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Committee approves $4,800 landscaping contract amid dissent over priorities
Summary
Montague Township awarded a $4,800 contract to Eisner’s Nursery for municipal landscaping; Committee member Ms. Holstein voted against the award, arguing DPW capacity concerns and preferring the funds be reserved for Fire Department air tanks.
The Montague Township Committee on April 22 approved Eisner’s Nursery’s $4,800 proposal to add landscaping around the Town Hall and Community Center, with a 4–1 roll call vote. Mr. Merusi moved the award and Mr. Innella seconded; Ms. Holstein opposed the motion, citing doubts about the Department of Public Works’ capacity to maintain new plantings and arguing the funds could support the Fire Department’s air tank reserve.
Clerk Dana Klinger confirmed $10,000 was allocated in the Buildings and Grounds account for the project. Committee members in favor said the landscaping would improve the municipal grounds and address a current lack of basic plantings. Supporters also rejected assertions that DPW was too overextended to maintain new plantings.
The motion passed with Mr. Innella, Mr. LeDonne, Mr. Merusi, and Mayor Zitone voting yes and Ms. Holstein voting no. The Committee did not amend the contract award during the meeting; staff are responsible for coordinating installation and ongoing maintenance.
The minutes record Ms. Holstein’s recommendation to instead direct funding toward the Fire Department’s needs (air tanks costing about $12,000 per six-pack), which she said should take priority over aesthetic improvements.
