for 16 homes on Main St.
HELMETTA — Due to high radiation levels detected in the drinking water of several homes on lower Main Street, the Borough Council voted last week to construct a water main extension that would connect those homes to the municipal water system. The construction contract was awarded to PM Construction Corp., Hillside, in the amount of $165,715.
In October, a split council rejected a construction bid proposed by CRJ Contracting, Roselle, in the amount of $174,000. The council voted 3-3 along party lines in that vote, and Mayor Frank Hague, a Democrat, broke the tie to reject the bid.
Hague said that at the time he believed the council could find a lower bid for the project, which had been expected to cost $125,000 according to a preliminary estimate. Hague said the project would have cost $127,000 had it featured 8-inch piping for the connection, but officials decided to instead use a 12-inch pipe in case the system is ever to be connected with Monroe’s water system.
The council then re-advertised for bids and selected PM Construction. "To some communities, a savings of $10,000 does not seem like much, but in Helmetta that is nearly 2 tax points," Hague said. "Not too bad for only waiting two weeks for a better bid."
The construction will begin within the next month, Hague said. The 16 homes that will benefit from the water main extension presently depend on well water. Along with the majority of borough residences, the 16 homes will receive their water supply through municipal lines tied to East Brunswick. A small number of borough homes receive their water from Monroe Township. Main Street residents, who have been fighting for a water main extension for several years, have drinking water that is severely discolored and contains an offensive odor. Water tests administered by the state Department of Health and Senior Services last summer indicated an alpha-radiation level well above the state recommended limit for a private well.
"I feel great that I can finally give water to these residents," said Hague, "Fortunately, we are now able to do this project with no tax increase."