UPDATE: One Proposal For Fourth Try at Hockey Rink Repair

have been reviewing the one bid received on Wednesday following Bernards' fourth advertisement for proposals to repair and resurface the cracked and locked-up roller hockey rink at Harry Dunham Park.

The bid received by the deadline of 11 a.m. on Wednesday outlined a job proposal for $115,000, said Bruce McArthur. The Township Committee ultimately is responsible for awarding contracts for municipal jobs.

However, another legal motion in a continuing legal action by township resident Douglas Wicks asks that a judge halt the township from potentially awarding any bid received on July 11, the Wednesday deadline, and that the bid specifications be rewritten to accept proposals for a tile rather than asphalt surface, in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications. Or, as an alternative, the legal motion asks that the township undertake a comprehensive study of whether the tile surface would work at the hockey rink, located in a fenced area off Somerville Road.

After the last — resurface the rink and perform other repairs and reconstruction on the site under a budget of $175,000, the Township Committee agreed to have more of the project done with township workers with the hopes of bringing down the cost. The lowest bid received at the end of June was for about $190,000.

The rink has been locked and off limits to skaters and hockey players for the past two years, since the cracked surface was deemed unsafe for skating.

Since then, the Township Committee had approved in 2011, and one this year.

The project attracted the lawsuit from Doug Wicks, who has been trying to prove in court that the bids were advertised in a way that left out installation of plastic tiles instead of pavement. Wicks has maintained that the plastic tile surface, used at other rinks, would be less expensive and longer lasting that asphalt.

Last year, one of the bid packages did allow the option of plastic tiles. However, combined with an improved drainage system — although Wicks protested he does not believe extra drainage is needed —

On Wednesday, the township received no feedback from any other prospective bidders on why they choose not to bid this time, McArthur said.

"We did receive one bid today in the approximate amount of $115,000," he said on Wednesday. "This bid is being reviewed by staff as we speak; it is premature to say if it is a responsive bid and whether we intend to award such bid."

Once the bid opening is held no more bids may be submitted to the township, said Township Engineer Tom Timko.