Council Briefs: Police Dry Cleaning Approved

What follows is an account of actions taken on Feb. 6 by the Bridgewater Township Council, which, while not breaking news, are still of note.

Council approves resolutions for police dry cleaning

Per agreements in the contracts, the township council unanimously approved two resolutions concerning paying for the purchase of and dry cleaning for police uniforms and shoes.

The first resolution awarded a contract to Atlantic Tactical for the purchase of police uniforms, shoes and leather gear, for a total of $72,964.10.

The second resolution awarded a contract to G.O. Keller Inc. for dry cleaning of those uniforms for $39,627.85.

Both resolutions had been tabled at a previous meeting while the administration was charged with finding out if there is some kind of shared service the township could enter into with the county. But the administration found that the bids the township had received were slightly lower than those from the county.

Councilman Howard Norgalis emphasized that these contracts are required by contract with the police officers. One resident pointed out that it seems inappropriate to pay for these things for officers in these economic times, but Norgalis said they are required.

“This is a contractual obligation,” he said. “In 2011, both of these items were waived, so they did not exist last year, but they are part of the contract now.”

Township decreases cost of Milltown Road repaving project

The council unanimously approved a resolution to authorize a change order from $79,559 to $78,324.76 for the Milltown Road Repaving project near the railroad underpass.

According to the resolution, there was a decrease in the amount of materials needed for the work.

Township awards contract for Union Avenue sidewalks

The council unanimously awarded a contract to DM Fernandes Contracts LLC for the construction of sidewalks on Union Avenue.

The contract is for $59,960.

The project includes sidewalk improvements between Finderne Avenue and Yorktown Road with the construction of 800 feet of curb, 310 square yards of concrete sidewalk and more.

Contract awarded for ditch stabilization project

The council unanimously approved a resolution to award a contract to Kulpeksa Land Improvement Corp. for the Donahue Road ditch stabilization project.

The contract is for $71,867.50.

Construction services will consist of stabilization improvements to a storm water drainage ditch on Route 22 and Donahue Road.

The work will be done in accordance with requirements from the NJ Flood Hazard Area Control Act that limits disturbance within the channel.

Township executes agreement with Raritan for inspection services

The council unanimously approved a resolution to enter into a shared services agreement with Raritan for inspection services in residential and non-residential property inspections.

According to the agreement, the township will provide those services to Raritan, in exchange for a fee to cover costs.