Mayor Marino upbraids councilman at meeting

HAMBURG-Mayor Paul Marino and Councilman Joe Marano engaged in a contentious discussion at the town meeting this week regarding committee reports, specifically a report regarding the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority Council members are assigned responsibilities as liaisons to groups and committees, and one of Marano's functions is to report on the happenings of the authority. He was recently appointed by the freeholders to a position with the authority that was contested by the mayor. The borough had for 11 years been attempting to get representation on the municipal utilities authority without success. At the time of Marano's appointment last January, council member Ginny Gorman said that they had suggested candidates many times in the past. For example, in 2003, the names of five candidates were submitted, and last May a letter was sent naming Mayor Marino as a candidate. The freeholders said their selection of Marano has been made before receiving that letter, and Marino accused Marano of putting his name in for the post behind the mayor and council's back. In the process of delivering the customary reports at the council meeting, Marano said he had no report regarding the utilities authority. Marino said that Marano should be reporting back to the town about authority business. Marano said, "If there isn't anything to report, I have nothing to say." When the mayor asked Marano about his function with the authority, he replied, "I don't know yet." Marano repeated several times that he felt if there was nothing to report that specifically involves Hamburg, he would not be inclined to give an account of the proceedings. Several council members chimed in, backing the mayor. Ginny Gorman noted that since the meetings are open to the public, "I don't see what the problem is to report back." William Cunningham requested that Marano provide meeting minutes to the council. Marano said, "If it's going to help Hamburg in any way, I will make a report." Since Marano was still reticent about making a full report, the mayor pressed the issue, saying he did not understand. Once again, Marano said, "I really don't understand why I should report." Borough attorney Richard Klemack was consulted, and he concurred with the mayor that Marano should report with a "summary of what occurred" and to "just report back on what happens." Borough resident Dan Bahr said that as a paying member of the municipal utilities authority, everything that happens within the organization pertains to Hamburg, since the town's money is being used to support its activities. Marino concluded by pointing out that the borough has been working towards having representation on the utilities authority for some time. Now that the borough is represented, he told Marano, "Don't undermine this council; I'm asking you to give us information." "This is what I thought would happen," Marino said after the meeting. "I think the members should be able to report back. We haven't had representation for 11 years, and now we have someone." Marino said that if the seat were held by a private citizen and not a council member, that person would be expected to give a short summary report at town meetings. "He doesn't understand that he is representing the people of this town on the board," the mayor continued. "We want a representative who will be able to bring something to the table." Marano did not return several phone calls asking for comment.