March 12, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Franklin Lakes Boating at nature preserve may soon be reality by Frank J. McMahon The use of boats, canoes, kayaks, or similar watercraft at the Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve could become a reality this spring. The Franklin Lakes Borough Council recently intro- duced an ordinance that, if adopted at the March 18 public meeting, would permit boaters to use designated areas of the upper basin. Boaters would be limited to watercraft that is trans- ported atop or inside a vehicle. Boats transported by a trailer would be prohibited, and motors of any sort would be prohibited. According to the ordinance, paddleboards, surfboards, and all other watercraft designed to be operated while standing, would be prohibited. In addition, the ordinance states that boats may only be launched from the designated boat launch, which is located adjacent to the nature preserve parking area off High Mountain Road. Swimming or entering the water from shore or from boats would be prohibited. In addition, boating at the nature preserve would only be permitted from dawn to dusk from April 1 through Sept. 30 of each year. Children under the age of 16 would not be permitted on boats without adult supervision, and loud music from boats would be prohibited. The ordinance also states that personal flotation devices must be worn by the operator of the boat and all of its pas- sengers, and boats must be hand-carried from the nature preserve parking area to the designated boat launch. Mayor Frank Bivona originally proposed the idea to the council which, after a discussion of pros and cons at several council work sessions, authorized a survey of bor- ough residents. That survey, according to Councilman Joseph Kelly, chairman of the council’s Recreation and Parks Commit- tee, resulted in 264 residents indicating they were in favor of permitting boating at the nature preserve while 69 were opposed to the concept. Kelly said those favoring the proposal voiced the opin- ion that the preserve is underused, and allowing boating at the property would build a greater sense of community. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart told the council the borough’s risk manager has advised that the borough would be covered by its liability insur- ance. He also said the plan would be revenue neutral, and it would have no effect on taxes. Bivona also advised that there would not be a charge for non-residents to bring their boats to the nature pre- serve because the property was purchased with the state’s Green Acres grant money, which requires the land to be open to all members of the public. Councilwoman Paulette Ramsey was the lone member of the council to oppose the ordinance. She explained that previous borough councils had considered a similar proposal, but voted not to introduce such an ordinance, preferring instead to allow only passive recreation at the nature preserve. Ramsey made a motion to table the ordinance until the borough gathered more information about the actions other towns have taken on this issue and learned about their concerns. She also pointed out that the majority of the borough’s residents did not participate in the survey. However, no other council member seconded Ramsey’s motion. The motion to introduce the ordinance, which was made by Kelly and seconded by Councilman Charles Kahwaty, was approved by a 5-1 vote of the council.