Demarest — Voters are one step closer to deciding if a commission should be formed to investigate consolidation between Demarest and Haworth.
In a 4-2 vote during a special meeting Aug. 14, Demarest council members approved a resolution to place a referendum question on November's ballot.
Haworth’s council would still need to pass an identically worded resolution and submit it to the Bergen County Clerk by Aug. 22 for the question to appear.
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Proposed ballot question:
Shall a joint municipal consolidation study commission be formed to study the feasibility of consolidating between the Boroughs Demarest and Haworth, provided that there is no direct cost to either municipality for the costs of convening the Commission nor for engaging professionals to perform the necessary studies and prepare reports of the Commission, such municipal operations and services as may be fiscally prudent and desirable and to make non-binding recommendations thereon?
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Although the majority of the Demarest council voted for approval, there were reservations.
Councilman Brian Bernstein said he would not approve the resolution without wording changes to the ballot question. He pointed out that voters only see the question and wanted clauses added for clarity.
After discussion, Borough Attorney Gregg Paster revised the question to read that any study performed would be "non-binding" and done at "no direct cost to either municipality."
Even with amendments, Councilwoman Melinda Iannuzzi said she wasn’t sure if she would vote yes if the question appears on the November ballot. She did, however, want residents to weigh in. "I want to give everyone in Demarest the chance to vote on something this important," she said.
Councilman Tom Connolly agreed that voters should make the ultimate decision and said November’s election would be a good opportunity since the presidential contest is likely to draw a high turnout.
Two councilmen, Tony Costanzo and Ray Cywinski, voted against the resolution.
Costanzo thought the commission should study more than just Demarest and Haworth because more savings could be available by sharing services with several towns. "I think we’re shortchanging residents," he said.
Cywinski didn’t believe the resolution was necessary. "I see flowery language and buzz words. We can do it without this document here," he said. "We can show we’re serious in committees."
Demarest council members have discussed the resolution since July 7 when it was first introduced. A final vote was scheduled for the regular meeting Aug. 11, but the council tabled the resolution to undergo revisions meant to clarify the Borough’s intentions. Additional word changes were made minutes before the Aug. 14 vote.
Haworth’s council will vote on the resolution at a special meeting Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
