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Council discusses veteran-friendly municipal resolution, asks staff for more research
Summary
Council President Boyce introduced a draft veteran-friendly resolution that would set goals for contracting with veteran-owned businesses and hiring veterans; members praised the intent but raised legal and procurement concerns and asked staff to research examples from nearby municipalities and consult counsel before returning it as old business.
Council President Boyce introduced a draft resolution aimed at making Old Tappan "veteran-friendly," proposing goals such as contracting preferences for veteran-owned businesses and workforce targets. "It stipulates ... that 6% of the contract to be awarded to a qualified veteran subcontractor ... and then also a minimum of 5% of the workforce of the borough should be veterans," Boyce said while outlining suggested targets.
Several council members applauded the intent but raised legal and practical questions. One member warned the council not to "put us in a box" with procurement preferences that could invite a bid protest; another noted that set-aside preferences are permitted in some procurement statutes but can result in awards that are not the lowest bidder. A council member recommended surveying neighboring municipalities and consulting municipal counsel or the League of Municipalities for model language and guidance.
The council did not adopt the draft resolution that evening; members asked staff to research how other similarly sized municipalities implement veteran-preference resolutions, to check legal implications and to return the matter as old business at the March meeting.
