Bill in state Senate is opposed by health officer, but commission members want to examine the issue
By: Courtney Gross
As discussions of municipal consolidation and privatization of state assets continue in Trenton, the Princeton Regional Health Commission is reviewing a draft resolution that would respond to a Senate bill proposing the consolidation of health departments and animal control offices on the county level.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Bob Smith (D-Piscataway) in late October, has piqued interest in the Princeton Regional Health Department, where Health Officer David Henry said further consolidation of health departments could worsen the department’s ability to combat health problems by possibly minimizing staff and funding for both Princeton Township and Princeton Borough.
But at its meeting Tuesday, members of Princeton’s joint Health Commission were hesitant to oppose municipal health department consolidations outright, referencing programs in Florida and New York where the system is said to work efficiently.
And, commission members said, lawmakers statewide have proposed a number of plans to decrease the state’s property taxes and spending some that seek to consolidate school districts or municipalities.
If approved, the Smith bill would require a county-by-county statewide question that would propose the phasing out of municipal health departments and animal control offices over two years. The bill would hand the responsibility over to the counties and would also terminate sections of state law that transfer local health department employees to other agencies if their respective departments are disbanded.
Mr. Henry, who drafted a resolution opposing the consolidation, said Princeton’s health department has been regional for 30 years.
Prior to the discussion on consolidation, Mercer County Health Department representatives appeared before the commission to discuss recent developments and projects. As one of the last countywide health departments to be formed in July 2004, representatives said, most of its duties are supplementary to municipalities.
And as Princeton’s commission considers possible health department consolidations in the future, members were concerned Tuesday evening about the status of the county health department. Members questioned Marygrace Billek, deputy director of the county department, on its abilities during disasters and crises as well as its current resources.
Also, the county department has been without a health officer for more than six months because the department’s funding cannot provide a competitive salary, Ms. Billek said.
"Our job is to really support the local health networks," Ms. Billek said. "We certainly can be designated. … we could do that," Ms. Billek said of the county’s ability to handle possible consolidation.
Most commission members would not rule out supporting consolidation, but noted that current proposals at the state level left many questions.
"I can’t be against consolidation if it’s done right," commission Chairwoman Susan Goldman Kapoor said. "There is a lot to say about regionalization. … I think it’s how it’s implemented."

