Township adopts bond, equipment ordinances

By: John Tredrea
   Public works equipment and improvements to municipal buildings and grounds are covered by a $1.244 million bond ordinance unanimously approved in an adoption vote cast by the Hopewell Township Committee Sept. 20.
   The ordinance was introduced by a unanimous committee vote Sept. 6. Under the ordinance, the committee can appropriate $1,310,000, this money to be raised by the $1.244 million municipal bond issuance.
   Items expected be purchased under the bond ordinance include: two dump trucks, one pick-up truck, a brake lathe, a 12-foot enclosed trailer, a street sweeper and road grader, all for public works, for a total of $622,500.
   Another $275,000 is earmarked for a2,000-ton salt storage dome, $75,000 for electrical service for a storage building, and $25,000 to upgrade a truck lift in the public works building. The salt that would be stored in the dome is of the type used on icy roads during the winter.
   Also adopted via unanimous committee votes Sept. 20 were two capital expenditure ordinances, both introduced by a unanimous committee vote Sept. 6.
   Covered by one of the ordinances is appropriation of $78,500, for items including: two mobile data terminal units, not to exceed $20,000; a municipal court video-conferencing center, not to exceed $15,000; a double-axled trailer, not to exceed $5,000; a brake lathe, not to exceed $7,500; a HVAC system, for the sign department of township public works, not to exceed $9,000; and up to $10,000 for a study on septic and sewer issues.
   Covered by the other capital improvement ordinance is appropriation of $11,400 from the township’s water utility fund, for: a chlorine monitor, not to exceed $6,000; the replacement of chemical feed pumps, not to exceed $900; the purchase of a pH (used to measure acidity) monitor, not to exceed $2,000, and purchase of a generator, not to exceed $2,500.
   As is required by state law, a public hearing was held on each of the ordinances before the adoption vote. There was no public question or comment on any of the ordinances.