Freeholders Discuss Business Concerns of Pools, Zoo Reopening

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CREST HAVEN – Reopening the county was foremost on the minds of freeholders at their June 2 caucus.
Held via Zoom, the meeting was widely watched by motel and other business owners who are anxious to reopen after the state-imposed closure due to COVID-19.
Foremost on the minds of many motel owners were learning when they might be able to reopen their swimming pools. The answer they sought could not come from Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton. Instead, he said that he had directly asked the question earlier that day of state officials, and had received an “absolutely not” reply.
“The county has no jurisdiction,” said Thornton. “They (state) are the ones that control the opening of pools.”
Freeholder Will Morey acknowledged that the topic was one “of great concern for the last week or so” to those owners. 
Morey continued that, relative to the reopening plan, he was “pleased to see outdoor dining” and some shops reopening, and agreed, “It’s taking longer than it should. We have been lobbying … it’s a frustrating process for me.”
Along with the reopening of swimming pools and indoor dining, Morey added that “mini-golf is in a quagmire.”
Later in the meeting, Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, who oversees the operation of the County Park and Zoo, said she had met with park directors June 1. 
Reopening of the zoo, its dining facilities and the Tree-to-Tree Adventure located in the park were among the topics of that meeting. 
“The park is open, but the playgrounds are not,” said Hayes. 
She pointed to the fact that the free zoo is one of the county’s major tourist attractions, known throughout the state. Hayes said it is one of the very few zoos in the state, and likely the only one operated in conjunction with a county park.
Hayes said the zoo could be opened easily, since it is largely outdoors, and patrons could be kept at socially safe distances and controlled. However, the governor’s office must consent before the crowds can enter.
Regardless, she noted, the employees have been tending to the animals.
Further, in the zoo, the Tree-to-Tree Adventure Park is closed, since it is classified as an amusement by the state, Hayes said. She said the attraction is an outdoor facility that has a restriction that patrons remain at least 10 feet from each other, which exceeds the socially distant six feet.
The operators of that adventure have been “very responsible,” said Hayes. 
“I think it’s time that the governor realizes that we might be in a different position down here,” said Hayes. 
Additionally, Hayes said she had been contacted by a business whose “type of products are also sold at the big box stores … they are not permitted to open. It’s not equal (treatment). People are getting upset.”