Teaneck OK’s Generators for Public Buildings

The Teaneck Township Council has approved an additional $300,000 bond ordinance to purchase emergency generators for township buildings.

The latest allocation came after the council signed off on an initial $400,000 bond in September 2012 for two generators, one at police headquarters and another for the Richard Rodda Community Center.

Township Manager William Broughton said officials at the time wanted to purchase a generator for the municipal building, but didn’t yet have details on the power load from the former police station, which is set to be renovated and connected with the town hall.

The ordinance passed unanimously June 25 covers another generator to power the town hall, old police station, link between the two buildings and public library, Broughton said.  

The township opted for diesel generators after a recommendation by Omdex Inc., an engineering consulting firm based in Midland Park. Broughton said diesel generators are more efficient and cheaper.

Broughton also pointed to widespread natural gas outages that hit communities along the Jersey Shore after Sandy slammed the region. With diesel, Teaneck wouldn’t have to rely on gas service from PSE&G to keep the generators working during a major outage.

“From a public safety standpoint, the more resources we can control, the easier it is for us to operate during a storm,” said Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin.

Councilman Yitz Stern, an official at the county’s police and fire academy in Mahwah, called the center’s diesel generator “extremely reliable.”

Teaneck has been hard hit by power outages in even minor storm. During Hurricane Sandy, residents looking for information showed up at town hall, but found the building without power.

Some residents questions the decision to use diesel rather than natural gas. Township resident Naomi Cramer said the council needed to better explain the expenditures.

“You’re using township money,” she told the council. “You need to find better ways of communicating how and why you’re spending this money.”

Editor's Note: Video of the council discussion is included above, as provided by the township.