Hunterdon Review

EDITORIAL: Left over problems in Clinton Twp.
October 2, 2007

It’s interesting that former Clinton Township Mayor Tom Borkowski, who didn’t do a whole lot during his two terms as mayor, has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the Corcodilos administration, which is actually trying to get something done.

Councilwoman Rosemarie Malaker makes a good point when she says that Mayor Nick Corcodilos and his administration are having to deal with problems and issues that were either unresolved or simply ignored during Borkowski’s tenure.

Perhaps the most prominent example is that of the Beaver Brook Homestead which was sold at a loss at a public auction last month. The township purchased the homestead for about $1.4 million in the early 1990’s, but previous administrations let it fall into a state of disrepair over the years, and the building only sold for $550,000 at the Sept 7 auction. We were supportive of Corcodilos’ decision to auction off the homestead, which sat vacant for so many years, and get it back on the tax rolls. It’s only a shame that it wasn’t maintained for so many years.

Corcodilos is also trying to deal with the less than ideal situation in the Clinton Township Police Department, an issue that should have received much more attention by the prior administration.

The department, which is one is one the larger ones in Hunterdon County, is in violation of the state Attorney General’s guidelines for working conditions.

The department has no holding cell, no separate entrances for the general public and suspects, and no room to interrogate suspects. Sgt. Ryan Melsky painted a stark picture of the situation at a recent council meeting: “I have seen young kids getting glow sticks for Halloween only to be confronted with intoxicated, bloody suspects at the entrance to the police station,” he said.

Would Borkowski’s idea of simply rearranging municipal offices at the current municipal building resolve all the problems the department is facing? We doubt it.

Finally, there is the issue of Clinton Township leaving the North Hunterdon Municipal Court. The idea didn’t suddenly spawn during Corcodilos’ mayoralty. There was discussion about it during Borkowski’s tenure, but not surprisingly that’s all it was -- talk and no action. It’s a shame to see Clinton Township leave the municipal court, but the decision is understandable considering the court hasn’t exactly been a money maker for the township. According to Corcodilos, the township has lost nearly $60,000 as part of the North Hunterdon Municipal Court in the past year alone.

Whether it is the Beaver Brook Homestead or the situation at the township police department, this administration is doing its best to address problems and issues left over from the prior administration. It can’t be faulted for that.