BY VINCE ECHAVARIA
Staff Writer
HOLMDEL — After asking the Township Committee to seek public bids in the awarding of professional contracts, Committeeman Terence Wall was schedlued to address a proposed ordinance Feb. 23 that requires competition for all professional service contracts.
Wall, who is expected to run for re-election in November on the Republican ticket, first addressed competitive negotiation Jan. 26, but after the committee wanted more research done on the ordinance, he decided to postpone it to a later date. He has since tried to get support from residents on the ordinance by mailing out informational fliers.
At the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting, Wall said the committee should consider seeking bids when awarding professional contracts. He said although the committee does not bid for professional contracts, it does admit that bidding is possible.
After members said they did not want to change the process, Wall said they should consider a change. At the Jan. 26 meeting, he asked the committee to introduce a "competitive negotiation" ordinance, which he said is a very straightforward document that introduces professionals to the bidding process.
"It blends the flexibility of who is awarded a contract and who isn’t, and it offers a better pricing format," Wall said.
Very few municipalities throughout the state have adopted similar ordinances, and the committee asked that Wall research other towns that use the process and the expenses involved. Wall said the town of Westfield has used the process since 1999, according to Common Cause.
Other area mayors, whose committees also don’t have public bidding for professional contracts, had different views on the competitive negotiation process.
"It’s never been done before and we have a good system now, so I don’t prefer to change it," said Keyport Mayor John Merla.
"I don’t see an advantage to going that route," Aberdeen Mayor David Sobel said. "I think the people and professionals we have are competent with a very good track record, and we get good services for what we’re paying."
"It can open a can of worms in some situations, and it’s driven by politics," Middletown Mayor Joan Smith said. "You’re going to get a competitive side always bidding lower to steer things in a different direction."
The ordinance would require the township put professional contracts out for bid, Wall said. Professional services are not subject to be put out to bid. The ordinance opens up the process, he said, and it eliminates the awarding of contracts without any set standards or guidelines.
Mayor Larry Fink has said that a risk involved would be the possibility of having to give a contract to the lowest bidder. Unlike public bidding, competitive negotiation still leaves the power to award a contract in the committee’s hands.
"It takes a step toward having a more open public process and allows the municipality the free will to award a contract as they see fit," Wall said. "The town retains total control with healthy competition at the same-quality work and a lower price."
Wall said the advantage of bidding for professional contracts is the benefit to the taxpayer. He said he is very sure taxpayers will save money through bids because of the competition created between the professionals.
"The taxpayers will save money while retaining professional services, and healthy competition provides the best rates," Wall said.
When asked about their feelings on competitive negotiation, some committee members said they did not see a need for a change in the process.
"It looks like the process we used last year with the same criteria," Fink said. "I don’t see a clear need for this, but I’m willing to look into it."
"Our job is to pick the professional that will do the best job for the town, and you lose that in a bid atmosphere," said Committeewoman Serena DiMaso. "The process will take the control out of our hands."
Township Attorney Duane Davison said the annual bid process with interviews could be exhausting and a little overwhelming.
"If it’s exhausting to ensure the best possible professional, they may want to reconsider what they’re doing to help the taxpayer," Wall said.
Fink said that last year the committee had a similar process when it interviewed a handful of professionals. Wall said last year was a different situation, because this year the committee interviewed no one and it was not consistent.
Wall said he will continue to push for the ordinance because it offers consistency on an ongoing basis.
"It’s a simple approach to a transparent government, and voters want an open government and lower taxes," Wall said. "This is one way to do both."