By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
ENGLISHTOWN – The Borough Council has put a plan in place for the collection of garbage and recyclable materials for the next five years in Englishtown.
At their meeting on Nov. 21, members of the council voted 6-0 to award a pair of contracts to M&S Waste Services Inc., West Keansburg. The company currently collects garbage and recyclables in the borough.
Borough Administrator Laurie Finger said M&S Waste Services was the lowest responsible bidder for each contract. Documents submitted by the company were reviewed for legal compliance and found to be acceptable by Borough Attorney Joseph Youssouf.
Councilman Eric Mann said residents have indicated to him that they are generally pleased with the service being provided by M&S Waste Services.
Finger said Englishtown is paying M&S Waste Services about $60,000 in 2016 for garbage collection two times per week.
The garbage collection contract that was awarded to M&S Waste Services provides the following annual increases: 1.85 percent in year 1, 2.25 percent in year 2, 2.95 percent in year 3, 2.37 percent in the first additional year and 1.92 percent in the second additional year, according to the administrator, who said the increases are in line with tax levy cap limitations.
The garbage collection contract will begin on Jan. 1, 2017. In the fifth year, Englishtown will be paying $67,182 for garbage collection services.
Finger said Englishtown is paying M&S Waste Services about $15,500 in 2016 for the collection and disposal of co-mingled curbside and bulk recyclables twice per month.
M&S Waste Services is going to raise that amount by 26 percent, to $19,561, for 2017 and then have the following increases: 2.89 percent in year 2, 2.42 percent in year 3, 2.40 percent in the first additional year and 1.46 percent in the second additional year, according to the administrator.
The recyclables collection contract will begin on Jan. 1, 2017. In the fifth year, Englishtown will be paying $21,415 for the collection of recyclable materials.
In other business, the council members voted to have current employee Celia Hecht assume the title of deputy tax collector, and to appoint Deputy Court Administrator Lisa Langlois as the municipal court administrator.
According to a resolution, the position of municipal court administrator became vacant on Sept. 16 and Langlois has been performing the duties of the position since Sept. 17.
The position of municipal court administrator was advertised and interviews were conducted by representatives of the borough and representatives of the Monmouth County Vicinage.
According to the resolution, it was the recommendation of Englishtown’s Finance and Personnel Committee in conjunction with Municipal Court Judge James Newman and the Monmouth County Vicinage to appoint Langlois as Englishtown’s full-time municipal court administrator.
The appointment was effective Nov. 1. Langlois’ performance will be evaluated by Newman following a 90-day probation period, according to the resolution.