WEST MILFORD — The township council has more than doubled its bid threshold to $36,000 and appointed a qualified purchasing agent. Now, businesses will be able to do up to $36,000 in business with the township annually without having to go through a formal bid process.
Administrator Nancy Gage had recommended increasing the bid threshold to allow more companies, especially local businesses, to submit proposals on township business and products. Previously, the threshold was $17,500. Any amount over that had to go through a formal bid process, which can be costly and therefore keep some smaller businesses from bidding.
The qualified purchasing agent (QPA) position, which the town council approved last month, allows a designated township employee to receive bids and requests for proposals, as well as prepare the advertising for proposals and bids. The QPA would then make recommendations to the council.
That was a concern of Councilman Lou Signorino during the discussions when creating the position. He was concerned that too much would fall to one person. But he voted in favor of increasing the threshold and appointing a QPA on Nov. 13 after being assured the council would have the final say on all expenditures.
Mayor Bettina Bieri said this will also save the township money. Attorneys are involved in creating bid specifications. With the township now able to get proposals for many jobs they would have previously had to go to bid on, that in itself will save money. And with the bid process being complicated and costly, requiring sealed proposals instead for jobs up to $36,000 may now encourage smaller and local businesses to jump in.
The council appointed Account Clerk Julie Zeltner to the qualified purchasing agent position with no additional salary.
Council balks at mayor's DPW choice
Bieri attempted to fill the Department of Public Works director position but came up against some resistance from a few members of the council. Not necessarily because of who she wanted to appoint but because they said they wanted to see the resumes of more candidates.
Councilwoman Vivienne Erk suggested tabling the appointment, asking to see resumes of the candidates who were interviewed for the position. Bieri said there was only one candidate she would recommend among the half dozen they interviewed; Administrator Nancy Gage agreed with Bieri. Still, Councilmen Mike Hensley and Signorino agreed with Erk. Signorino said he wants the council to be more involved in the interviewing process.
The township has been without a DPW director since Gerald Storms retired in August. This is the mayor's appointment with consent of the council.
Bieri said time is of the essence with winter soon coming. “I hope our roads are going to be ready for winter,” she said.