Sussex Borough re-establishes DPW

SUSSEX BOROUGH — The Sussex Borough Council voted 4-1 to re-establish the Department of Public Works as of Jan. 1, 2016.

Councilwoman Annette Stendor was absent.

Councilwoman Georgeanna Stoll voted against the measure because the borough does not have a cost-analysis to compare bringing the DPW back in house to the cost of previous shared services agreements with neighboring municipalities. She said,

“We are spending money before we know what we can afford,” she said. "How can you decide if you don't have all those figures?”

The resolution also instructs Municipal Clerk/Administrator Mark Zschack to advertise for one supervisor and two laborer positions.

Mayor Jonathan Rose said the resolution allows Zschack to form the DPW once again, along with the DPW and Personnel Committees.

Councilwoman Katherine Little also said the resolution brings personnel on now to help get the project going.

The council also unanimously passed a resolution to gauge the interest from surrounding towns for à la carte DPW Services, after it was unanimously amended to only ask for à la carte and not full-service DPW interest.

Both Councilmen Robert Holowach and Mario Poggi have concerns about salt for the winter.

Holowach also said Hardyston clearly terminated Sussex Borough, and without the resolution, the municipality might have to hire a lawn service to do everything, which would be costly.

Poggi said the resolution will help the borough regarding who might be able to help out in an à la carte arrangement until they are ready to go full speed ahead. He said he is worried about the expired contract when it comes to salt and water services in case of a water break.