At the council meeting on March 10, an ordinance was unanimously adopted amending Chapter 2 of the borough code titled “Administration,” to include a new section called “Project Labor Agreement” (PLA).

The ordinance states, “The borough is committed to entering into fair agreements with contractors who perform projects for the Borough of Point Pleasant…(and) believes that it is appropriate and necessary to ensure that experienced and talented persons perform services on borough projects.”

It states, “The borough therefore mandates that all contracts entered into by the borough for work for and on behalf of the Borough, which contracts are awarded and in compliance with the provisions of the New Jersey Law…with a minimum contract cost of $5 million shall be subject to a Public Labor Agreement.”

Mayor Robert Sabosik told The Ocean Star, “This is guaranteeing that we employ local people for projects over $5 million. We are going to be using a PLA for the new recreation and senior citizen center.” He confirmed the borough defines “local” as individuals or companies from Ocean or Southern Monmouth County.

He said, “This creates a better environment and, what I firmly believe, a better building for the town of Point Pleasant.”

At Monday night’s meeting, the courtroom was packed with contractors, apprentices and union representatives, all in favor of the ordinance, with a few representatives speaking out during public comment.

Sergio Verdesco, a representative of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, specifically representing the floor layers for that organization, said, “I wanted to thank you guys for this project labor agreement ordinance that will ensure that our members who live in the area, work in the area, spend their hard-earned money in the area, to do that work.”