Community Corner

Council Talks Energy, Sustainability At Municipal Offices

Cost versus benefit.

That's the issue before members of Point Borough Council, who this week heard a presentation from Navantas, a self-described "sustainability expert company."

An official with the company pitched a plan to the borough for a sustainability officer, who would oversee retrofitting efforts for borough offices, which would in turn be done by an outside company.

Councilman Bob Sabosik urged estimates for how much a position like a sustainability officer would cost the town.

Eric Hansel, who is chief executive officer of Navantas, declined to give an estimate until his company could do a review of the town's most recent utility bills to see exactly how much would be required of the contracted sustainability officer.

Once an estimate have been formulated, then an outside company would come in and do the retrofitting work on any required municipal office fixtures, like lighting or heating and air-conditioning systems to achieve the desired end result - cost savings.

That company would then provide an estimate of the total amount of the project. If the town opted not to go forward with the plan at that point, the town would be on the hook for 50% of the cost of the estimate.

If the town proceeded with the project the cost of the estimate could then be rolled into the total cost of the project, Hansel said.

That estimate would have to fall within 90% of what the actual savings would be because anything over that amount would have to be paid for by Navantas, Hansel said.

One councilmember, Antonette De Paola, voiced concerns over the logistics of such a project, noting that the state of New Jersey requires certain projects to go out to bid.

Another councilmember, Chris Leitner said if the project could be done it may be worth looking at shared service agreements with other area offices that may benefit from from similar projects, like the local school board.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here