Waldwick July 15, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 The Boroughs of Waldwick and Midland Park have entered into yet another shared service agreement, this time for the services of the court administrator. “This is an opportunity to share personnel and reduce costs for each of our communities while not adversely impacting the level of services provided to our residents, commented Waldwick Councilman Donald Sciolaro, head of the Public Safety Committee. “We look forward to the venture’s success as we continue to seek other economies on our operational costs,” he added. Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding worked out by the administrators of both municipalities, each town will maintain its current, separate court office and court officers, judge, prosecutor, and public defender. These separate courts will remain in their respective boroughs. Midland Park’s Court Administrator Allison Blau will divide her time between the two towns and administrate two court sessions per month in each borough. During Borough to share court administrator’s services regular business hours, each office will be able to transact business for both municipalities, take phone calls, accept payments, answer questions, and any other reasonable and customary activities associated with the statutory responsibilities of a court office relating to either borough. While acknowledging that the new agreement is still in the first weeks of operation, Waldwick Borough Administrator Gary Kratz said, “We’re happy with the way things are going and we’re looking forward to continued success.” “This unique agreement, while a shared service, is actually a feasibility study for both boroughs,” said Borough Administrator Michelle Dugan. “Most often, feasibility studies are a paper exercise. In this case, it will be a real time opportunity to develop efficiencies of operations, find out what works, and make adaptations as things need to be adjusted.” The agreement is structured for a finite period from July 1, to Dec. 31, 2009, during which time the borough administrators are required to study and evaluate the operations and make recommendations to the governing bodies by Nov. 15. Should a decision be made to go beyond this time frame with a permanent shared service agreement, the arrangement would have to be approved by Bergen County Assignment Judge Peter E. Doyne. The Borough of Waldwick will pay Midland Park $19,000 to share the salary and fringe benefits of the court admin- istrator and fund added personnel costs. Both municipalities will share the budgeted salary and fringe benefits on a 50/50 basis. The added personnel costs of approximately $6,400 for the feasibility study will be split 75/25, $4,800 for Waldwick and $1,600 for Midland Park. As a result of this agreement, the Borough of Midland Park will realize a savings of nearly $13,000 during this six month study phase. Both boroughs have a proud history of (continued on page 6) Neale Bedrock, a 24-year resident of Waldwick, has been named the borough’s next municipal judge. Bedrock’s appointment has been approved by the Waldwick Council and will take effect Aug. 1. He will serve the unexpired term left vacant by the retirement of Judge Dennis Lahiff. That term ends Dec. 31, 2011. Bedrock, a Cliffside Park native, received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He subsequently earned his law degree from Pace University and has been working in various law firms since that time. Since 2005, he has been senior counsel to the Hertz Corporation. Bedrock specializes in environmental law, land use, and litigation. The new judge’s service to the borough includes nine years as a member of the Bedrock named judge Waldwick Board of Education, where he also served as the board’s president. Bedrock was also a member of the Waldwick Board of Adjustment and served as board chairman before becoming the board’s attorney – a position he held for seven years. He also chaired the Waldwick Environmental Commission, and served as president of Waldwick Soccer. Bedrock previously served as a coach for soccer and T-ball. “I’m looking forward to working for the citizens of Waldwick again,” Bedrock said of his appointment. “My predecessor did such an outstanding job; it will be tough to fill his shoes.” Bedrock added that he was particularly grateful to Mayor Russell “Buddy” Litchult and the borough council members who teamed up to give him bipartisan support for the position. Summer specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000