Recycling Debate May Resurface in 2013

A debate last year over whether or not the township’s recycling department should be run by the town’s Department of Public Works or by a privatized company might replay itself this Thursday night.

The Mahwah mayor and business administrator are expected to give a presentation on their proposed 2013 municipal budget at this Thursday’s township council meeting. The budget, which will dictate the year's municipal tax rate, must meet a state-mandated two-percent tax levy increase. Representatives from the DPW Union who say they will be on hand Thursday night to see if privatization is part of the plan, started handing fliers like the one attached to this article around the township this weekend urging residents to attend the meeting.

“We just want to spread awareness about the town’s Recycling Department, and we want residents to come to the meeting to be informed about what’s going on,” DPW Union Shop Steward John Darby told Patch.

Darby’s fellow union shop steward Marc Bracciodieta, who has been in the news lately for legal scuffles with the township administration, said workers don’t know the exact details of the plan.

“We think it’s important for people to go to the meeting to hear he details of the recycling [portion of the budget],” he said. “This time around we were hoping for more communication from administration. Because we didn’t get that, we made the flier.”

Last week, Business Administrator Brian Campion said the 2013 budget will be presented to the township council Thursday, in advance of the state deadline of Feb. 1.

Mayor Bill Laforet, who did not comment on the make-up of this year’s budget, said Thursday’s presentation will include a “brief overview” of the entire budget, which includes projected spending on all township departments for the year.

“We encourage all residents to attend to hear the details of the budget, and how we will meet the 2% tax cap,” he said.

The presented budget will be subject to town council review. Thursday night’s meeting will start at 8 p.m. at town hall.

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