Spring Lake Heights Eyes $1.43 Million “Wish List”

If the region gets slammed by a blinding blizzard again, Art Herner wants his public works crews to have working snow removal ready to roll.

After the town's sole backhoe—a 1988 John Deere model—broke down in the wake of the Dec. 26 nor’easter, Herner, the Spring Lake Heights veteran DPW director, borrowed a backhoe from another town. But the lending town couldn’t deliver the backhoe until its own streets were cleared.

Herner told the borough council on Monday that he is thankful that no medical emergencies arose before his crews could open up the streets to traffic.

Having a newer, operational backhoe--at an estimated cost of $75,000--and accompanying front-end loader on hand for the snow removal operation would help if the area is hit with a blizzard again.

“Why should Spring Lake Heights residents have to wait for another town to finish clearing its streets?” Herner said.

Public works also needs two new sanitation trucks and a megahauler to replace the aging models currently in the town’s fleet, he added.

The total estimated cost for the all of the requested vehicles, which have an average life expectancy of 15 years, is $620,790. If the council grants Herner’s wish, it would have to bond for about $589,750.

The desired public works vehicles represent the lion’s share of a total $1,430,000 bond ordinance for capital improvements and purchases that was introduced by the council on Monday. The council's 4-2 decision was split along party lines with its minority Democrats objecting.

If the council adopts the bond ordinance following a second reading and public hearing on Aug. 15, they would borrow about $1,358,500 in bonds or notes to finance the entire package.

Rather than bond for $75,000 to purchase a backhoe, with 20 percent of that amount or $15,000 going to "soft costs" such as paying the borough's bond attorney, Democratic Councilmen John P. Brennan and Tom Vorbach suggested tapping into $300,000 surplus already in the borough’s capital fund.

Bonding to purchase the backhoe is similar to using a high interest credit card for a purchase that could be paid for in cash, Vorbach said.

Referring to Herner’s other vehicle requests as a “wish list,”
Vorbach asked why public works would need both a backhoe and a front-end loader to remove snow.

“It’s not a wish list,” Herner said. “There are other things we could do such as rent [a front-end loader] for three months. By that time, we could just buy one.”

GOP Councilwoman Patty Cindea warned against dipping into the capital surplus lest the council need the money for "a rainy day."

“We do have $300,000 in the capital fund,” said Cindea, who chairs the council’s finance committee. “I believe we should use that only if something happens such as a water main break.”

Within the pending bond ordinance, Police Chief David Petriken is seeking an automated license plate reader, stationary solar speed signs, and a utility truck at an estimated collective cost of $202,010. Of that amount, the council would have to borrow about $191,910 in bank notes.

The utility truck would be shared with public works, Petriken told the council.

The tag reader, which police could use to run a vehicle owner’s tags to detect any outstanding warrants, suspected criminal activity, or license suspensions, hit a sour note with Brennan, an attorney specializing in criminal law.

“I respectfully submit that the people of Spring Lake Heights do not support the police having an automated license plate reader,” Brennan said. “It smacks of Big Brother.”

Both Manasquan and Wall Township’s police departments have purchased and are using the license plate readers, Petriken explained.

The devices could help police determine if the driver inside a targeted vehicle could endanger an officer or others in the community, he pointed out.

“They would not be used to invade privacy,” the police chief said.

The solar speed signs would be posted along roadsides to inform motorists as to how fast they are driving in a given area. Usually motorists slow down upon seeing their recorded speed displayed on the lighted signs, Petriken said.

Unconvinced that Petriken’s and Herner’s requests are necessary at a time when many borough taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet, Vorbach urged the council to reject the bond ordinance's higher priced items.

“I don’t think we need an automated plate reader, front-end loader or solar signs,” he said. “I suggest we trim the fat out of this ordinance. The less we buy, the less we have to bond for.”

“You’re looking for Christmas in July,” he told Petriken and Herner.

However, the council’s GOP majority urged immediate action on the requested items.

“If we put it off, the interest rates could be much higher when we do bond,” said Councilman Gavino Maccanico.

Councilman Richard Diver pointed to immediate needs faced by public works and the police.

“The DPW equipment is ancient,” Diver said. “As for the police equipment, I see that as a safety issue.”

An estimated $360,000 line item towards repairs to borough streets and drainage improvements is the second largest request in the
bond ordinance. Of that amount, the council would have to borrow about $342,000 in notes for repairs expected to remain intact for about 20 years.

Other items included in the bond ordinance include
$127,200 for technology upgrades, furniture, equipment, and reconstruction of offices inside borough hall. Additionally, improvements to Ocean Road Park, estimated at $120,000 are covered in the ordinance.