The Alternative Press

MILLBURN, NJ - Six police dispatchers turned out at Tuesday night’s Township Committee meeting to express concerns that dispatch services will be merged with Livingston Township.

Township officials assured them that no decision has been taken yet, however, and they are still in the preliminary stages of gathering information.

Committee member Thomas McDermott, who is working with fellow committee member Theodore Bourke on the project, said they have not yet received a proposal from Livingston and that plenty of notice will be given before any discussion takes place.

When one dispatcher asked if positions will be terminated in January, McDermott responded, “It’s highly unlikely anything will be done [before January].”

“We need to know if this can work,” Bourke said, indicating the issue has many facets. “That is why it’s taking so long.”

Another dispatcher asked if Livingston will make an offer for Millburn’s employees.

McDermott said the committee is nowhere near making that decision, adding, “We’re sensitive to keeping people employed.”

He promised when he and Bourke are ready to present a report, they will give a month’s notice so members of the public can be involved.

In other business, the governing body introduced an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of easements to two property owners whose homes are adjacent to Old Short Hills Park. The property owners—Haykell Development, L.L.C, and Dr. and Mrs. Zenon Matkiwsky—need the easements for their driveways, but originally were barred from using the land because it was designated as state parkland.

Haykell Development brought a lawsuit against the township, and township officials subsequently received approval for use of the parkland for private purposes. Last month the judge for the case directed the township to convey the easements.

The amount the property owners must pay for the easements is still to be determined, but they are to put up security of $113,000 each, or $226,000 total, in the meantime.

Also at the session, the committee approved an agreement between the township and the East Orange Water Commission giving access to the reserve on Parsonage Hill Road for deer management.

The township will again use United Bowhunters to conduct this season’s program, according to committee member Robert Tillotson. The service provider will only use shotguns and not bows for the hunting, he said.

Tillotson said at the last session committee members approved a deer management program on the township’s Par 3 course.

Early in the evening, the committee approved two appointments and two promotions in the fire department. Jose Soto, 27, and David Hammond, 28, will become firefighters.

Firefigher Steven Pagnillo is being promoted to fire captain, and Capt. James Boyle is being promoted to the rank of battalion fire chief.

Fire Chief Michael Roberts thanked committee members for their support of the department and for fully staffing its ranks.

In addition, the committee issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 22-26 as Red Ribbon Week, designed to raise awareness and combat drug and alcohol abuse among students.