U.F. bonds for $535K for DPW equipment Twp. Committee vows to oversee all purchases BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer UPPER FREEHOLD - The Department of Public Works has not one, but two watchdogs. Deputy Mayor Bob Faber and Committeeman Stanley Moslowski Jr., the Township Committee's liaisons to the Department of Public Works (DPW), said they would be the watchdogs and review all of the department's purchasing requests. The governing body unanimously passed a bond ordinance for DPW equipment in the aggregate amount of $535,000 at the May 1 meeting. The committee said it would only spend money on necessary items. During the public hearing on the bond ordinance, former mayor Bob Abrams said the township does not need an articulated wheel loader or a new sander, which are part of a $325,000 appropriation. He also commented that the DPW has "always been used as a slush fund." Another former mayor, William Miscoski, warned the Township Committee against letting its equipment get into disarray. When he joined the committee in the 1990s, the township spent a great deal of money on bringing DPW up to speed, he said. Faber said purchases listed on the bond ordinance must come before the Township Committee for approval. "If that is the case, a lot of things will never materialize, as far as I'm concerned," he said. Moslowski agreed, saying the township doesn't need another loader or another truck but does need some things. "After looking at what we have, we're not in jeopardy for an emergency with new stuff," he said. Mayor Steve Alexander said the money in the bond ordinance does not have to be spent. He said if the committee didn't approve the bond it would go back to bond counsel for changes, which would have to be renoticed. Township Administrator Barbara Bascom said sending the bond back to counsel would be like throwing $2,000 away. Alexander said he has complete faith in Faber and Moslowski to do what the DPW needs. Bascom said the DPW and township purchasing agent would get notices stating that items, such as the loader, are "off the table" for this year. While the bond ordinance monies cannot be used for maintenance or operating expenses, they could be used to purchase a used, rather than a new, vehicle in the future, according to Township Attorney Granville Magee.