Township briefs

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Open space reimbursed
   Committeeman Bob Wagner announced Tuesday the township recently received $343,978 from Green Acres for reimbursement of the Burshnic Shamro property purchase in 2006.
   According to Mr. Wagner, the total purchase price of the property was $800,000 and, aside from the recently received funds, the township has already received $225,000 from the Somerset County Open Space program. He said the total amount of money that will come from the Hillsborough Open Space Fund for the purchase is $231,000.
   In addition, Mr. Wagner said, the township may receive an additional few thousand dollars from Green Acres in administrative costs for the purchase.
   ”If we do, these monies will go back to the Hillsborough Open Space Fund,” he said.
PSE&G tower easements approved
   The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance to authorize two easement modifications for Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) to allow for the addition of new transmission monopoles at the corner of Norz Drive and River Road, and on New Centre Road near Orchard Drive.
   Currently, PSE&G runs two rows of high tension electric transmission towers, but additional electric poles are required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to provide improved service for residents.
   ”These easement modifications are needed,” Mayor Anthony Ferrera said.
   One of the modifications will cost $45,000, and the second will cost $44,300, all of which will be paid by PSE&G. The money will be placed in the township’s Open Space Trust Fund.
Township vacating right-of-way
   The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance to vacate a right of way along Montgomery Road, allowing it to become part of the Azimi property currently owned by the township.
   ”Green Acres required this to be eligible for reimbursement,” Mayor Anthony Ferrera said.
   Moving forward with the vacation of the right of way will allow the township to seek $200,000 in Green Acres funds, which will be transferred to the Open Space Trust Fund for future preservation projects.
Township taking Amsterdam easement
   The Township Committee unanimously introduced an ordinance to accept a sight triangle easement from Somerset County, which runs through Country Classics in the Millstone Valley.
   The piece of the road had initially been granted to the county under the assumption that the county would later assume jurisdiction of Amsterdam Drive, which did not happen.
   Because the road remained under the township’s jurisdiction, the easement must also be transferred to the township.
   Public hearing for the ordinance will be held Oct. 14.
Containers purchased
   The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to purchase five 30-yard containers for the Department of Public Works for use during the township’s annual clean up and disposal.
   The contract for the containers was awarded to Conshohocken Steel Products, Inc., of Pennsylvania, for an amount not to exceed $26,009.
   The funds for the purchase will come from the Clean Communities Grant.
Leaf collectors contract OK’d
   The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to award a contract to American Road Machinery, Inc., of Ohio, to purchase two 25-cubic yard leaf collectors.
   The contract is for an amount not to exceed $58,617.50.
   Bids for the leaf collectors were initially rejected in August because the offers were deficient. One bid from Old Dominion Brush Company was rejected because of material deviation, while bids from Loughberry Mfg. Corp and Cornell Equipment Co. were non-conforming.