LETTER: Despite Zimmer’s viewpoint, councilman still not rushing new Suez deal

In a letter to the editor, Hoboken Councilman-at-Large Dave Mello says he’s still not rushing the new Suez Water deal, despite Zimmer’s argument to do so in a recent interview.

Dear Editor,

I’m taken aback this morning by my former running mate’s comments regarding her proposed Suez Water contract extension.

First, to say that this proposed contract is better, is not saying much. The existing contract is horrible, and it does not take much to improve on the existing agreement.

To say that I should vote for this contract extension because it is an improvement, is not saying much at all. If a football team went winless last year, and they win one or two games this year, they’ve improved, but their coach will probably still get fired.

Second, regarding the $8.35 million liability, it is surprising to read that the administration still doesn’t know what this amount is.

To quote the Mayor, “The reality is we don’t know exactly what the amount is.” How, exactly, can this point of leverage for Suez Water, be clearly understood, if the amount of this supposed liability is still unclear, AND this “liability” was never properly billed.

I’m shocked that this liability wasn’t more accurately pinned down, and that there was no legal challenge to this “liability” not being billed in a timely manner.

Third, to my knowledge, the City’s hired negotiator still has never looked into other possible water providers, to comparables across the nation, or to whether we could take some of these services back in-house.

When I specifically asked about these potential sources of leverage for the City at the August meeting, I was told that these things had not been done. I was also, surprisingly, told that there aren’t “comparables” that exist.

This is so shocking, because everyone drinks water! I lose faith in our hired negotiator/consultant when he tells me he can’t develop comparables (note ==> Councilwoman Fischer’s questioning about whether this contract was “at market” or “above market” speaks to the lack of comps as well).

Fourth, nobody has explained the urgency here. Councilman Russo has requested insight into these negotiations for over a year now, and was consistently rebuffed.

It’s understandable that he would make such a request, since the administration seemed more focused on blaming his father for the existing contract, rather than renegotiating it at any point during the eight years my old team has been in office.

For some odd reason, there was no sense of urgency in assuring Councilman Russo that negotiations were proceeding thoroughly and expeditiously. Yet, once an intense election season was set in motion, an inexplicable sense of urgency was also created.

As Mike Lenz wisely stated recently, “Slow down. Get the facts. We’ve owed the money for years, we’ll still owe it in January. Let the next Mayor and Council decide. They, and we, will have to live with those decisions.”

This is a contract extension that is being proposed. People are so focused in on the purported $8.35 million liability, because it makes it appear that this proposed contract extension is a last minute attempt to get out of trouble.

It’s akin to one of my students trying to hand in a pile of late assignments right before the marking period ends, so that they won’t get in so much trouble with their parents, and will give their GPA a boost.

This should never be the basis for committing to major policy decisions.

I have always tried to do what is best for Hoboken. I have also always rejected attempts to escalate political discourse in a mile square city of approximately 55,000 people to such irrational and hyper levels.

This proposed contract is a better deal for the Hoboken taxpayer, ONLY if the taxpayers weren’t all also water ratepayers.

The reality is, they are one in the same (the further reality is we are not inundated with car washes in our city).

We on the City Council need to ensure that we are finally considering a fair deal for the Hoboken taxpayer/ratepayer – for our neighbors, friends, and families.

To do anything else would be an abandonment of the duties that I was so honored to be trusted with eight years ago.

Dave Mello Hoboken Councilman-at-Large

Editor’s Note: Mello is seeking re-election on Freeholder Anthony Romano’s mayoral ticket.