The township expects another $100,000 in federal aid to help fund the project planned for Connaught Hill.
By: Concetta Benuzzi Volpe
WEST AMWELL The township may receive $100,000 in federal aid to help fund the underground drainage project planned for Connaught Hill this year.
Add that figure to the $107,000 previously acquired from a combined state and federal municipal aid program in 2002, and West Amwell draws increasingly closer to financing its $500,000 portion of the $1.1 million project being undertaken by both the township and Lambertville.
West Amwell Mayor Peter Buchsbaum shared the news during the Township Committee meeting Feb. 19.
Mr. Buchsbaum said he was delighted after receiving the call Feb. 14 from Congressman Rush Holt, D-12, who claimed the money had been approved. Official notification, however, won’t come for about a month, according to Township Clerk Betty Jane Hunt.
"I believe this is the first time West Amwell received federal monies from transportation legislation," he said. "And it’s a real step forward in terms of resolving the drainage problem on the hill."
The committee was pleased about receiving a federal level nod, especially after West Amwell recently was denied state funding for the same project.
Committee members anticipate funding the entire venture and hope to complete the project in 2004, but if funding sources continue to remain scarce, they may have to consider completing only a portion of it.
Toting a $1.1 million total price tag, the project is a joint effort with the city of Lambertville funding the engineering portion of the work.
According to Lambertville City Clerk Mary Sheppard, the city is halfway home in its quest for financial support, having received a federal grant for $300,000 last March.
Ms. Sheppard said the city expects additional aid but none has been officially designated as yet.
"Pieces appear to be falling into place," Ms. Sheppard said, "But the project will not go forward unless it is funded at 70 percent."
West Amwell has not fared as well, according to Committeewoman Nance Palladino.
"Government grants generally have various specifications and are often predicated in part on income criteria," Ms. Palladino said, adding West Amwell, having applied for similar aid, was found to be ineligible due to rising income levels in the area.
"Our problems are different from Lambertville in that we don’t qualify for as many grants as they do," Ms. Palladino said, "Present income levels often prevent us from applying for state and federal aid."
But Ms. Palladino was quick to assure the project will not be allowed to fall through the cracks.
Township officials made no bones about being committed to the project and pointed to a recently filed federal grant application for $382,000 attached to the 2004 fiscal budget, the balance necessary to complete the entire project.
The grant just approved will help fund drainage improvements scheduled for Skillman Street, a connection to Old York Road, and pavement improvements on 2,400 feet of roadway.
Money received from the state Transportation Trust Fund in 2001 ($107,000) will be used for Hancock and Belvidere streets connections to Lambertville and should be completed this year.
Thinking ahead, Deputy Mayor Gary Bleacher said next year’s budget already is tight and cannot directly support the project, however, the committee will continue to seek other alternatives as well as explore available financial support at the state and federal level.
Mr. Bleacher termed the project an ongoing process, saying it effectively began in 2001 when the Township Committee initially recognized the problem and agreed to do something about it. Mr. Bleacher was mayor at the time.
"Since then, it’s just been a matter of how we can fund it and when we can begin," Mr. Bleacher said.
At the behest of the Connaught Hill Homeowners Association, the committee began to address a variety of issues facing local residents in 2001.
The neighborhood appeared to be degenerating, and local residents took action to halt the process.
Facing a variety of issues, poor drainage soon became the central focus and as taxpayers, hill residents sought municipal guidance demanding answers.
The problem became complex because two municipalities, West Amwell and Lambertville, shared the hill impacting residents local to both areas.
Stormwater drainage, sewers and public water issues were addressed on the Lambertville side while poor drainage, stagnant water buildup and erosion were addressed in West Amwell. To date, an engineering plan has been drafted and approved that should dramatically improve drainage on both sides of Connaught Hill.
According to Ms. Sheppard, engineering studies are do to begin this summer, and, if all goes well, a bid package could be ready January 2004.
"The project will take about four months to complete," Ms. Sheppard said, "So if we can get a bid package out by April, we might expect to begin in July."
West Amwell may consider bonding for the balance of the project should additional resources become unavailable, officials said.

