Township Council Members Question Private Use of Pickup Truck by DPW Superintendent

Members of the Washington Township council asked during Monday night's council meeting why the superintendent of the drives a township pickup truck to and from his home.

According to DPW Director Chris Riedel, Superintendent Robert Hamilton drives the township truck home only when there is a threat of snow. Riedel said he allows Hamilton to take the truck so he's able to get back to the township during a snowstorm.

"If there's an emergency he's going to be called first to come back," Riedel said.

But council members said they didn't like the idea that a pickup truck with a plow was being taken so far from the municipality. Hamilton lives in Haskell, which is more than 15 miles from the township.

"I don't like the fact that it's out of town since it has a plow on it. I think it's something that should remain here," said Councilman Richard Hrbek. "That was the whole point of getting the extra vehicle--that we have another plow vehicle in town."

Acting Administrator Lilly Chin said the vehicle is in the township when it's snowing because Hamilton drives back in it.

Councilman Joseph D'Urso said the municipal vehicle hasn't been in the lot for the past three weeks, a claim Riedel disputed.

Riedel did admit that the vehicle remained at Hamilton's home last weekend and Monday because there was snow in the weekend forecast and Hamilton didn't work Monday.

Aside from wanting the vehicle in the township, council members said allowing Hamilton to take it home was costing unnecessary money. Chin said the township pays for the gas and wear and tear on the vehicle.

Hrbek said the practice gets expensive. "Now you're driving with a plow a long distance. That's poor fuel economy," he said. "If we're pinching pennies, we're spending a lot of money there."

Council President Fred Goetz pointed out that the township doesn't have a contract with Hamilton that says he gets a municipal vehicle, like it does with the police chief and fire chief.

"Is it prudent to have someone who lives a far distance taking our new pickup truck as opposed to using a personal vehicle when we have no contract that obligates us to do so?" Goetz asked. "Couldn't the vehicle be better utilized?"

The decision is for the township's administration, not the council. Monday night, Chin said, "We just did it because of the snow situation. If it's not what you want, fine. We'll tell him not to take it home."

But D'Urso said that was up to the administration.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said Tuesday morning that Hamilton would no longer be taking the pickup truck home.