PMUA Commissioners Sued

Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority commissioners are being sued by the authority's former chief financial officer.

On Tuesday, two law firms were approved to continue working on the case. Commissioners Carol Ann Brokaw and Harold Mitchell will be represented at $190 per hour by the firm of Javerbaum, Wurgaft, Hicks, Kahn, Wilkstrom & Simins, P.C., while attorney John Motta will represent Commissioners Malcolm Dunn, Cecil Sanders and Alex Toliver at the same rate. The nature of the litigation was not discussed.

All employees of the authority, including management, will be under a wage freeze for 2014, Executive Director Dan Williamson said. Previously, the authority had imposed furloughs and layoffs. There will be no cost-of-living increases or merit pay this year, Williamson said, noting "2014 could have some challenges for us." However, if the outlook improves, the freeze could be lifted, he said.

Despite the freeze, expanding services may require hiring a new "chief of operations" in 2014. The authority approved contracts with three other municipalities to accept "Type 23" vegetative waste at the Rock Avenue transfer station this year and may try for some "Type 10" contracts (see waste definitions here).

Another reason stated for the need of a COO is that about 45 employees, mostly at the transfer station are in negotiations to form a union. The employees aim to join Teamsters Local 97.

The authority will hold rates for the first quarter of 2014 at the same rate as the last quarter of 2013. Although Williamson said the possibility of an increase will be discussed, he said depending on revenues generated, there could be a decrease.

Commissioners made several comments about the authority's unique range of services and called on Jeff Bliss of Lerch, Vinci & Higgins to explain. The comments appeared to be in defense of statements comparing costs in Union to Plainfield. Of 45 municipalities and eight authorities, Bliss said, "There is no authority that does all the services that you do."

Bliss cited the transfer station, shared services and the fact that the authority provides both solid waste and sewer services as evidence of its uniqueness.

Only four members of the public were present, so it is unclear what prompted the somewhat defensive explanations. But Toliver claimed not many residents read the PMUA newsletter and its message is not getting out. Later in the meeting, he alleged the city of Plainfield is "taking credit" for things the authority does. He referred to "propaganda" and said, "We need to blast the city of Plainfield."

Next month the PMUA will hold its annual reorganization. At present, three of its five commissioners - Mitchell, Brokaw, Toliver - are holdovers whose terms have expired. In February, Dunn's term expires, according to city records, and he will also become a holdover.

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