Borough to Spend $1.9M on Equipment, Improvements

The borough council voted to bond for $1.9 million in improvements, equipment and furnishings, including new sanitation and leaf collection technology, at their Tuesday meeting.

The planned expenditures include a pair of automated leaf vacuum machines, at a cost of $120,000 to $140,000 apiece. Each machine can be operated by one person, and would replace the Borough's current method of leaf collection, which involves multiple pieces of equipment and workers, and which this past fall.

Leaves went uncollected as late as December this past year, and as trees continue to mature and produce more and more leaves, the workforce could be stretched ever thinner each fall without new technology, officials said.

"The methods of collection didn't keep up with the growth of the trees," Borough Administrator Joseph D'Arco said.

Each new truck will be armed with a powerful vacuum that sucks leaves right off the street. The driver operates the truck and uses an on-board joystick to control the vacuum.

In the past, Paramus used a combination of street sweepers, garbage compactors and workers with rakes to collect leaves. Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said the new system would save on manpower.

D'Arco said residents would have to be educated to separate leaves from tree limbs in the future.

The bond ordinance also provides for an automated garbage truck that, like the vacuum machine, can be operated by just one worker. The truck is equipped to work with a special 95-gallon garbage container and a mechanical arm that will handle other trash.

The Borough's garbage trucks are manned by at least two workers. D'Arco said any superfluous workers resulting from the new equipment will be slimmed down through attrition or be retooled.

The new truck will be tested out on about 800 homes before more automated trucks are rolled out throughout the town.

The bond ordinance also provides $500,000 for curb, road and sidewalk improvements. D'Arco said the Borough was able to save on the price by participating in a cooperative purchasing program with nearby towns.

Other notables from the ordinance include an ambulance for the Paramus Ambulance Corps, SUVs for the Police Department and perhaps the biggest boon for frequent attendees of mayor and council meetings, new seats for the courtroom, which doubles as council chambers.

The next step is to obtain the council's authorization to solicit bids on the various purchases provided for in the bond ordinance. The next public meeting of the mayor and council is May 24.