Bathroom cleaning contract raises a stink

Last Updated on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 03:02 pm Written by Shaun Smith Wednesday, June 22, 2011 01:48 pm

VENTNOR– City Commissioners here are divided over the terms of a private contract for janitorial services.

Commissioner Stephen Weintrob voted against a resolution that passed 2-1 Thursday, June 16 that awards a two-year, $39,900 contract to Action Janitorial for cleaning public restrooms in town. The contract includes general cleaning of City Hall during the week and on weekends.

Weintrob said he objected to the resolution because $4,500 for cleaning the outside bathrooms at the library and tennis courts is needed but was not approved. He said at the same time the city was approving $39,000 for the two-year contract, $900 was added for cleaning the bathrooms at City Hall on weekends.

Mayor Theresa Kelly said public works is cleaning bathrooms and the seasonal employees hired at the tennis courts are cleaning those bathrooms. She said so far there have been no problems.

“Just the opposite, things seem to be working out. So, why spend additional money when we haven’t really budgeted for any of it,” Kelly said.

Weintrob noted that traffic for public restrooms picks up in July and August.

“It stands to reason those bathrooms will be far more used in July and August than they are now. So, using now as an example has no value at all,” said Weintrob.

City Solicitor Timothy Maguire said the city may be able execute a change order if the city finds it necessary to contract additional bathroom cleaning to Action Janitorial.

The current contract with Action Janitorial will expire at the end of June.

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