BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — An annual fee for residents to use the township’s bulk item drop-off center will go into effect in January.
On June 2, the Township Council adopted an ordinance to implement a $75 annual fee for use of the drop-off center.
Council President Joseph Pernice, Councilwoman Patricia Morelli and Councilman Barry Denkensohn voted to adopt the ordinance. Councilman James Mione voted against the adoption of the recycling fee. Councilman Jeff Cantor was not present.
The township maintains a facility near the Marlboro Recreation Community Center that residents may use to discard certain bulk items. According to Pernice, these items may include wood, bicycles or household appliances.
Pernice described the $75 fee as a pass that residents may purchase for unlimited use of the drop-off center. The ordinance also implements an additional fee of $25 per item for the disposal of air conditioning units and refrigerators that contain Freon. Pernice said the reason for the additional fee is to pay for the removal of the Freon from the appliance.
The council president said disposal of the items being dropped off and the effort to remove the Freon from certain appliances is costing Marlboro a lot of money. Pernice said the council is imposing the fee due to budget constraints.
This year’s $28.2 million municipal budget included a tax increase of 8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
During the public hearing on the ordinance, William Waple said he believes the fee is unfair to residents especially when there are other ways of saving money.
Director of Public Works Bob DiMarco said he believes residents who use the drop-off center on a regular basis will accept the fee.
Denkensohn said he believes the new fee will encourage people to keep their unwanted items at home until such time as the township collects them as part of an annual pickup.
Mione said the fee is too steep and unwarranted, especially for those residents who only use the center once a year. He said there is a problem with illegal dumping in town and said he believes the fee will encourage more people to illegally dump items in Marlboro.
Morelli said the fee is not too high and said she believes it is fair to all the residents in Marlboro.
Pernice said Marlboro is a beautiful town and he does not see a problem with illegal dumping. He said implementing the annual fee is a step the council needs to take to raise revenues. He said residents will still be able to take advantage of the annual pick-up of bulk items without paying the $75 fee.
Mayor Robert Kleinberg said only people who use the drop-off center will be charged. He said this is one way municipal officials are trying to raise revenue.