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Construction dept. spending questioned
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - July 08, 2008)
The borough council has brought the construction department’s expenses and spending into question after a debate arose over the funding of the code compliance official’s commute.
The discussion began when Borough Administrator Harold Karns informed the council that the police department needed a new car. Upon the recommendation of Karns, the council decided to give the code compliance vehicle to the police and to purchase a new car for the code compliance department.
Several years ago, when the code compliance official’s position was reduced from full time to part time and the salary cut proportionally, the borough agreed to compensate the official for the reduction by providing a vehicle for her commute. Now several years later, the council is reconsidering whether or not paying for the commute is appropriate and the governing body is reviewing the entire department’s finances.
In prefacing the discussion of the department’s spending at the July 2 council meeting, which included head of the construction department’s Michelle Wood, Karns reiterated his approval and support of past years’ spending after analyzing the annual reports produced by the department. “I think that overall the department has made a significant contribution to our activities in the borough.”
“Basically, we’ve always tried to operate our department so that we cover our expenses with our fees,” began Wood. “We’ve raised them accordingly over the last few years, we’ve had a couple of increases, nothing substantial that had a major impact on any of the residents, but just enough so that we had enough to cover everything.”
Woods continued with detailing the financial responsibilities of the department, which include covering costs of things that are generated such as salaries, benefits, cost of motor vehicles, direct costs of office supplies, and any expenses for legal or professional services necessary to the department.
“We function as we have to. We don’t look for any more than we need. As you see each year, I end up with additional moneys in my budget, that I don’t look to spend for no reason whatsoever,” said Wood. “I only want what we need to operate the department. And anything extra from there I never make too much of a commotion about being used for any improvements to the borough, the renovations or expenses for computers. It’s all par for the course and we try to be a contributing factor to the borough.”
Councilman Max Arnowitz, who dissented along with Councilman Jonathon DeJoseph, on the vote to approve the purchase of the code compliance vehicle clarified his request to analyze the spending of the department. “I have no idea, and I don’t believe anyone on this council has any idea, what’s billable, what isn’t, and how much we’re getting,” said Arnowitz. “To say that they paid for computers in the past and other equipment in the past is great. But we don’t know that, we can’t anticipate that, I guess, is what I am saying.
“I don’t want to do anything that is above the law,” continued Arnowitz. “But I want to get what the borough and the taxpayers of the town are entitled to.”
Upon recommendation from Arnowitz, the council concluded that a meeting with Borough Auditor Paul Garbarini, the finance committee, and head of the construction department Michelle Wood, would help officials analyze and clarify the spending of the department.
“Those are fair questions for people who have to make those decisions. It would be nice to be able to translate some of the knowledge that you carry around with you. And we appreciate the work that you do,” said Mayor John Sapanara.
Karns will organize a meeting for the various individuals involved to discuss the matter further.
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
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