Allendale April 24, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Borough council approves United Water contract by John Koster The Allendale Borough Council has voted unanimously to sign the contract in which United Water will take over management of Allendale’s water services at an annual savings of $193,000. “I think we all feel good about it,” Mayor Vince Barra said after the vote. “I think it’s the right thing for the Borough of Allendale and I think it’s going to be a very wise idea.” “I’m very pleased, and I think it’s going to be a great idea,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth White. There were no objections or comments from the audience as the council agreed to sign the contract on April 17. Mayor Barra said late last week that United Water was already preparing for the transition by examining the existing water facility, which will remain the property of the Borough of Allendale. The contract must be reviewed by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities before it can be implemented. The fiveyear agreement will save Allendale $965,000. A resolution adopted at the public meeting states that Allendale had received 11 responses to a request for proposals and that the United Water proposal was the lowest responsible bidder. Mayor Barra said United Water is a reliable company with a solid reputation. The proposed contract came under criticism from outside Food and Water lobbyist Matt Smith at a public hearing some weeks ago in which Mayor Barra countered Smith’s criticism and debunked it with several factual arguments. Most residents at the meeting spoke in approval of the contract, though one Allendale resident was critical. Barra and White pointed out that, rather than having United Water impose a contract on them unilaterally, Allendale officials drew up the contract after almost two years of study and consideration, reported on the plans at a number of council meetings, and only filed a request for proposals when the details had all been determined in Allendale. Allendale has received extra water from United Water during key summer demand periods for more than 10 years, and has reported satisfaction with the service. The local manager of the Allendale Water Company will take a related job with United Water, and the two other employees will take jobs with the Allendale Department of Public Works, so no local full-time jobs will eliminated as a result of the change. The public meeting at which the water contract was voted on April 17 had been rescheduled due to a problem with the quorum on the scheduled date the week before, but was advertised on the borough website. Only two residents attended and neither spoke on the United Water contract issue. Allendale’s zero-tax-increase municipal budget is slated for public hearing and adoption at the April 25 meeting. On May 2, the Allendale Civic Association will host a discussion on school security by Allendale Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Barcadepone. This 8 p.m. session will be held in the council chambers on the second floor of the Allendale Municipal Building at 500 West Crescent Superintendent to discuss school safety Avenue. The meeting is open to the community. The ACA is an unaffiliated civic group whose mission is to engage citizens in open discussions and to encourage and support candidates. Contact Tom Robbins at atomrob@yahoo.com or (201) 934-5573.