Who is profiting off Colts Neck public works layoffs?

COLTS NECK - The son of Mayor Tom Orgo and a family member of the township's current and past attorneys are among the people who stand to benefit from a decision earlier this month to lay off nearly all of Colts Neck's public works staff, the union representing those employees claims.

Colts Neck-based Pine Tree Landscape Systems, co-owned by Bruce Bennett, has had a contract since 2013 to assist Colts Neck employees with snow plowing. Colts Neck paid Pine Tree Landscape Systems more than $360,000 for snow removal since January 2016, according to public records.

Bennett, who did not return calls for comment, is a member of Colts Neck's Board of Adjustment. He's also the brother of Colts Neck's former attorney, John O. Bennett III, and the uncle of Colts Neck's current attorney, Meghan Clark Bennett.

More: Colts Neck lays off public works staff amid union contract dispute

What's not noted in the contracts is that Slope Brook Farms, a Colts Neck farm and supply company owned by the family of Mayor Orgo, works with Pine Tree Landscape Systems on snow plowing, the mayor said.

Slope Brook Farms is now run by Mayor Orgo's son, who is also named Tom Orgo.

"He helps them out," the mayor said, before referring questions about the extent of the relationship between the businesses to his son. The younger Orgo did not return calls for comment.

CWA Local 1075 President Kevin Tauro said he believes Pine Tree Landscape Systems and Slope Brook Farm will pick up the bulk of the snow plowing once done by township union workers.

"What we could see with the shared service agreements, there is no one else doing (plowing) on the side roads," he said. "It's Pine Tree and Slope Brook Farm."

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The mayor has recused himself from votes on snowplowing contracts since at least 2013, according to public documents the Asbury Park Press acquired through the Open Public Records Act.

Its not clear if Tom Orgo Jr. receives any compensation from Pine Tree Landscape Systems for the help. Colts Neck does not have a contract with Slope Brook Farm and has made no payments to it over the past three years, public records show.

Colts Neck laid off nine of the 10 public works staffers who are represented by CWA Local 1075, saying the move would save the township $450,000 a year.

More: Colts Neck layoffs: Cutting public works staff saves $450K, township says

A statement Colts Neck released at the time said the township would instead rely on "previously established partnerships with private contractors" and shared service agreements with Monmouth County, Colts Neck Board of Education and unnamed neighboring municipalities.

Howell and Colts Neck approved a shared service agreement in September for public works services, including mowing, plowing and road work. The contract shows Howell would provide the services at cost and not collect any profit.

Yet Tauro said the resolutions he saw indicate Howell approved only loaning equipment to Colts Neck.

He also questioned how Howell handling public works will save Colts Neck money. He claims Howell's public works staffers, who are also unionized, are better paid than Colts Neck's union workers.

Colts Neck also approved a contract in November with Holmdel that allows Colts Neck to dispose of its leaves at Holmdel's transfer station.

Monmouth County, at the time, said it did not have plans to do additional public works services for Colts Neck beyond what it already does, which includes repairing police cars, occasionally providing equipment and some paving.

Susanne Cervenka: @scervenka; 732-643-4229; scervenka@gannettnj.com