Commissioners unanimously back ACUA employees amid landfill odor dispute; dozens of grants and contracts also approved

The Atlantic County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution supporting the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) and its employees after public controversy over remarks at a recent press event and continuing constituent complaints about landfill odors.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the resolution was aimed at reassuring ACUA rank-and-file employees that the board supports them while also reiterating the boardwill continue to investigate odor complaints and explore options to mitigate impacts on residents.

Resolution 51, introduced at the start of the public-business portion and moved to the top of the agenda "because ACUA employees were present," calls on the county to support ACUA and recycling initiatives while noting the board does not intend to dissolve or privatize the authority. The clerk read the resolution summary into the record before a full discussion and roll-call vote.

Commissioner Ernest D. Corsi sponsored the measure and asked for the resolution to be read into the record. Multiple commissioners and members of the public spoke in favor of the resolution as a way to provide certainty to ACUA employees. Commissioner Bertino urged colleagues to "give them some comfort…