By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Surplus truck slated for auction
The Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday to allow the Somerset County Purchasing Department to schedule an auction to sell a 1992 Dodge Dakota pickup truck.
Council President Susan Asher did not attend the meeting.
According to the resolution, the Manville Department of Public Works has determined that the vehicle is no longer of use to the borough.
Council takes stand against COAH rules
The Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution to express its opposition to the new regulations by the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), which would require the borough to develop a plan for affordable housing based on growth.
According to the resolution, Manville is already substantially developed, and the affordable housing plan would negatively impact the municipality.
The resolution will be sent to Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, Assemblyman Pete Biondi, Assemblywoman Denise Coyle and Joseph Doria, commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.
Borough balks at bill’s requirements
To oppose two bills currently before the House and Senate, the Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution against a proposed requirement that would force municipalities to hire qualified purchasing agents.
A purchasing agent is charged with engaging in purchasing in compliance with the Local Public Contracts Law.
According to the resolution, the borough objects because it already has staff, including administrators and municipal managers, who are capable of performing these tasks. In addition, it says it is believed that having to hire such officials would be costly to the residents themselves.
The resolution will be sent to Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, Assemblyman Pete Biondi and Assemblywoman Denise Coyle.
New library carpet bids sought
The Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution to award $1,000 to Cornerstone Architectural Group, L.L.C. for the purpose of rebidding for the installation of new carpet in the Manville Public Library, on South Tenth Avenue.
At the Feb. 25 meeting, the council rejected all bids that had already been submitted because they were deemed to be too expensive for the project.
Parking at hall reserved
In response to a resident request, Councilman Stephen Szabo said the borough is looking to reserve at least five parking spaces next to borough hall for patrons of the building only.
A resident expressed concerns at both the Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 meetings that the parking lot at borough hall is often filled to capacity with people at nearby establishments on North Main Street.
There are already three spaces reserved in the lot, two for handicapped parking and one for the mayor.
