FREEHOLD – Borough officials have prepared a corrective action plan in response to two recommendations contained in Freehold Borough’s 2016 municipal audit.
On July 17, Borough Council members passed a resolution accepting the 2016 fiscal year audit report prepared by the accounting firm Suplee, Clooney and Company, and passed a resolution adopting a corrective action plan in response to recommendations contained in the audit.
According to the resolution adopting the corrective action plan, the 2016 audit contained two recommendations, both concerning the Freehold Borough Police Department.
The first recommendation is that all police department receipts be deposited within 48 hours under state regulations, according to the resolution. For the corrective action, Police Chief Glenn Roberts has modified general orders regarding cash accounts within the department, which required additional training for all civilian staff and superior officers, to ensure the 48-hour requirement will be met.
The second recommendation, according to the resolution, is that all special duty assignments be within the borough, unless specific written approval is given by the chief of police. For the borough’s corrective action, Roberts has enacted special orders regarding special duty assignments (off-duty) for superior officers who oversee this process, which will ensure adherence to the off-duty policies of Freehold Borough.
In other business, the council passed a resolution approving a $22,079 change order to a $475,813 contract for road repairs. The change order increases the contract to $497,892.
As previously reported, the council awarded the Earle Asphalt Company a contract to complete road repairs in Freehold Borough in 2016.
The change order was made on the recommendation of Borough Engineer William Wentzien, according to the resolution, which states that the change order concerns the quantities of asphalt and concrete being used in the road projects.
“Unfortunately, more asphalt and concrete are needed,” Councilman Michael DiBenedetto said.
Council members also passed a resolution creating a $166,659 emergency appropriation in order to cover the repairs of water leaks.
According to the resolution, 21 water service breaks (leaks) occurred during a fire hydrant flushing operation. Freehold Borough’s emergency contractor, Montana Construction, had to make repairs to the infrastructure.
No adequate provision was made in the 2017 budget to cover the cost of Montana Construction’s work, according to the resolution, necessitating the creation of the emergency appropriation. State regulations allow for the creation of emergency appropriations for purposes intended to meet a pressing need meant to protect the public.
Freehold Borough’s municipal budget for 2017 totaled $16.4 million and dedicated $15.9 million to operating funds. As stated in the resolution, the $166,659 created as an emergency appropriation does not exceed 3 percent of the total operating appropriations in the 2017 budget.
The $166,659 emergency appropriation was made in the other expenses section of the 2017 budget and will be provided for in full in the 2018 municipal budget, according to the resolution.
Finally, the council passed a resolution honoring Frances Hurley, who retired as a staff member at St. Peter’s Church on June 30 after nearly 25 years of service. The resolution declared June 30, 2017, as “Frances Hurley Day.”
According to the resolution, Hurley was a lifelong resident of Freehold Borough until she moved to Freehold Township in 2003. She graduated from Freehold Regional High School in the borough and joined St. Peter’s staff in 1993, where she became the buildings manager of the church.
The resolution credits Hurley with playing a key role in a $1 million restoration of the historic church on Throckmorton Street that borough officials believe saved St. Peter’s.
