Politics & Government

Council Briefs: Bond Ordinance Introduced for Repairs

The township council also approves resolutions for a change order and police department grant.

What follows is an account of actions taken on April 14 by the Bridgewater Township Council, which, while not breaking news, are still of note.

Money appropriated for repairs

The township council unanimously introduced a bond ordinance to provide an appropriation of $162,750 for improvements throughout the township.

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If the ordinance is approved, the money will be used for the acquisition of a pick-up truck with plow, dump body for truck frame, playground equipment, installation of an emergency generator and acquisition of video conferencing court equipment.

“These are the same items that were put in the capital budget,” said township administrator Robert Bogart.

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Council president Howard Norgalis emphasized that the emergency generator is already owned by the township, but the bond ordinance allows for the purchase of the electrical equipment that will provide the housing for the generator.

Public hearing for the ordinance will be held May 2.

Council introduces bond ordinance for road improvements

The township council approved the introduction of a bond ordinance for $2,080,000 to be used for various road improvements and similar issues throughout the township.

This ordinance includes funds for drainage improvements to Vosseller Road, Commons Way, Foothill Road and others; road overlay work on Somerville and Drum Hill roads among others; and sidewalks on Union Avenue, Garretson Road and other locations.

“This is the non-equipment portion of the capital budget and is mostly roads and road-related issues,” township administrator Robert Bogart said.

Public hearing for the ordinance will be held May 2.

Change order issued because of additional improvements

Because of additional improvements needed on one of the roads in question, the township council unanimously approved a resolution to allow for a change order to increase a contract cost from $118,307.28 to $127,304.08.

The contract with Z. Brothers Concrete Contractors Inc. was for the Frohlin Drive Phase 3, Middle Road Phase 2 and Bartle Lane Repairs project.

According to the resolution, adjustments needed to be made in the amount of materials to be ordered.

Township administrator Robert Bogart said the construction company found it necessary to increase project limits to improve the intersections into the nearby school.

“And then some additional money was needed for some other fixes with widening the road,” he said.

Township acquires easement for road improvement

The township council unanimously approved a resolution to acquire a triangle easement at the intersection of Mountain Top and Crim roads for a cost of $28,360.

“The mayor has taken a personal role in staying after this and getting the owners to agree to the easement,” said township attorney Bill Savo. “It’s a very dangerous intersection and the council has been pushing this for a couple of years.”

“We’re hopeful that something could be done because it’s a blind spot there,” he added.

According to the resolution, the agreement also provides for the payment of $2,500 for the former owner to install trees on the easement to provide a buffer.

The agreement, according to the resolution, also provides for the construction and maintenance of a retaining wall, which will help for better sight vision at the intersection.

Police department receives $56K grant

The township council unanimously approved a resolution to accept a grant from the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Law and Public Safety.

The grant is for $56,168, and is used as part of the Safe and Secure Communities Program.

Township administrator Robert Bogart said the township has received this grant every year for the past 15 years.

“It is for partial payment for two patrol officers,” he said.

The grant, which is used for salaries of officers, will last from Aug. 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. It is used for newly hired officers.


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