 nonresidents in 2023 to 48 in 2024, and 34 in 2025) and that resident registrations also declined (225 residents in 2023 to 167 in 2024 to 145 in 2025). She said program operations have been reduced (no field trips, fewer supplied shirts and events) and recommended raising resident rates so the program can be self‑sustaining.
Proposals and debate: Council members and staff discussed several alternatives. Options discussed by council members during the workshop included:
- returning a three‑day option (examples given: $60 resident / $90 nonresident for three days), - raising five‑day fees to $100 for residents and $150 for nonresidents (a proposal on the table), and - a mayoral suggestion of $85 for residents and $160 for nonresidents with the three‑day option reinstated.
Several council members said increases should be applied across the board rather than placing the burden on residents alone; others said the town has historically subsidized recreation and that residents—who benefit most from the program—should be protected. Council members also discussed operational revenue ideas such as charging for before/after care and adjusting counselor staffing to match enrollment projections. Boyle said projections and final pricing must account for counselor ratios, payroll hours, and the number of anticipated participants.
No formal action taken: The discussion was a workshop item and the council did not adopt a fee ordinance or fee resolution at the meeting. Several members signaled support for reopening the three‑day option and for a modest resident fee increase; council members asked the director to bring back refined numbers and an implementation plan to a future meeting or the appropriate committee for a formal vote.
Next steps: Recreation staff will prepare cost estimates (payroll, program supplies, potential aftercare fees), model revenue under different attendance scenarios and return with a recommendation and proposals the council can vote on in a subsequent meeting.
