The Alternative Press

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – It might be a case of David versus Goliath where the borough assumes the role of David in an “uphill” battle that won’t be decided by a slingshot.

At last night’s meeting, Councilman Dr. Bob Robinson turned-up the heat on county freeholders asking why they had not pursued potential cost savings by consolidating the county’s Police and Sheriff’s departments. 

“Union County is one of only two counties in the state that has both agencies,” Robinson said. Approximately 20 percent of all borough tax receipts go to the county.  “Will consolidation save money and if not we need to know why,” he added. 

Robinson cited the efforts of a local resident Pat Moschetta, who is waging a lonely battle in Elizabeth, to bring the matter before the freeholders. 

Mayor J. Brooke Hern said he believed consolidation would save taxpayer money without compromising public safety. “Why do we need two different structures?” he added.

Robinson along with Councilman Armand Gallucio suggested the mayor and the Borough Council jointly send a letter of inquiry to the county and request that a freeholder attend a future meeting to discuss the issue. 

In other action, the Borough Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that would reduce the speed limit to 35 mph on the entirety of Maple Street.  Currently, Maple is 35 mph from Mountain Avenue to Central Avenue and then increasing to 40 mph at its terminus at Springfield. 

Borough Administrator Doug Marvin said that the change was based on an engineering and traffic study aimed at reducing speeding and improving public safety.

Councilman James Cucco introduced a resolution amending a five-year contract to the borough’s recycling contractor.  “This will save us $7,800 a year,” Cucco said. 

The councilman also reminded residents that effective Oct. 1 recycling will be easier than ever. 

On that date, the borough will be changing to single stream recycling no longer requiring residents to separate recycling materials.  “All recycling materials can be placed, unsorted, in one recycling bin,” he said. 

Cucco expressed hope that the revision would spur residents to recycle more acceptable materials rather than disposal through garbage pick-up.  Recycling is a fixed expense that, unlike garbage pick-up, doesn’t vary according to volume.