Dear Editor:
In reference to the Secaucus Recreation Center under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), I did make a request for the Public Service Electric and Gas bills for the months of January and February, inclusive, on March 4, 2009. I do suggest if you are standing that you take a comfortable chair before reading further on. On March 12, I did receive a copy of the requested bills from the town.
For the month of January 2009, the total bill is $16,927.121 with $3,385.20 for gas and $13,541.92 for electric. PSE&G’s total bill for February 2009 is $17,192.59, with $3,512.14 for gas and $13,680.45 for electric. Just remember that this building is fully air conditioned and will be fully operational during May through October also to be factored in. This building contains 33,000 square feet of space.
The town did receive from PSE&G a shut-off notice due on March 3 for $34,387.06. Fortunately the town made a payment of $17,192.59.
This is only one line item of the operational cost of the recreation center which is very expensive. And you, the taxpayers of Secaucus, will pay for this unwarranted and unaffordable expenditure even though you were denied your constitutional right to vote for or against it.
Sincerely,
Sam Maffei