SHREWSBURY — The new municipal complex project is proceeding ahead of schedule, and the mayor and council hope to continue the pace.
To assist in moving the project along, the Borough Council, at Monday’s meeting, approved a resolution that would permit construction to begin a little earlier in the day.
The resolution would allow construction to begin at 7 a.m. and continue until dusk Monday to Saturday, said Council-man Terel Cooperhouse.
Under borough ordinance, construction work was not allowed to commence before 8 a.m., but by starting a little earlier, the work on the new complex can continue at its current pace, Cooperhouse said.
The borough does allow construction work on Sundays between the hours of noon and 4 p.m., and, according to Borough Administrator Constance Lauffer, that will stay the same.
Cooperhouse said the administrator has notified residents who live within 200 feet of the borough property of the change in work hours.
One of the reasons the project has been proceeding ahead of schedule is because of the particularly temperate weather this winter, according to Cooperhouse.
By next week, the councilman said, the parking lot in the rear of the complex area will be usable, and temporary lighting should also be in place.
The borough also has been contacted by a local landscaping supply company, which is willing to take the topsoil excavated from the construction site.
Lauffer informed the council that borough resident and business owner Thomas Farrell said he would take possession of the topsoil and haul it.
Farrell, who owns and operates Thomas Farrell Landscape Supply Inc., Shrewsbury Avenue, said he was willing to pay $40 per truckload for the soil, and there are about 30 truckloads so far, according to Mayor Emilia Siciliano.
Siciliano said she thought this was a good solution to remove the soil.
"I don’t want to hold anything up," the mayor said.
"Get it moving," concurred Council-man William Kelleher.