Panos: Contract award part of 'political game'
Concerns hold up storm sewer project
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

Lucille Panos

OLD BRIDGE - - A plan to thwart flooding in one section of town has been put on hold due to concerns from a councilwoman who feels the town is awarding too much money to the same engineering firm.

The Township Council twice tabled a resolution to award a $176,000 contract to CME Associates during a Jan. 22 meeting. The contract was for the design of a storm sewer bypass in the area of Pine Street, which runs west from Route 18.

Despite concerns raised by Republican Councilwoman Lucille Panos, the project is needed to address flooding issues, according to Mayor Jim Phillips, a Democrat.

"In my heart and soul, I believe this project should move forward," Phillips said. "I would rather spend time lighting a candle than spend time chasing the darkness."

At the council's reorganization meeting Jan. 8, Panos requested a report giving the breakdown of money the town has paid to CME, which she said was over half-million dollars in a period of six months. She did not receive the report until five minutes into the Jan. 22 meeting, she said, which did not allow her enough time to review the information.

"I find it contemptuous that such a political game is being played," she said.

Panos said she was unhappy with the fact that CME was to receive the no-bid contract on a project in Ward 6, which she represents. It put her in an uncomfortable position, she said, because if she were to vote against the project because of CME's involvement, the residents of her ward might see it as a lack of concern on her part.

"I can't possibly understand what she was trying to do," said council President Patrick Gillespie, a Democrat. "The flooding in that part of town is too serious an issue that we don't have time to play games."

Gillespie said Panos acted unprofessionally by holding up the process.

But Democratic Councilman G. Kevin Calogera also took issue with the contract being given to CME.

"As a layperson, I'm a little taken aback by a figure of $176,000," Calogera said. "I'm not really comfortable with that. I have nothing to compare it to because it's the only one we're taking."

Calogera questioned Township Business Administrator Michael Jacobs about whether at least three engineering firms were consulted to get a competitive bid. While Jacobs said three firms were considered, no estimates were obtained from the other firms, and CME was chosen because they did the initial phase of evaluating the project.

"We used a fair and open process," Jacobs said.

Panos laughed at his assertion.

"The fair and open process is not fair and open," Panos later told the Suburban, making note of CME's contributions to Democrats' election

campaigns. "It's still pay-to-play, I have no doubt in my mind about that."

CME was awarded the contract after officials compared their qualifications with those of other firms, Phillips said. Regarding pay-to-play, he said Old Bridge is one of the few communities that limits the campaign contributions of professionals to $300.

"That's one of the toughest pay-to-play regulations that anyone has in the state," Phillips said.

Phillips agreed to hold off on voting on the project until after questions raised by the South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department were answered.

"I wish the councilwoman would ask these questions beforehand," Phillips said. "I don't know if she misunderstands or has some other motive."

Panos had asked the members of the fire department to write down any questions they had about the plan, and submit them to her. The members of the department, however, did not expect to get answers before the vote took place, Fire Chief Bob Verney said.

"We, as a fire department, know that it is not our place to approve or disapprove a proposal," Verney said. "We also know it's not our place to ask the council not to proceed until our questions were answered. In no way do we want to see this project be delayed or put off. This is a long time coming."

Phillips said the fire department had been involved with the plan every step of the way, but Panos said the department had not yet viewed the newest plan, and that its knowledge and input was necessary.

"They may not wear suits and hold engineering degrees, but their expertise is priceless," Panos said.

Phillips was not present when the resolution was first brought up for a vote because he was conducting a separate meeting with a group of residents. When he returned to find out that the resolution had been tabled, he questioned why.

"I simply do not understand where you're trying to take this," Phillips told Panos. "I just would like to move this project as quickly as I can."

Panos referenced a presentation given by CME about the project.

"Here, you're looking at a PowerPoint presentation with all these suits in the room, and you need a volunteer fireman to say, 'Hey, the water doesn't flow that way,'" Panos said.

Verney acknowledged that some of CME's proposals were reworked after meetings with the fire department, but said they are happy with the way the plans have been set.

"As long as they're satisfied, I'm happy," Panos said. "I'm going to vote for it, but I'm going to hold my nose while I vote for it. I guess in life you have to make compromises. This has to be rectified."