Monday, June 20, 2016

IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT TO HIRE AN UNREGISTERED LANDSCAPER?

Maplewood has been cracking down for weeks on unregistered landscapers, issuing directives reminding residents that all such firms must be registered with the township.

In addition, the Township Committee recently approved a ban on commercial leaf blowers from June 1 to Aug. 31.

So it may be of interest to find that the school board is set to approve a contract with a New York landscaping firm to handle grounds care, and another for baseball field lawn treatment, at tonight's meeting.

The two contracts would pay Pat Scanlan Landscaping of New City, N.Y. a combined $54,044 for the 2016-2017 school year.

But Pat Scanlan is not among the registered landscapers listed on the Township website, which notes that any firm that operates in Maplewood without being registered can face a fine of up to $1,000.

The firm is also not registered in New Jersey, with its application for a license pending. That may not preclude them from doing work in the state, however.

This is also a renewal for a firm that has been serving the district for the last year unregistered.

School Board President Elizabeth Baker referred questions about the issue to spokeswoman Suzanne Turner, who has yet to respond. 

Township Administrator Joe Manning said the Township will alert the firm that they have to register.

Tonight's meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.