April 3, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Mahwah Mayor’s recyclable collection plan rejected by Frank J. McMahon A second recommendation by Mahwah Mayor William Laforet to privatize the collection of recyclables, which he estimated would save the township $502,649 over a threeyear period without any layoffs of department of public works employees, was voted down by the council. The council voted 4-2 to reject the resolution to award a contract to privatize recyclable collections on a motion by Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio that was seconded by Councilman John Roth. The four “yes” votes were issued by DiGiulio, Roth, Councilman Steven Sbarra, and Council President Harry Williams, while Councilmen Charles “Chuck” Jandris and Roy Larson voted to pass the resolution. Councilman John Spiech was absent. The primary reason for the council’s rejection of the plan was that the projected savings were based on the potential retirements of three DPW employees in 2014. Laforet presented his plan to the council and explained that, because his proposal did not include any layoff of DPW employees, the DPW had withdrawn its objection to outsourcing the collection of recyclables. Laforet explained further that the current cost of recycling by seven members of the DPW every other week at curbside costs the township $625,184, while the same service by a private firm would cost $178,000. His plan would have two DPW employees transfer to currently vacant, but funded, positions in the township’s water department while two employees would be kept in the DPW for maintenance work and three DPW employees would retire in 2014 and not be replaced so there would be no layoff transition costs. Laforet estimated the savings from his plan at $4,340 the first year, $175,344 when two senior DPW employees retire, and $322,962 when the third senior DPW employee retires. “If you don’t do it,” Laforet said,” we must fill the two positions in the water department which we have delayed filling since July and it will eliminate the possibility of saving jobs under this tax saving plan, so I’m asking you to vote positively to save the taxpayers’ money.” Williams pointed out, however, that the projected savings this year would “be a wash” and the balance of the savings would be dependent on the retirement of the senior DPW employees and, if they don’t retire, he said the plan would actually cost the township $46,000 in its second year. Laforet responded that those employees cannot be forced to provide their retirement dates now, but he said based on experience they are forecasted to retire in 2014. DiGiulio asked why two employees could not be moved to the water department now and have the DPW operate with fewer employees. Laforet said that department is stretched already and could not operate with fewer people. Laforet first proposed privatizing the collection of recyclables in July 2012. That plan would have increased the recyclable collections to once a week, but it also involved the layoff of three junior employees of the DPW, while two DPW employees were to be transferred to the water department, and two were to be retained for maintenance work. That plan met with opposition from the council and the DPW and was never implemented. Laforet included the privatization of the recyclable collections in the budget he presented to the council in January, but the details of that plan were not explained until the March council meeting. The Mahwah Public Library will host a Family Movie Matinee on Saturday, April 6 at 2 p.m. The feature will be “Wreck-It Ralph.” When a video game villain decides he wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, his quest brings havoc to Library hosts Family Movie Matinee the whole arcade where he lives. “Wreck-It Ralph” features the voices of John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch. The film is 108 minutes, and is rated PG. The movie is free, and no tickets are necessary. The library is at 100 Ridge Road. Call (201) 529- READ.