One measure is aimed at ending the practice of awarding municipal service contracts to political contributors, known as "pay-to-play."
By: Melissa Edmond
The Borough Council members snuck in one final meeting before swearing in new members at Saturday’s reorganization meeting at 11 a.m.
During a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a resolution for a temporary budget, and approved a resolution intended to end the practice of awarding municipal service contracts to political contributors, known as "pay-to-play."
The council also unanimously approved the resolution calling for a fair and open process in making appointments as part of the state’s pay-to-play bans.
The resolution prohibits campaign contributions by business entities seeking or holding state contracts in certain circumstances.
Borough Administrator Gary Garwacke said the borough advertised on the borough’s Web site for the fair and open process method to appoint professionals or consultants whose fees may exceed $17,500 in 2006.
According to the resolution, the open positions include seven attorney positions, special project engineer, environmental engineer, utility engineer, architect, appraisal services, planner, and municipal auditor.
Mr. Garwacke said the positions received one response except for the special projects engineer which received two responses.
Mayor Corradino said that Tuesday was the last day the council would accept resumes for various appointment vacancies. He said he would review the resumes this week.
Mr. Garwacke noted the mayor can only consider the individuals who provided their qualifications and that the appointments will be made at Saturday’s reorganization meeting.
The council’s temporary budget included appropriations totaling $2,838,482.92.
"We’re approving the payroll for this Friday so everyone gets paid," said Mayor Angelo Corradino in a phone interview on Tuesday morning.
"The budget passed is called the 2005 temporary budget, which is mandated by the state to be 26.25 percent of the 2005 budget," Mr. Garwacke said Wednesday. "This is done every year so the borough can operate until a final budget is adopted, it may be amended from time to time as situations dictate."
The Borough Council had three voting members present at the meeting Council President Theodore Petrock III, Councilwoman Susan Asher, Councilman Kenneth Otrimski in addition to the mayor. Councilman Robert Petrone was absent from the meeting. The terms of Senga Allan and Tom Weiss expired Dec. 31.