Borough awards $200K contract for road work

BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

‘Ask and ye shall receive” is a Biblical axiom that now applies to Spotswood.

After receiving no bids following an initial advertisement, the borough has found a contractor to perform much-needed work on two small but busy side streets.

F&P Contractors Inc. has been awarded a $195,325 contract to perform work on Vliet Street and Sadowski Place. The Borough Council awarded the contract Monday night during its regular meeting.

The borough received several bids this time around for the work, which involves two roads that parents use to get to and from Appleby School.

Spotswood went out to bid in mid-2004 but received no submissions, leading officials to consider options to make the award more attractive. For instance, the town considered packaging it with work planned for Michael Road. Officials had hoped the work would be done before school began in September 2004.

“It’s not a big job. We could only conclude the contractors must have bigger jobs they’re going after,” Mayor Barry Zagnit said at the time.

Work on Vliet Street, home to Appleby School, will include the installation of curbs and sidewalks, in addition to repaving. Sadowski Place, a small side street off Vliet, will get sidewalks, repaving, a new water main system and a fire hydrant for flushing. There will also be drainage improvements.

The borough had estimated the work would cost a total of $250,000, and it has a state grant for $127,000 to use toward the work. Councilman Curtis Stollen said the town may choose to use the extra money to widen the side of Vliet Street that is opposite Appleby School and put in sidewalks.

The town will have both projects done at once to save money and to help ensure the quality of the work.

Vliet is particularly important because students walk it to get to and from the Appleby School, and because parents park on it. The narrow street can barely hold all the cars. Zagnit had said the borough has been trying to address the situation since the 1980s when he was police chief.

Spotswood is still seeking bids for improvements to Marlboro and Michael roads, as well as for curbs and sidewalks on the east side of Summerhill Road.

In other news, U.S. Congressman Rush Holt will hold a town meeting at borough hall, Summerhill Road, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Residents who have any questions for Holt, or just wish to speak with him, are invited to attend, Zagnit noted.