BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
North Brunswick has agreed to amend its interlocal agreement with the Board of Education from February 2004 regarding money allotted for the cleanup of the North Brunswick Township High School.
The township is now granting the board full access to $11 million allocated for the remediation of the high school. The board approved this recommendation at its meeting on Tuesday.
“The township and the Board of Education [BOE] need to find a way to assure there is continued money available to cover the legitimate cost [the contractors] are entitled to. We are confident none of that money will be needed to be guaranteed to the contractors. This extends additional guarantees and authority to the [BOE],” Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said.
Only a little over $6 million has been used so far.
“This frees up the rest of the $11 million immediately. The [BOE] doesn’t feel it needs more money than that. In the worst-case scenario, there will be $6.3 million total including the remainder of the bond, but this now authorizes them to get the whole 11 to clear the delay claims,” Womack said.
The problem began when some of the subcontractors threatened to stop working, and actually did, because they wanted to be guaranteed payment for the delay claims as a result of the soil remediation. High levels of arsenic, zinc, lead and copper and contaminated groundwater were found at the high school during the first phase of the $29 million renovation and construction plan in July 2003.
“The [BOE] only has authority to raise money through referendums, and the next time would be in September. By then, the contractors would have walked off and we would lose the state aid granted,” Womack said. “The alternative is that the project dies and we’re left with a hole in the ground.”
The township will provide the funds through general obligation bonds or notes made available pursuant to the bond ordinance. The funds will be held by the township in a separate escrow account for the school district, according to the agreement.
Both the Board of Education and the mayor are pleased with the adjustment.
“We are glad we’re able to have this worked out. The town is 100 percent behind the Board of Education in compliance with this project,” said Womack.
“The township has really stepped up to acknowledge the taxpayers and the students,” said Robert Rimmer, superintendent of schools.
“No. 1 on the agenda is the children of this town. We’re all taxpayers here and it comes out of our pocket no matter what, but we have to remember the kids come first,” said Gail DiPane, Board of Education president.
The issue will be up for public discussion at a June 20 special Township Council meeting.
“We want … the public to have full awareness of this, but there is urgency to take some action,” Womack said.