January 24, 2008
To the Editor:
On Dec. 6,in my letter to the editor in The Sparta Independent, I commented about the excesses of government in Sparta, both in terms of everyday operations but most directly regarding the proposed mandatory garbage collection as set forth by the Sparta Township Council. Many issues, hidden agendas and incorrect statements have appeared in the local newspapers since my first comments. Those Spartans who know me understand that I seldom rally to causes or issues, especially something that is political. This issue, however, is different because it represents “
Because of this issue, I was privileged to meet and join up with Jesse Wolosky, and many other fine people of
On Dec. 27, at the council meeting the following facts were introduced by Wolosky which were not publicized by any media till now. Additional documented facts were discovered after the meeting, which every registered voter of
Some of the factual information is as follows:
Over two years ago after Sept. 7, 2005 when the “Uniform Bid Specifications on Solid Waste” from Waste Management was bid on, and introduced to the council members, the Township Manager Henry Underhill was directed by the former mayor and past council members not pursue a garbage contract without an opt out clause, this information is from the minutes of the council meetings in 2005. Conveniently, he welcomed a new mayor and two new councilmen who believed that a mandatory garbage utility was a great thing. Bid specifications were received by Oct. 2, 2007 only by Waste Management and Blue Diamond.
Under New Jersey Law, Title 40A:1-1 “Definitions” states any municipality in creating a utility may: “receive fees, rents or other charges.” This is evident with the current water utility bill that we are being charged a service fee to maintain the water utility. If you have a ¾ inch water line meter, you are paying 25 cents per day or $91.25 per year in service charges. If you have a newer home and have a 1 inch water line meter, you are paying 67 cents per day or $244.55 per year in service charges. This information is from the
The contract between Blue Diamond and Sparta Township states on page 2, article 4 under “Payment” that Sparta Township will pay in the first year $120,000 each month to Blue Diamond ($1,440,000 per year). Because the township will be paying in advance Blue Diamond $120,000 each month and will not send out bills until the end of the quarter, Sparta will lose around $4,500 in interest income per quarter, (4X $4,500=$18,000 of lost interest income per year) at the current rate of 4.5 percent by withdrawing funds out of it’s “State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund Account.” (All Municipalities use this type of higher interest account). Since the contract rate increases $60,000 the second year to ($1,500,000 per year) and another $60,000 the third year to ($1,560,000 per year), this loss of interest income will grow accordingly.
We keep reading in the Township notice of 12/20/2007 on page 1 and in The Sparta Independent dated January 3rd, 2008 on the front page “The Fact is that residents would pay $240 a year for the next three years, no more.” (6,000X $240=. $1,440,000) Realize that in actual fact, the contract increases to $250 the second year (6,000X $250=$1,500,000) and $260 the third year (6,000X $260=$1,560,000) based on 6,000 single family residential properties and always with the potential of add-ons and gas surcharges.
(Waste Management charges a 13% fuel and environmental charge).
As of January, 2008 Waste Management rates are as follow:
(1X week =$379.14 per year and 2X week =$503.75 per year total price)
As of January, 2008 Blue Diamond rates are as follow:
(1X week =$300.00 per year total price, no 2X week service is offered).
If you would like to save $79.14 per year, on your 1X week Garbage service then contract directly with Blue Diamond and try them out, freedom of choice.
Also in the contract, page 4, article 10 under “Liquidated Damages.” “Due to the uncertainty in determining the specific damages The Township would incur as a result of the contractors failure to collect solid waste on the days and times specified by the contract, the contractor agrees to pay as liquidated damages the sum of $50 per dwelling for which it fails to collect the solid waste on the collection schedule agreed to by the parties.” This money is designated to go to The Township not to the individual who would be burdened with having to retrieve their garbage and store it until the next scheduled pick up. Under a private system, any credit for failed service would automatically go directly to the resident.
Less than two miles from the Sky View Golf development and the Sussex Mills development, Diamond Chip Realty, LLC mailing address P.O. Box 252, Succasunna on January 30, 2007 purchased 68 acres at 33 Demarest Rd. (
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22diamond+chip+realty%22
Township notice of 12/20/2007, page 2, under the section, “Why did the Sparta Township Council decide to form a Waste Utility?” they stated, “in terms of Township planning, there is a need for a Township solution if the current solid waste facility is eventually shut down.” This is more evidence that something is brewing behind the scenes. Such as a Sussex County Transfer Station and Recycling Facilities right here in
Blue Diamond, in addition to the possible 6,000 future
Township Manager, Mr. Henry Underhill is a hired employee of the Township and receives a compensation package well over $215,000 a year; this information is from Mr. Underhill’s current Employment Agreement with the Township. Comprised of $150,096 annual salary, car allowance of at least $350 per month, health benefits, life insurance, pension contributions, holidays, sick days, personal days, and 20 vacation days, membership dues and travel, conservatively estimated at $65,000 per year. But never the less on September 27, 2007 Mr. Underhill applied for the position of City Manager in
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/27/61_apply_naples_city_manager_job/ After seven years as Township Manager Mr. Underhill is still a renter in
This is the ordinance that was passed on December 1st, 2007 advertised in the NJ Herald on December 5th, 2007 and was written on our Petition, “An Ordinance of the Township of Sparta State of New Jersey Creating a Solid Waste Utility and Setting Forth the Method of Calculation and Collection of Service Fees for Same.” As you can clearly read, the ordinance mentions “Service Fees.” When this Ordinance is put to Referendum on March 11th, 2008 and if it is passed, you will be forced to pay for it, forever, just like Property Tax, you will be voting weather you are in favor of it or against it.
If you are against this Ordinance and want to Support Our Cause, then e-mail noongarbage@yahoo.com to join us.
I stood outside the U.S. Post Office, the Stop and Shop, in the cold, seeking petition signatures. At least one half of the 135 signatures I obtained were from people that had garbage service and would realize savings. Many stated,” I don’t feel right that I should get savings at the expense of others.”
This is not about the money! In point of fact, the dollars are minuscule to most, but to more than a few, it’s the Straw that Broke the Camels’ Back. This entire issue is about a government with unbridled spending habits seeking to obtain more revenue. It is about administrators throwing out justification numbers as though they were conceived from the pie in the sky. It is about your freedom to choose and manage your own affairs. It is about decency, honesty, principles and doing the right thing! It’s what we moved to
Sincerely,
Phillip Lid,
