Millstone invests in its public works department
Township Committee approves $550,000 budget for DPW
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

"These guys show us they can handle and take care of equipment. They have a plan." - Nancy Grbelja Mayor

MILLSTONE - Mayor Nancy Grbelja proclaimed May 20-27 National Public Works Week and helped issue more than half a million dollars to the township's Department of Public Works (DPW) last week.

The municipal budget the Township Committee adopted at its May 16 meeting reflects the regard the governing body has for the DPW as it includes purchasing or bonding for several pieces of equipment for that department.

This year's DPW operating budget amounts to $550,000, and some of the items listed in the budget may be bonded, according to Township Administrator James Pickering. Any bonded item must have a shelf life of at least five years, he said.

Pickering said the township would replace a 15-year-old DPW truck this year, as well as an old road grader for which the township can no longer get parts. A 30-year-old lawn mower will also be retired, he said. In addition, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is mandating that a truck wash be installed at the DPW yard, he said.

Deputy Mayor Robert Kinsey said the DPW is also considering building a pole barn in its yard to store some equipment, which is now sitting outside because it cannot fit in the DPW building.

Committeeman Elias Abilheira suggested cutting the DPW budget by $100,000 to $450,000 this year. He said the township could enter into an interlocal agreement with neighboring Upper Freehold Township for use of a road grader.

Grbelja said that the department has been doing its work and she is not interested in cutting the DPW budget. She also noted that municipal taxes are remaining status quo.

"These guys show us they can handle and take care of equipment," she said. "They have a plan."

Grbelja said she would not feel comfortable entering into an interlocal agreement with Upper Freehold for the DPW at this time.

Pickering said that Upper Freehold's road grader would not work for Millstone due to different hookups for snowplows and other equipment.

"We need our own piece of equipment to maintain roads," he said.

Grbelja said she was very happy to read the proclamation regarding National Public Works Week, which says in part that facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals. The proclamation also states that the support of an understanding and informed citizenry is vital to the efficient operation of public works systems and programs such as maintaining streets and roads, public buildings and township parks, and managing stormwater, snow and recycling.

The mayor said that over the past year, the township has really come to depend on the DPW, which is now under the direction of Ken Gann. She said the number of people who call to complain about snow removal and other DPW services has decreased significantly. According to Grbelja, the township has in fact received many compliments.

"The dedication has been outstanding," she said in reference to the department's workers.

Kinsey said that during this year's snowstorms, residents who initially called him to complain about plowing later called him back to apologize. While they were talking to him, he said, the DPW fixed the problem. Since Gann came on board last year and other people in the department shifted to new roles, Kinsey said, there has been an upturn in productivity.

According to Grbelja, the DPW did a great job during the April nor'easter. The stormwater drains were clear, she said, and the DPW made sure the water drained off roadways.

"They made my job very easy," she said.

Because of the improvements in the DPW, Grbelja said, the township can now invest in the department. She said workers are taking care of equipment and have attitudes that are "just great."