Anyone wishing to rent a field for facility in Middletown will now be looking at a new fee structure.  

The 2009 fee schedule has undergone an overhaul, after the Township Committee asked the Director of Recreation to compare what Middletown was charging versus other towns. It was determined that it was not even enough to cover the actual operating and maintenance costs. 

Not only that, but some folks were actually suspected of booking field when they had no intention of using them -- known as "squatting." And there were stories that some were even subletting them.

The fees will go directly into the fields and  will result in a "better, safer, athletic facilities," said Mayor Tony Fiore, who worked with Board of Education member Vinnie Brand on the revision. 

Here are the new rules, from the ordinance passed unanimously Monday evening under the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs ordinance.

It falls under "Section Z" Facility application fee: (processing fee for indoor and/or outdoor facility use permit, i.e., ballfields, class/meeting rooms, gymnasiums, etc.) 

• Permit Fee.  Unless otherwise specified by a duly adopted Agreement approved by the governing body or another provision of the Township Code, all individuals or organizations leasing available fields or facilities shall pay a permit or rental fee in the amount of $20 per 2-hour period per day for each individual field or facility. (Formerly, an applicant paid $25 per application for 1-26 days use, and $50 for up to 50 days use, for example.) 

• Refunds.  Full refunds shall be granted if a field or facility is rendered unusable by the Township for maintenance or other purposes. 50% refunds shall be granted if a reservation for a field or facility is cancelled for any reason by the applicant if cancelled at least 48 hours in advance of the reserved time.

•  No Subletting or Assignment Permitted.  Only the individuals or organizations making reservations for the utilization of fields or facilities may utilize them for the allocated time reserved.  Any unauthorized subletting or assignment of reserved times to individuals or groups other than those making the reservation may result in ejection from the premises, the forfeiting of other reservations made without any refund and affect an individual or group’s eligibility to secure future reservations.