To the Editor:

I am writing in response to Councilman Roger Martindell’s baffling letter that appeared in the February 15 issue of the Town Topics. (“Consolidation Transition Task Force Can Re-Invent Delivery of Municipal Services”)

Perhaps Mr. Martindell did not read the resolution that he voted for establishing the Transition Task Force (TTF) because it clearly states that: “the general mission of said task force shall be to propose implementation of the recommended municipal consolidation of the Borough and Township, using the Joint Consolidation Study Commission Final Report date June 2011 as a guide.”

The Joint Shared Services and Consolidation Commission made specific recommendations that will result in an estimated annual savings of 3.2 million dollars upon full implementation. This serves as the basis for the voters’ expectations when they voted for consolidation. The final report issued by the commission is to serve as the guideline for the Transition Task Force. While the TTF will review and analyze the nuts and bolts of the recommendations from an implementation perspective – even potentially varying from certain recommendations, it does not exist to re-invent the wheel as Mr. Martindell implies in his letter.

For example, Mr. Martindell cites the new police department and asks “Should the new Princeton retain all 60 [police], or reduce that number, and by how many?” If he read the report, he would have been aware that the commission already studied these questions and recommended a police force reduction of 9 personnel — ultimately resulting in a staff of 51.

The TTF comprised of 4 elected officials, 4 citizen representatives from each municipality and both administrators serving as ex-officio members) has a significant amount of work ahead of it in the next 11 months, but it must also prioritize. It will certainly have an opportunity to ‘re-invent’ our operating budgets (potential for additional cost savings), but it must review the recommendations of the Joint Shared Services and Consolidation Commission with the goal of making structural staffing recommendations that will realize the savings that have been promised to the voters. Furthermore, it will review existing employee benefits and union contracts in detail (as there are differences in both municipalities) and recommend how it will be best to manage these benefits and contracts moving forward. These are just some of the many tasks that lie ahead and I have full confidence that the TTF is up to the task. Finally, the TTF is an advisory body. The real decision making authority will continue to rest with the governing bodies. While Mr. Martindell questioned the ability of the governing bodies, it is important for the reader to know that Mr. Martindell has been a Borough Councilman for the last 22 years. It is up to us as elected officials to lead and make the hard decisions about staffing, benefits and services, and maybe Mr. Martindell is uncomfortable making those decisions. However, it is our job and we answer to our residents. It is time to stop the grandstanding, work together, and put ourselves on a path for a single municipality in 2013.

Chad Goerner

Mayor, Princeton Township