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BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF PASCACK PRESS
PASCACK VALLEY area, N.J.—An updated shared-services agreement between River Vale and Montvale—to preserve its combined Pascack Valley Department of Public Works—will soon become reality, according to both mayors participating in face-to-face negotiations.
River Vale Mayor Glen Jasionowski suggested an updated shared services agreement might be “a couple weeks away” if ongoing negotiations are any indication.
In addition, River Vale has dropped its lawsuit against Montvale and both municipalities are working cooperatively and cordially, according to both mayors, to iron out and improve the Pascack Valley DPW interlocal shared services agreement that had been a source of conflict since early this year.
Jasionowski announced at the Oct. 22 council meeting that the township had dropped its suit against Montvale contesting its non-payment of about $42,000 in snow-removal costs incurred during a state of emergency in March during a nor’easter.
Jasionowski said given the “very productive and very cordial” conversations with Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali and Councilwoman Rose Curry over months, “we both agree that the partnership has to work to provide the same benefits and risks for both parties” and that any final contract “has to continue the partnership in a fair and equitable way for both parties,” said Jasionowski.
“If there’s savings or added savings we share in those and if there’s additional expenses, we share in those as well, so once we figure that out, then things like a ‘state of emergency’ become less of an issue,” he said.
Jasionowski personally thanked Ghassali “for putting so much effort into it [negotiations] and for making himself available. We’ve had a lot of conversations in the past couple months and I think we’re close,” he added.
River Vale filed suit
In April, River Vale filed a breach of contract suit in Superior Court against Montvale for its failure to pay a $42,222.62 invoice, but Township Attorney Silvana Raso said then that River Vale was willing to mediate the monetary dispute if Montvale was.
The shared services agreement was originally signed Nov. 1, 2013 and could be extended through Jan. 1, 2020. At the time of signing, it was estimated the municipalities might save up to $400,000 yearly.
Currently the combined Pascack Valley DPW has 17 employees.
‘How do we make it work?’
Jasionowski said the $42,000 initially disputed is “not the big issue, it’s all a part of negotiations. The big issue was does the contract make sense for everybody and how do we make it work?” he said. “It’s looking ahead to what is fair and equitable to both parties, we’re really close,” Jasionowski said.
Ghassali said he’s “in agreement” with the way negotiations are progressing. “We have been moving in the right direction. The contract is four years old and things have changed in both of our towns. I agree that we both have to have skin in the game,” Ghassali added.
He said discussions continue on the formula for resolving how to calculate costs. “As we move forward, I’d like to see more communication between our two towns,” Ghassali said. He said standing meetings on a monthly basis and an annual audit of DPW finances also make sense.
‘A deal is in the works’
Ghassali said “some more fine-tuning we have to do to make the contract agreeable…[and] a deal is in the works.”
Ghassali said regular communication will help make the shared service agreement work better. “We need to meet at least once a month and continue the communication. All are doing a good job,” he noted, adding Jasionowski is “very cordial and easy to talk with.”
Initially Ghassali told residents he was pursuing other municipalities to form another shared-services DPW agreement when River Vale moved to sever the agreement.
However, following the lawsuit filed for non-payment of snow-removal costs, an offer to mediate the dispute was made by Raso, River Vale’s attorney, as well as Jasionowski, who said he would be open to discussions with Montvale.
On Oct. 22, River Vale Councilman John Donovan said he was “glad to hear we’re moving ahead in a positive direction with Montvale.”
And Township Council President Mark Bromberg cheered the news that an interlocal DPW contract was close to approval.
“I think it’s a great thing and that goes way back,” he said, adding that news of hopeful negotiations was encouraging.
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