Sussex Borough puts off DPW resolution

SUSSEX BOROUGH — The Sussex Borough Council tabled an amended resolution seeking information regarding Department of Public Works services from other communities after an agreement could not be reached.

The council is expected to discuss the issue again at its meeting expected on Tuesday, June 16.

While the council investigates bringing the department to the borough full time, Councilman Robert Holowach proposed a safety net resolution for Administrator/Clerk Mark Zschack to find out the cost of à la carte DPW shared services from surrounding communities.

Holowach said he would like to have a Plan B because the DPW Committee: Councilwoman Katherine Little, Councilman Mario Poggi and himself was having problems getting the information they needed to launch the borough's own DPW once again.

During an almost 44-minute discussion which became tense at times, Mayor Jonathan Rose brought the council back to the actual resolution at least eight times. He also proposed a change to Holowach's resolution to include contacting surrounding towns for their interest in an à la carte DPW shared service and/or total shared service.

The amendment passed 4-2. Council President Linda Masson and Councilwoman Annette Stendor voted no.

Masson agreed with à la carte for some services, but said to find out the information for total shared services would let the DPW Committee “off the hook.”

Stendor told the DPW Committee to roll up their sleeves and see what they have.

“If you're not up to the challenge, then step aside, and let some other people step in,” Masson said.

Holowach said the committee is up to the challenge.

Masson later said she personally felt certain candidates who were for shared services were only speaking up after the election, because of the cost. She said they did not want to look at what is gained by bringing the DPW back in house.

Information regarding how much the borough saved by sharing DPW services was not available at the meeting.

Regarding the resolution, Stoll also said she did not “see what it hurts. You're not signing a contract. You're just getting information.”

“I'm not deciding to get rid of anything," Poggi said. "I just want to know where we stand, and to be accused that that's my path, is wrong.”