Politics & Government

$2.5M Capital Investment to Address 'Aging Infrastructure'

Bernards Township Committee approves ordinance that appropriates funding for road repairs, technology improvements, more.

Without borrowing money, the Bernards Township Committee has voted to set aside $2,524,400 for multiple major investments around the township, including $1.465 million to resurface 13 roads, $310,000 to patch roads, and repair drainage and guardrails, more than $300,000 to fix up town hall and more.

In providing further information on the total the township's Chief Financial Officer, Terri Johnson, said that this appropriation provides some of what likely is going to be a continuing need to update the township's "aging infrastructure."

Johnson added at Tuesday's committee meeting that the township also is planning other capital investments this year, including $295,000 to install a generator that will keep town hall up and running during a power outage, as well as moving the municipal building's current generator to the health department; and $50,000 for playground equipment updates as needed.

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Johnson said those investments would not be made without further approval from the Township Committee.

On Tuesday, Township Engineer Tom Timko said that the township will be seeking to award contracts within the next few months to resurface 13 roads around the township. Timko said the plan is to perform the road work this year.

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Timko added that the township has applied for a $400,000 state Department of Transportation grant to resurface Pond Hill Road and Madisonville Road from Route 202 to North Maple Avenue. However, he said that the township might receive only part of that grant money.

Any funds received would reduce the township's $2.5 million expenditure, Timko said.

The ordinance also includes an appropriation of $302,000 for roof repairs, and repairs to the ventilation system and general maintenance at the historic municipal building of Collyer Lane.

Responding to a suggestion that the township might want to conduct a feasibility study to determine whether a newer building might be preferable, Deputy Mayor John Carpenter said the current building, the former Astor mansion, has the advantage of "being paid for."

Another $150,000 is set aside in the capital ordinance to purchase two Mason dump trucks for the township Department of Public Works. The new trucks would replace vehicles dating back to 2001 and 2002, Johnson said.

The roads scheduled for resurfacing this year also include Beacon Crest; Cobble Lane, to be resurfaced in a joint agreement with Bedminster Township; Dawn Drive; Doggett Court, Hartley Lane, Homestead Place, Knollcroft Road, Linden Drive; Mine Brook Road from Church Street to Old Coach, Peachtree Road and Tamarisk Court.

The budget is scheduled to come before the committee for a public hearing and final vote for adoption on May 14. If approved, it would add $31 more in municipal taxes for 2013 on an average township home assessed at $587,000.


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