Council Briefs: Township to Put Property on Market

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

Land purchase approved for affordable housing

The council unanimously approved an ordinance to to be used for affordable housing.

The property is a little more than nine acres, and will be used for affordable housing in the future, although no building is planned at this moment.

Councilman Matthew Moench said that at a recent governing officials meeting, representatives from other townships said they are scrounging to find money for affordable housing, unlike Bridgewater.

“Bridgewater seems to be in the best position now,” he said.

Council starts process to sell land

The council unanimously introduced an ordinance that will authorize the sale of a piece of land owned by the township at the intersection of Milltown Road and Route 22, and not currently being used.

According to township administrator James Naples, there has been some interest in this property, and this ordinance starts the process of the sale.

“It’s township-owned property that has no public purpose,” he said.

Councilman Matthew Moench said the property is not even open space, and there is no open space usage for it.

“This is extremely commercial available land that the township owns and has no means of using,” he said. “We would like to sell it to offset taxes for residents.”

A public hearing will be held July 2.

Council approves contract for legal services

A contract was awarded unanimously to Christopher Bateman, as chief municipal prosecutor, for professional legal services in the township.

The contract is not to exceed $75,000.

“He has served as prosecutor since 2002,” said township administrator James Naples. “He has done an excellent job, and the court is recognized throughout the county as the best-run municipal court.”

Township to purchase new equipment

The council unanimously approved a resolution to award a state contract to purchase a wireless lift with swing arm through the NJ Cooperative Purchasing Program with Stertil Koni USA.

The cost of the vehicle is $51,182.

Township administrator James Naples said the equipment is for extremely large vehicles for doing service in the new public works facility.

Council approves contracts for engineers

The council unanimously approved a resolution to give professional engineering inspection services contracts to a total of 13 firms, all agreeing to work for $85 an hour.

When services are needed, according to township engineer Robert Bogart, the company with that particular specialty is asked to perform the service.

“There isn’t enough work to go around, so not all of them will get work,” he said.

The chosen companies are Birdsall Services Group; John Silo Jr. Associates; Consolidated Construction Management Services Corporation; Dewberry-Goodkind; Engineering & Planning Associates; Hatch Mott Macdonald; Morris P. Hebert; Heritage Consulting Engineers; Keller & Kirkpatrick; Maser Consulting; Nova Qa; The Reynolds Group; and Van Cleef Engineering Associates.

Change order approved for drainage project

Because of additional work needing to be done, the council unanimously approved a resolution to authorize a change order for the Donahue Road Drainage Ditch Stabilization Project.

The cost has increased from $71,867.50 to $84,463.

The contract is with Kulpeksa Land Improvement Corp.

According to councilman Matthew Moench, this work was done in an area that had significant damage from flooding.

Another change order for increase in project

The council unanimously approved an increase in a contract with Reivax Contracting Corporation for the Byrd Avenue road improvement project, phase two.

The contract increases from $231,684.38 to $231,923.76.

The increase is because of additional materials needed in the project.

Township applying for police grant

The council approved a resolution to apply for a $4,400 grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2012 Statewide Crackdown.

Police officers who participate in the program will receive a rate of $50 if the township receives the grant.

One more business gets liquor license renewal

Fratelli’s Restaurant, on Washington Valley Road, was unanimously approved for a renewal of its liquor license.

All affairs are in order with the license, and the police had no objections to the renewal.