EAST BRUNSWICK – The Township Council has introduced a 2008 capital budget that would fund about $3.2 million worth of improvements.
Council members appeared to support the administration’s proposal during a recent meeting. Among the items included in the plan are continued work on the community arts center being built at Heavenly Farms, the expansion of the township library, open space acquisition and numerous road improvements.
The budget includes about $1.2 million for various construction and road projects, including the reconstruction of Sullivan Way. That road project will be largely funded with a $245,000 state grant. Other improvements included are for the Heavenly Farms bike path, the town-wide pavement management program, and survey equipment.
The largest group of expenditures is facility improvements, including the library expansion. Other improvements include reconstruction of the police communications room for information services, final work on the community arts center, and refurbishment of a basketball court at the teen center.
Those projects are estimated to cost about $2.1 million, but the maximum amount to be borrowed by the township is $469,000. Much of the work, including $1 million for the community arts center project, is being reimbursed with grant funding from the county and state.
About $266,000 is included for the purchase of motorized vehicles for the parks department, as well as mold remediation, gas pump repairs and upgrades, and some other purchases for the public works department. The maximum amount to be borrowed for those is $221,000.
The capital budget also includes $16,000 for the purchase and installation of carpeting for the Daisy Recreation Center, and about $127,000 for the acquisition of open space property. Township Business Administrator James White said there are no specific purchases planned with the funding, but the money is being allocated in case the need arises for a small acquisition.
A public hearing on the capital budget is set for July 7.