Council Briefs: Additional Funds Needed for Extra Litigation

What follows is an account of actions taken on July 18 by the Bridgewater Township Council, which, while not breaking news, are still of note.

Council authorizes sale of property

The township council unanimously approved a resolution to authorize the sale of certain items that are no longer needed by Bridgewater.

The items will be sold at public sale to the highest bidder.

The pieces to be sold are a plow, an oldsmobile, a 1999 Chevy, one pallet of used light bars, a 1980 commercial mower, a 1995 dump truck, a Pontaic Grand Prix and a Toyota Avalon XL.

These items will be sold through a county bid.

Council awards contract for truck

The township council awarded a state contract to purchase one 2012 Ford F-350 Pickup Truck 4-wheel drive with a snowplow from Flemington Chevy Buick GMC Cadillac in Flemington.

The cost of the vehicle is $46,496.

Additional costs needed for litigation

Because of new litigations against the township, the council approved a resolution to pay additional costs for litigation fees.

According to the resolution, adequate provisions were not made in the 2011 budget to account for additional litigation.

The resolution is for an amount not to exceed $250,000.

This cost will be provided for in full in the 2012 budget.

Council awards contract for planning services

The township council unanimously approved a resolution to award a contract for planning services to Francis Banisch and Charles McGroarty, of Banisch Associates, Inc.

The contract is for an amount not to exceed $75,000.

The services are for a period of time from July 18 through Dec. 31, 2011.

Contract awarded for environmental services

The township council approved a resolution to award professional environmental consulting services to Michael Schweitzer and Lanny Katz, both of Ecolsciences, Inc.

The contract is not to exceed $12,000.

The consulting services will be for the township and planning board.

The contract is for services from July 18 through Dec. 31, 2011.

Contract for professional services awarded

The council approved a resolution to authorize a contract for professional services to Paul Ferriero, of Ferriero Engineering, Inc.

The contract is for an amount not to exceed $25,000.

The contract extends from July 18 through Dec. 31.

Ordinance approved for fining unregistered vehicles

The township council approved an ordinance that allows the Bridgewater Township Police Department to use its when they are parked in parking lots.

This ordinance would be enforced on public properties and quasi-public ones, namely those that are owned by companies but are open to the public like the mall, schools, library and other places.

A summons can be issued immediately if an unregistered vehicle is found, and the owner will have 48 hours to move the car or it could risk being towed.