Shrewsbury opts to join council of governments
BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG Staff Writer

SHREWSBURY — The Borough Council has approved a resolution in favor of joining the Central Jersey Council of Governments (CJCG), a bipartisan organization focused on making government more efficient for the residents of Monmouth County and New Jersey.

"Many Monmouth County communities came together to see where they might be able to share services. We need to decide if this is something we should be interested in joining," said Mayor Terel Cooperhouse at the June 8 council meeting.

Cooperhouse explained that Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik initiated the program when he took office in January 2008.

Cooperhouse said the CJCG membership costs $300 and would entitle the borough to participate bring in any of the programs.

Local towns involved in the group include Eatontown, Hazlet, Little Silver, Long Branch, Matawan, Middletown, Ocean Township, Oceanport and Sea Bright.

The CJCG was formed to provide a forum for officials from Monmouth County's 53 municipalities to plan for common needs, cooperate on topics of mutual benefit, develop large-scale shared services, apply for grants and coordinate matters of regional importance. The council meets monthly at locations throughout the county.

Keegan asked whether the CJCG would support the borough in opposition to the proposed MOM rail line.

"Some will, some will not. Our surrounding towns are vehemently opposed," Cooperhouse responded.

Councilman William Dodge had concerns about joining the CJCG.

"My reaction to the agreement is that it puts an awful lot of control in this group. So the exit provisions are extremely important to me because there are some things in here that this group has a lot of control and authority over as it's written with the specific language. I'm looking for an ironclad ability to withdraw whenever we want no matter the reason," said Dodge.

"Every municipality has one member on the committee. We would have a voice on the council," responded Cooperhouse.

"It gives us a broader reach of shopping for shared services with other towns that we may never have reached out to," said Councilman Thomas Menapace.

"We may see in a year that it's not for us, and that's OK," said Cooperhouse.

"My literal read of this is that it's very strong and binding. I want there to be a definite opportunity to say no [more]. It's important for us to reach out in all directions to alliances that make sense to Shrewsbury. That organization is very strong," said Dodge.

Coopperhouse reiterated that there is an out clause.

"It says that the management committee resolution needs to be passed in order to withdraw. Now is that automatic, or does it require a simple majority? What is that? A group that says no, we don't believe that what Shrewsbury wants to do is acceptable, then is that an obstruction to our wish to withdraw?" questioned Dodge.

"The language imposes cooperation on our part in ways that are pretty strong," said Dodge.

Council President Kevin Murphy was in favor of the agreement.

"There are things that we wouldn't even need to buy that … maybe Marlboro has that we can use. I'm for it," said Murphy.

A motion was signed by Cooperhouse with all members of council voting in favor.

The first official CJCG meeting was held April 7 at Marlboro Town Hall.

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R- 12th District) was on hand for the inaugural meeting and said he saw a lot of promise in the group.

"I am all for as much communication between municipalities and governments at every level," O'Scanlon said. "You never know where you can find synergies in terms of merging and shared services. It is an opportunity to more wisely spend constituents' tax dollars."

He said he has seen efforts between towns already.

"Little Silver and Fair Haven are in the process of sharing dispatch services that came out of starting discussions between towns," O'Scanlon said. "That's what needs to happen."

Middletown Mayor Pamela Brightbill attended the first official meeting and said the first thing "in the works" is a feasibility study of the proposed Monmouth County Regional Solid Waste Collection Service, a program that is expected to begin in the spring of 2010.

The feasibility study had seen more than half of the county's 53 municipalities sign on to the idea of regional trash collection, which is expected to cut municipal expenses for trash removal by more than 20 percent, according to a press release distributed by the Patriot Consulting Group, which conducted the study.

The group applied for a state grant through the New Jersey Sharing Available Resources Efficiently (SHARE) program to fund the feasibility study.

The SHARE program is offered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and focuses on finding ways for municipalities to share services to lower costs and improve the efficiency of providing government services.

Future initiatives that are being looked at by the CJCG include sharing public works equipment and employees, as well as regional trash collection.