Squan Code Dept. Requests New Vehicle, Software

Manasquan’s Code and Construction Department, looking to streamline operations, is asking the Borough Council for a few extra thousand dollars this year to spend on a software upgrade and replace a run-down vehicle.

Pat Callahan, CCD supervisor, and Borough Administrator Joe DeIorio requested the upgrades from the Borough Council during Saturday’s budget work session, where officials discussed the department’s entire 2012 operating budget, asking for at least $1000 to purchase new software to automatically generate yearly inspection lists and at least $2000 to replace the failing inspection vehicle. High-end estimates for both, however, could combine for as much as $30,000, officials said.

Callahan said that the new automated software that could cost between $1000 and $10,000 would be a major upgrade over the department’s existing system, which requires officials to manually draw out annual inspection lists, and make the process more efficient and expedient by cutting out several steps.

Callahan also said that the department’s current inspection vehicle, an old police cruiser, keeps failing inspection and needs to be replaced. The borough is exploring several options that include purchasing a newer used vehicle for about $20,000, finding a vehicle at a used car lot in the $9000 range or repairing another retired police cruiser for roughly $2000, officials said.  

“It’s important we have a running vehicle,” said DeIorio, who admitted it’d be difficult to allocate an extra $20,000.

Mayor George Dempsey said that repairing a used police cruiser for roughly $2000 would put the department “way ahead” financially.

But the current vehicle is in poor shape and could not be replaced with another retired police cruiser until one was handed down by borough police, officials said.

In other business, officials said the department’s goals were to continue to collect feedback from the public on department operations, and to continue to discuss ideas and possible shared services with other municipalities.

When asked by Councilwoman Patricia Connolly how the department is going about collecting feedback, Callahan said that the department was discussing a survey-style pamphlet to be attached to permit paperwork, for those requiring permits to fill out and return.

Councilman Don Grasso noted an increase in permit revenues from last year to this year, and praised the work of Callahan and the department.

Grasso said that he received positive feedback about the department's operations from members of the public.

"Keep up the good work, let the people know you're out there," Grasso said to Callahan.

Following the code department presentation, DeIorio discussed the budgetary needs of the finance department.

Many budgets within both the code and finance departments remained flat, and some were slightly down from last year.

DeIorio also noted that the state has extended the deadline for introducing municipal budgets, in light of anticipating the annual "state of the state" speech by the governor, in which state aid figures are typically released.

As these figures tend to impact municipal budgets, DeIorio recommended that Manasquan push back an original March 5 introduction date, to the second municipal meeting of that month.

Mayor and council were amenable to the recommendation.

The next budget meeting is set for Saturday, Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. in Borough Hall.