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STATEMENT BY TOWNSHIP MANAGER JOSEPH HARTNETT REGARDING “PRIVATIZATION” OF THE CLARY ANDERSON ARENA |
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June 16, 2008
As part of this year’s budget deliberations, the Township is moving forward with arrangements to have a private company manage the Clary Anderson Arena. This is a common arrangement for similar facilities that has proven successful throughout the country, including right here in Essex County.
Getting the expense of operating the arena out of the township budget helps the Township meet the 3.5% budget cap mandated by the State of New Jersey. But it is also anticipated that this would result in better operations and better services and programs for Montclair citizens.
The Township would retain full ownership of the arena and would also retain final approval rights over scheduling and fees. Any agreement would also provide a cancellation clause in the event the Township is not satisfied with the operation of the arena or feels that it was not properly serving Montclair residents, programs, and teams.
While the current initiative has been prompted by budget cap considerations, the idea for having professional private management of the arena has been discussed for several years by many citizens and arena-related groups as a way of improving the facility and its service to the community.
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