Woodbine Renews Court Services Pact with Middle

WOODBINE – At Woodbine Borough Council’s Nov. 5 meeting a lengthy presentation was made by borough Engineer Bruce Graham about the ongoing sewer study.
According to analysis, there are three general options that are being considered for a revamped sewer system, one based on gravity, one using vacuum, or one using pressure.
“There is still a lot of work to be done to finalize our study; we need to get actual costs figured out, determine if any funding from grants or other financing is available realizing that we are looking at three to four years down the road for this project,” explained Graham.
“We also need to consider that many grants are related to having sufficient customers to justify this type of funding and being small we may not qualify,” he said.
Allow Verizon Use of Streets
Council unanimously passed, with no public comment, upon second reading an ordinance that provides Verizon access to the borough’s streets and other public ways for its local and through lines and other communications facilities.
“This ordinance authorizes Verizon to use Woodbine’s right of way for its lines. It has used this type of right of way for 50 years and that agreement is expiring so we need to renew statutorily. It’s a good deal for Woodbine since it permits us to use Verizon’s poles and lines for borough services such as fire, police, EMS and electrical services for traffic signals,” said borough Solicitor Richard Tonetta.
Continue Shared Judicial Services
Council unanimously passed two resolutions that allow the borough’s shared services agreement with Middle Township for municipal court services to continue. One resolution authorized the agreement and the second authorized the appointment of Municipal Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant to preside.
“We’ve had this shared services agreement in place with Middle for four years and now this new agreement will start up for another five years beginning Jan. 1. It’s a very good deal for Woodbine and we have an outstanding relationship with Middle; it’s a good match and we are able to achieve stability on knowing what costs we will need to pay so it’s a really sustainable arrangement for us,” said Mayor William Pikolycky.
Under the terms of the shared services agreement Woodbine will pay $70,000 a year for the administration of the agreement with annual increases of 2 percent each year over the life of the 5 year agreement.
Without a shared services agreement the borough would be responsible for salaries and benefits for its own judge, deputy, prosecutor, public defender, sheriff and security as well as paper, printing and other office costs.
Garrabrant, who attended the meeting, noted, “When you compare the costs that the borough would need to cover, this agreement really makes a lot of sense and I’m pleased that I can be part of the agreement. In fact, Mayor Pikolycky even told me that the public transportation services between Woodbine and Middle Township are so convenient no one will ever be late to court!”
Schalek, Latest Eagle Scout
Pikolycky commended Nicholas Schalek of Woodbine who has attained the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. One of his Eagle Scout projects was to refurbish the borough’s World War I monument next to the fire house.
Pikolycky said that he encouraged all council members to attend Schalek’s Court of Honor which will be held at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland Nov. 14 at 4 p.m.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.