BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

UPPER FREEHOLD — The Freehold Area Health Department (FAHD), which provides various services to the township, wants a hefty pay increase for its 2006-07 interlocal agreement.

However, even with the proposed increase, Upper Freehold Township would still not be paying its fair share, based on the FAHD’s budget and activities as presented to the township’s Board of Health at its Jan. 10 meeting.

Upper Freehold Township’s Board of Health member George King said that the FAHD’s entire budget amounts to $512,600. He said services to Upper Freehold account for 38 percent of the FAHD’s activities in 2005.

Based on those numbers, King said that the township should pay the FAHD about $175,000 for its services.

The FAHD covers Upper Freehold, Freehold Township and Freehold Borough, according to FAHD Health Officer Margaret Jahn.

Upper Freehold paid the FAHD $35,000 per year in 2004-05. For the next two years, Jahn said the FAHD wants $55,000 annually. She said the bulk of the FAHD’s budget goes toward salaries.

“[Upper Freehold is] roughly one-third of our total operating budget,” Jahn said. “That’s why I’m asking you to raise the fees. Other towns don’t want to subsidize you.”

Jahn said Upper Freehold consumes a good portion of her time.

Board of Health Chairman Dr. S. Perrine Dey said the contract with FAHD would remain the same, except for the amount of money charged. He said the contracts are done on a two-year basis because, by law, if a township wants to change its health officers, it must give at least six months’ notice.

In the past, Dey said, the FAHD raised its fees by approximately $2,000 per year, so the township would experience a $4,000 increase in a two-year contract.

Jahn said that over the past few years, the FAHD has attempted to refine its cost estimates, as its role in the delivery of public health services has changed.

“Health-related activities in Upper Freehold are no longer just well and septic systems,” Jahn said.

According to Jahn, user fees, such as billing escrows, and increased permit fees could cover the increase in service costs.

Dey said the board introduced an ordinance last month that would raise fees for new septics from $200 to $400. However, the increase would not go into effect until after a public hearing, which would take at least two months to schedule.

According to Jahn, the FAHD has provided Upper Freehold with services for more than 20 years. The services it provides include investigation of environmental complaints, protection and monitoring of surface and groundwater, and inspection and permission of septic systems.

The FAHD also monitors the community health status, and diagnoses and investigates health problems and hazards. In addition, the department supervises recreational bathing; campgrounds; plan reviews for Planning and Zoning boards; occupational and public health nuisances; solid waste; weed control; control of rabies and zoonosis, a disease communicable from animals to humans under natural conditions; and emergency response and enforcement.

“We have enjoyed our long-standing relationship with Upper Freehold Township and look forward to continuing to provide quality services at a reasonable cost to all,” Jahn said.

The board voted to send a copy of the interlocal agreement to Board of Health Attorney Granville Michael Magee for review before making a decision.