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Council debates veteran‑friendly municipal goals; seeks more research before adopting set‑asides
Summary
Council President Boyce proposed a 'veteran‑friendly' resolution recommending contracting and hiring goals for veterans (a 6% subcontractor set‑aside and 5% workforce target). Members expressed support but raised legal/ procurement concerns and asked staff to gather examples and counsel guidance for consideration in 30 days.
Council President Boyce presented a draft resolution intended to make Old Tappan a "veteran‑friendly" municipality by establishing contracting and hiring goals for veterans, suggesting a 6% subcontractor set‑aside and a 5% minimum representation in the municipal workforce. "It's a resolution establishing goals for contracting with veteran owned businesses..." he said while outlining the proposal's aims to encourage outreach to veteran‑owned firms and acknowledge veterans in civic affairs.
Several council members voiced support for the idea but warned about potential procurement challenges and legal exposure if a preference were enforced improperly. One councilor said the proposal sounded like a "set aside" and recommended researching how adjacent towns handle similar language; another suggested asking the League of Municipalities and municipal counsel for sample language. The mayor and others asked staff to return with examples from comparable towns and counsel guidance and agreed to place the matter in old business for further review in roughly 30 days.
Members and a veterans‑board representative who spoke during public comment agreed the designation could be meaningful for local veterans, but councilors sought clarifying language to avoid mandatory procurement preferences that could trigger legal challenges.
