TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—The Township Council approved a new one-year contract May 3 for grant consultant GLD Associates of Summit, although concerns were raised on several occasions by at least one councilman over the firm’s performance in securing local grants.
The prior year contract with GLD cost $30,000, but no cost was specified in the resolution approving the new contract. A public records request for the contract was not returned by press time.
The council did not publicly discuss the contract renewal prior to passing its May 3 consent resolution.
The council approved GLD Associates Inc. of Summit as the town’s grant writer in June 2019. David Biunno, of GLD Associates, is the township’s grant writer.
Mayor Peter Calamari, speaking at the governing body’s reorganization meeting Jan. 4, said, “Our experience with the grant writer has been a positive one.”
A listing obtained by Pascack Press from GLD showed $127,000 in grants had been awarded to the township through its efforts over calendar year 2020.
These included a $26,000 Community Development Block Grant for Sherry Field accessibility improvements; a $72,000 FEMA grant for firefighter staffing, training and retention; and a $29,000 county open space grant for a dog park at Sherry Field.
Biunno told the council the Sherry Field improvements were the town’s sole CDBG-eligible project because the township does not have any qualifying low-income census tracts for community-wide projects; qualifying projects must be for the exclusive use of persons with disabilities.
On the dog park, the grant application was filed June 28, 2020. Biunno said a preliminary cost estimate was prepared by Boswell Engineering for approximately $138,000 to construct a dog park at Sherry Field.
A letter of intent was first signed by the mayor and filed electronically by May 15, 2020, and accepted by Bergen County as the first step in the application process. A grant of $29,000 was awarded and there is a 50% cash match. When completed, this project will also be used for points towards the Township’s Sustainable Jersey Certification, Biunno said.
GLD also drafted a mandatory municipal resolution and prepared a public advertisement required by Bergen County to apply for this grant. On July 3, 2020 GLD conducted a public hearing for comment as part of the application process
GLD also noted it had applied for a $15,705 FEMA Covid-19 supplemental grant to purchase a commercial-grade turnout gear washing machine and drying cabinet for the fire department, whose headquarters is being rebuilt.
What about 450 Pascack Road?
Occasionally, Township Business Administrator Robert Tovo mentions grants applied for during his reports to council.
Over the last year, councilman Michael DeSena has requested regular updates on grant applications submitted, and asked about grants for open space that might be used to acquire tracts such as a 3.2-acre wooded parcel at 450 Pascack Road.
No grants were identified by GLD Associates for the property, which was proposed for a 48-unit senior complex that was withdrawn by the applicant last summer.
The Township ordered an appraisal of 450 Pascack Road in mid-February. Township Attorney Kenneth Poller said May 3 that the appraisal was due back the first week of May.
Most council discussions on possible negotiations and litigation with owners of 450 Pascack Road have been in closed session, with few details publicly revealed.
Recently Poller advised council members to not talk publicly about “thought processes, approaches, strengths, weaknesses and things of that nature” related to possible talks with owners of 450 Pascack Road.
A caller at the May 10 budget session, citing Pascack Press’s reporting of Poller’s advice, asked why negotiations settled in closed session were not then made available for public inspection.
Council President Stacey Feeney said at the May 10 budget meeting that making minutes of closed session meetings public is a council responsibility.
The township website shows that minutes of only three 2021 council meetings are posted (though others may be available by records request): one mayor and council meeting and budget session March 4, and the budget meetings of March 8 and 11. No closed-session minutes show as available 2020–2021.
Public council meetings also are streamed on WCTV-NJ.
— With John Snyder