THE BOROUGH OF MEDFORD LAKES STUDIES POSSIBLE AGREEMENT WITH MEDFORD TOWNSHIP FOR SHARED POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES

The Borough of Medford Lakes is currently evaluating a proposal it requested from the Township of Medford to provide police and public safety services to the Borough under a long term shared services agreement. Such an arrangement, if properly structured, may have the potential to save millions of dollars for Borough residents over the life of the agreement while maintaining a high level of professional and quality policing and public safety services.
Under the terms of the Medford proposal and based on its initial analysis, the Borough estimates that it could realize a savings of approximately $12.0 million over the life of the agreement. For a Medford Lakes homeowner with an assessed value of $200,000, this savings would equate to over $10,200 during the life of the agreement, over $1,020 per year.
As it proceeds to evaluate the Medford proposal, the Borough will carefully scrutinize and appropriately balance the tangible and intangible aspects of this proposed change to its delivery of police and public safety services. Borough Council will deliberate this opportunity for shared services in a diligent and thoughtful manner, with input from Borough residents.
Chief Anthony Canale of the Medford Police Department stated that, “We welcome the opportunity to help our neighbors in Medford Lakes, and we are confident that, if called upon, we will offer them first class policing and public safety services.”
Mayor Paul G. Weiss, Esq. stated that, “Medford Lakes is a unique community with a rich history and traditions that we want to preserve. Council is reviewing all aspects of the Borough’s operations to determine opportunities for realistic, long term cost savings and other operational improvements that will better position the Borough for a sustainable future.”
Questions may be addressed to: Mayor Weiss or Geoffrey Urbanik, Borough Manager at 609-654-8898.