Politics & Government

Online Agendas First Step in Kinnelon Transparency Improvement

Council will discuss bids for Boonton Avenue field snack stand operator, dispatch contract with Butler during work session meeting Thursday.

The Borough of Kinnelon has already begun taking steps to improve transparency, a goal of Mayor Robert Collins', by making public items that will be up for discussion at work session and regular meetings thorugh the borough website.

Agendas for the past two Kinnelon Council meetings, including the council's annual reorganization meeting, have been posted on the website. Previously, agendas were not available online.

At the reorganization meeting, Collins explained that he would like to see the borough work to improve government transparency in 2013.

Find out what's happening in Tri-Borowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I think we have an opportunity here to improve how we communicate with the general public," he said.

He told audience members that the borough would not only be posting agendas in advance of meetings, but making minutes from the meetings available electronically as well.

Find out what's happening in Tri-Borowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As part of that, the agenda for Thursday's work session meeting was posted on the website with several items under CFO Donna Mollineaux's report. Included is discussion over authorizing bids for an operator for the snack stand at the Boonton Avenue field. For the past two years, the snack stand has been operated by Kinnelon resident Greg Kassar, who has offered much more than the average hot dog and hamburger to game-watchers.

Kassar was able to expand his business to also serve parents and game attendees at Anderson Field in Bloomingdale last year.

Also at Thursday's meeting, Mollineaux will discuss entering into a dispatch contract with the Borough of Butler, advertising for part-time help in the borough clerk's office and more.

Thursday will be the first meeting where council members will provide reports on their new committees. It will also be the first work session meeting since new Councilwoman Carol Sventy was sworn in to the council.

See the full agenda for Thursday's meeting here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here