Demarest — Councilman Brian Bernstein said last night that a resolution proposing the formation of consolidation study committee with Haworth might not meet state requirements.
The resolution proposes that the consolidation commission would conduct its investigation "at no cost to the respective boroughs."
Officials were originally going to adopt the resolution at their council meeting, but decided to defer it to a special meeting Thursday after concerns were raised to make revisions.
According to the statute, a joint municipal consolidation study commission would prepare a budget that each borough’s governing bodies would review. While grants may be available, "the cost of what the commission wants to do is borne on the communities," Bernstein said.
He also expressed concern that the "no cost" portion of the resolution was in a whereas clause instead of the resolution section. Council members agreed to a revision.
Some questioned the need for the proposed resolution. Councilman Ray Cywinski suggested that the council meet with municipalities such as Haworth on its own to discuss shared services instead of using a referendum.
Bernstein suggested that creating a consolidation committee to meet with other towns could take less time than putting a question on the ballot.
According to Borough Attorney Gregg Paster, if the Demarest and Haworth councils pass a consolidation study commission resolution by Aug. 22, the question would appear on the ballot for residents to decide in November.
The commission would assemble within 15 days of Election Day and have up to 10 months to complete its study. The Borough would then need to put another referendum on the ballot for voter approval to take any action the commission recommends. If the study takes 10 months, the referendum wouldn’t appear on the ballot until November 2010 because referendums must be submitted 74 days prior to Election Day.
Bernstein said it took less than two years to complete the Riverside Cooperative, which Demerast uses as a way to share services with neighboring municipalities.
"You don’t need a referendum. You can do a resolution and get the exact same result," Bernstein said.
Mayor James Carroll is strongly in favor of passing the resolution. He said the state is offering money for shared services studies that he thinks Demarest should take advantage of.
He stressed the possible cost savings a study could find and pass along to taxpayers.
"If we choose not to move forward, we do a terrible disservice," Carroll said.
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The council will vote on the resolution at a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m.