Ogdensburg starts planning for 2018

OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Council discussed 2018 department positions, Dec. 11, at their meeting.
Mayor Rachel Slater reviewed some changes: Council President Peter Opilla will be the Municipal Insurance Commissioner and be responsible for Parks and Playgrounds; personnel goes to Councilman George Hutnick; the whole council will be responsible for finance and taxes; the Municipal Drug Alliance goes to Councilman Robert Gunderman; and Councilman-elect Michael Nardini will be the Water Commissioner.
Councilman Anthony Nasisi announced the new municipal judge will be Glenn Gavan, starting Jan. 1, 2018.
Councilman David Astor said, at budget time they will discuss a five-year maintenance plan, purchasing another vehicle, and hiring another Department of Public Works employee. He said the new vehicle will supplement their dump truck in order to maintain roads. The council purchased a new pickup truck last year.
Hutnick commented, the problem is everything is 10-15 years old.
Astor added the salt destroys vehicles. Also, he continued, DPW Supervisor Chris Ross is securing quotes regarding repairing the salt shed roof.
Kate McNamara of Project Self-Sufficiency, discussed a new R.V. traveling program to help low-income families, single, teen, and first time parents participate in parenting, computer, and career classes, child care center, home visitation; and receive food pantry items and diapers. The Impact 100 Garden State Grant allowed them to buy the new R.V., with computer classroom, counseling offices, and food pantry.
McNamara said they will serve the following towns, which have Federal poverty levels and are distant from the Newton campus: Vernon, Montague, Sussex, Hamburg, Franklin, Ogdensburg, Hopatcong, Kenvil, Netcong, and Jefferson. She said, although Sussex and Northern Warren Counties are largely affluent, they still have pockets of extreme rural poverty. Project Self-Sufficiency, she said, would like to work closely with Ogdensburg in order to determine the best place and time for borough residents to receive services.
Astor offered for Project Self-Sufficiency to meet with the superintendents of Hamburg, Hardyston, Franklin, Ogdensburg, and Wallkill, at a one-time meeting.
McNamara complimented an Ogdensburg school parenting program she attended.
She said, “It was great,” and “I know there is lots of good stuff going on in Ogdensburg,” adding, their goal is to attend similar programs and offer help.