Municipal Building Renovations to Allow for Disaster Command Center

Right after Labor Day, Bernards Township officials plan to begin about $300,000 worth of renovations to the municipal court and meeting room to also turn the space into a warming center and command center if the need arises.

The project, which would also make the room comply with updated municipal court guidelines, would improve technology functionality with enhanced web and broadcast capability and improved computer access as well as "banks" of outlets that could be used for emergency staff or charging phones, said Township Administrator Bruce McArthur.

Renovations also are set to include a new ceiling, carpeting, high-efficiency lighting and ventilating systems and other improvements, McArthur said.

In preparation for the renovations, Township Committee meetings set for Sept. 10 and 24, and Oct. 15 and 29 are being moved to the Bernards Townshp Library, Township Clerk Denise Szabo announced on Tuesday. All of those meetings are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

The meetings are scheduled to be held in program room B in the library, located at 32 S. Maple Ave. in downtown Basking Ridge.

McArthur said officials hope the room renovations will be completed by Thanksgiving, but have not issued notice to move meetings because the project might be completed sooner.

The township already has issued contracts for about $250,000 worth of the work, he said.

Separate steps also are being taken to purchase a generator capable of powering the historic municipal building and keeping it as a public warming center. The Township Committee last week introduced an ordinance that included $260,000 of previously budgeted funds that McArthur said would include installation, building pads and significant electrical upgrades. A consultant hired by the township is preparing a bid package for that project, he said.

The final reading on the ordinance is scheduled for the July 9 Township Committee meeting.

The township's current generator, which did not keep the entire municipal building functioning during Hurricane Sandy, would be moved to the health department building on South Finley Avenue, McArthur said. That generator did not keep the municipal building entirely and consistently functioning during Hurricane Sandy.