Council Briefs: Traffic Concerns and Road Work Throughout the Township

What follows is a record of actions taken by the Bridgewater Township Council Thursday, which, while not breaking news, still deserve attention.

$58,900 OK'd for Mason Truck

The township council is looking to replace a mason dump truck used by the Bridgewater Township Department of Public Works, so it approved an ordinance to pay for it.

The council is appropriating $58,900 through a bond ordinance for the purchase of the new truck.

"This is for the replacement of a vehicle that we've taken out of service," Bridgewater Township Administrator Jim Naples said.

Zoning Changed, Despite Traffic Worries

Although council members expressed concerns about traffic as a result of the ordinance, unanimous approval was given to replace a hotel conference center zone with a highway enterprise center zone.

The ordinance also changes certain zoning lines, namely moving some properties from the manufacturing zone to the highway enterprise center zone.

The highway enterprise center zone includes permitted uses by such establishments as real estate services, advertising services, hotels, conference centers, medical-support services, banquet centers, health clubs and others.

But several council members expressed concerns about additional traffic in these areas, particularly as they extend toward the Martinsville section of town.

"I am concerned about unintended traffic in the areas around the sites and at those that are further away," said Councilwoman Christine Henderson Rose. "I hope the planning board will consider having a conversation on traffic impacts in those areas of Bridgewater when an application comes forward."

Councilman Allen Kurdyla had a similar problem with the ordinance.

"I understand the economic discussions the planning board has been having," he said. "And I support that if this ordinance moves forward, traffic has to be a major concern."

Kurdyla said this ordinance will impact more than just locations on Route 22, and that has to be considered in the future.

"My vote will come with a heavy concern for traffic on the east end of town," he said.

Harry Ally Basketball, Tennis Courts Getting Repairs

To move forward with repairs at Harry Ally Memorial Park on Grand Boulevard, the township council approved a bond ordinance for reconstruction of the basketball and tennis courts there.

The bond ordinance appropriates $150,000 for the work to be done. Those funds are expected to cover all the costs.

Naples has said the project is expected to take about four to six months, with the courts ready to reopen in the spring.

Measure To Help Goldman Sachs Employees Approved

To accommodate Jersey City employees in an emergency, the council unanimously approved a resolution to allow Goldman Sachs—with a datacenter on Route 202—to install 350 workstations in its office.

Although the approval on the resolution was unanimous, Kurdyla expressed some concern over the reason for the emergency accommodations.

"I would support finding out the reason for this offer," he said.

According to the resolution, this business plan is to be used in the case of an emergency that would prevent employees in Jersey City from using their normal offices. In addition, the company has developed a plan that would have shuttles picking up employees from NJ Transit stations and other areas, while they will be directed to off-site locations when additional parking is needed.

Bridgewater Enters Contract for Peters Brook Tributary

The township council unanimously approved a resolution to accept a contract with Reynolds Group Inc. for the tributary to Peters Brook Drainage Improvement Project.

The contract is for an amount not to exceed $17,560.

The contract provides for services such as on-site inspection, construction stake-out, project administration and construction management.

This project involves culvert replacements at Hillside and Somerset avenues; the enlargement and modification of an existing detention basin at the end of Brian Drive; and other improvements.

"This resolution is to move forward with paying the money," Naples said.

Bridgewater, Using Grant, to Pay More For Part of Master Plan Work

Because of additional state-required hearings, the township council approved a resolution to authorize a 20.5 percent increase in a payment to the RBA Group, Inc. for preparation of the circulation element of the Bridgewater Township master plan.

"The state requested more public hearings," Naples said. "This resolution is to pay for those. But the cost is covered by a grant."

The work was originally done through a grant from the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth. But, in order to satisfy requirement from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for public participation, additional public hearings were required, and held, by the township.

The contract was originally set for $41,500, but the additional public hearings have added an extra $8,000 to the contract.

Cedarbrook, Old Farm, Shannon Rods Getting Repairs

The township has determined that maintenance and repair work is needed for several streets in town, namely Cedarbrook, Old Farm and Shannon roads.

For that reason, the council approved a resolution to award a contract for $102,821 to Asphalt Paving Systems for a chip seal and microsurfacing project on those roads.

"This is an annual project we do," said Robert Bogart, township engineer.

County Gives Bridgewater $7,776

The township has been given a Community Development Block Grant from the county, and the council approved a resolution to accept it.

The grant is for $7,776, and the resolution allows the money to be inserted into the township's budget.