Wantage Township and Sussex Borough Seek Candidates for Consolidation Study Commission

The Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage is soliciting letters of interest and/or resumes from any citizens who would like to be considered to serve on the Consolidation Study Commission for Wantage Township.  Letters of interest and/or resumes must be received by the Township Administrator Clerk no later than May 31, 2008.  Interested citizens may mail a letter or resume to:  Jim Doherty, Township of Wantage, 888 Route 23, Wantage, NJ 07461, or E-mail their letter or resume to:  jim@wantagetwp-nj.org.

The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Sussex is soliciting letters of interest and/or resumes from any Sussex Borough citizens who would like to be considered to serve on the Consolidation Study Commission for Sussex Borough.  Interested citizens may mail a letter or resume no later than May 31, 2008 to:  Cathy Gleason, Borough of Sussex, 2 Main Street, Sussex, NJ 07461, or E-mail their letter or resume to:  sussexadmin@embarqmail.com

In making a decision to undertake a consolidation study, Officials from both communities have expressed a healthy respect for the complexity of the issue but also excitement at the prospects of dong everything in their power to help their residents.

Wantage Township Mayor Parker Space says, “The Consolidation Issue starts and ends with the question:  will the people be better off?  We have agreed to do a study and get a report.  Whether or not it really winds up happening?  That will be up to the people to decide, after the report is done.”

Sussex Borough Mayor Chris Parrott says there are very important financial considerations involved with this study, saying the State of New Jersey is making it very difficult for small towns to continue doing business like they have always done in the past. “I think we are doing a disservice to the communities if we don't actually get this study done" says Mayor Parrott.

For those residents who may like to serve on the consolidation study commission, but wonder what type of commitment will be involved, Wantage Township Administrator Jim Doherty offers some guidance.

“Five citizens from Wantage Township and five citizens from Sussex Borough will combine to create the ten-member Consolidation Study Commission.  Most likely, the commission will be appointed by Mid-June of 2008.  At their first meeting, the members of the Commission will meet with local officials from Wantage Township and Sussex Borough, as well as County and State officials who will explain the deadlines for action, and help map out a strategy.  The Commission will make an application for a State Grant to pay for the costs of the study, and will most likely hire a consulting firm to assist them with the study and the report.  There will also be a representative from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs available to assist with the study.”

Doherty says that, in the past, other Consolidation Study Commissions have sometimes chosen to break out the work load by creating sub-committees.  “So, as an example, the commission might choose to create a Finance Sub-committee consisting of one Wantage Representative and one Sussex representative, who would concentrate on preparing the portion of the report dealing with finance and tax impact.  Another subcommittee might consist of an Education Subcommittee, who would prepare that part of the report dealing with the impact on Education.  Another subcommittee might be the Public Safety Subcommittee, to review impact on Fire Department, first aid, public works, and emergency management.  Still another subcommittee might concentrate on the form of government that would be best for a newly-merged town, and what the name of the new town should be.”  Doherty explains that such a strategy would be up to the commission members themselves to decide.

Doherty says that the time frames for action will be explained in detail once the Commission is appointed, but that their final report will need to be completed no later than August of 2009, so that in case the conclusion favors consolidation, the report can be made available to the public and a question can be placed on the ballot for consideration in November of 2009.  “Of course, if the commission finds that consolidation is not recommended, then there would be no ballot question” says Doherty.

Sussex County Administrator John Eskilson was the Township Manager in Hardyston Township when the last official Consolidation Study Commission took place in New Jersey back in 1997.  Eskilson says that a key to a successful study will involve taking the time to get public input, and find out the questions that need answering.

“The Commission members should be ready to hold a LOT of public hearings, so that every one with something to contribute will have their voice heard” says Eskilson.  “Listening to the people will help the Commission make sure that their conclusions represent the will of their communities.”

This Press Release was posted on 4/30/08