Council to review pacts for library, community center
By Bill Greenwood, Staff Writer
MONROE — The township is making progress on a new senior center and expansions to the library and community center.
Bids for construction of the library and community center expansions have been received, and Business Administrator Wayne Hamilton said he hopes contracts for both projects will be awarded at the Township Council’s Oct. 1 meeting. He said groundbreaking for both projects could occur before the end of the year.
In addition, Township Engineer Ernie Feist said design work on the new senior center could be finished by January with a possible bid date in spring 2008. He said construction on the project could begin in a year.
On Sept. 5, the council approved a $278,000 contract with Vincentsen-Thompson-Meade Inc., of Westfield, for construction management services for the new senior center. Mr. Feist said the company will be keeping an eye on all aspects of construction and making recommendations to the township regarding payment as the project progresses.
”They function as the eyes and ears of the township,” he said.
All three projects are being funded by a $20 million bond approved by the council in March 2006. The council has designated $7.5 million each for the new senior center and library expansion and $5 million for the community center expansion.
Plans for the community center will double the size of the existing 15,244-square-foot building and will include a gymnasium, weight room, exercise room and two meeting rooms.
The library expansion will double the existing 19,461-square-foot facility and add a drive-through window.
The senior center will house the township Office on Aging and Transportation Division. It will be built on the corner of Applegarth and Halsey Reed roads.
The projects require that the town meet the public bidding law, which means the projects will be given to companies who submit the lowest bid to get the work done.

