Borough to Share Construction Services With Madison

The borough finalized a shared services agreement with Madison that will allow the two municipalities to share construction services.

It did so at a borough council meeting Monday. Councilman and shared services committee liaison John Holman said it is the first step in what promises to be a "multi-year process."

He said he hopes the two sides will eventually share equipment. They may share court services in the future as well.

Borough Engineer and Construction Official Vincent DeNave said the execution of the shared service is key.

"Crafted properly, we're going to be able to limit the amount of reduction of services," DeNave said.

DeNave reached out to the state Department of Community Affairs for guidance. According to its Web site, the department helps local governments comply with state laws and regulations regarding such matters.

Holman said the move is expected to save the borough about $90,000 per year.

The borough's construction office will still exist, and work will continue to be done there. But DeNave said the inspection function of the office will be taken over by Madison.

"Ninety-nine percent of the public does not see any difference in the way business is conducted," he said.

He said the construction office has never really received very many complaints, and he said he was a bit wary about messing with success. "You really don't want to start having complaints," he said.

But he said he was confident things would run relatively smoothly.

Council President James Collander, who is on the borough's Budget Committee, praised the way the process went.

"Madison has been very cooperative in working with us," he said.

Madison has already been doing the borough's plumbing inspections for free.

Its borough administrator, Ray Codey, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.