Council President Polistina: Northfield always a leader in shared services
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD — The city has formally thrown its support behind the countywide consolidated court system, with the caveat that it is up and running by Jan. 1, 2022.
During the work session prior to the formal meeting July 13, Council President Tom Polistina said there’s been a perception that Northfield has been fighting against a shared court.
“That is a misrepresentation; Northfield has always been a leader in shared services,” he said, noting that may be why the city had so many alternatives to consider, including joining with Hamilton Township, Hammonton or the county. It already shares a court with Linwood.
“We would be negligent if we did not vet and evaluate all of the proposals, regardless of whose proposal it is,” he said, referring to Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, who proposed the central system. “Another thing is, since we’ve been involved in so many shared services, we know what the pros and cons are.”
Polistina thanked Mayor Erland Chau and City Council for its hard work on the court issue, saying some people have been working on it for months.
The meeting’s agenda included one resolution to join Hammonton and another to join the county, but Polistina reported that Hammonton had backed out and there would be no need to consider that option.
Chau, who has been part of the committee researching the countywide court proposal from the beginning, said he appreciates everyone’s hard work and diligence in terms of looking into this. “It’s our responsibility in terms of looking out for our residents and taxpayers and I’m proud to say this council has done that,” Chau said. “This is virgin territory for us in Atlantic County as far as consolidation of court.”
He said he understands City Council’s reservations about the consolidated court, noting that his experience has shown that there are always some winners and some losers when it comes to shared services.
“Hopefully at the end of this down the road, we are all going to come out ahead,” he said. “Regardless of whether we go with the county or with another municipalities, we are doing what’s best for the taxpayers.”
The county has been basing its numbers on 11 municipalities participating but Polistina said even with six or seven there still would be savings from prior years and savings from what the city budgeted.
“In addition, there are some large municipalities that may be joining and that would make it a better financial decision for us in addition to the services,” Polistina said, noting one of the positives is the ability to do so much remotely now.
Councilman Frank Perri said he would like to see central dispatch from the county as well.