By Geoffrey Wertime, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP The Township Committee took action on two municipal improvement projects at its Monday meeting.
First, the committee voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance to provide $135,000 for renovations to the Senior Center on Municipal Drive and for drainage improvements on East Drive. That money would include $72,000 from a sub-grant of the Community Development Block Grant Funds for 2009.
The committee approved the use of those funds for the project at its Sept. 14 meeting, leaving $63,000 on the shoulders of the municipality.
If the ordinance passes after its public hearing, the township will bond for $128,250 after a required down payment of $6,750. The bulk of the funding an estimated $103,560 would go toward the drainage improvements, with $31,440 to be appropriated for the Senior Center.
Work on the center would include roof improvements, the installation of a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit; and exterior doors.
In other business, the Township Committee voted unanimously to put a $136,488 project for improvements to Northern Community Park out to bid after yet another discussion of the well mulled project.
Township Engineer Joseph Raday said the cost could potentially be greatly reduced by using the township’s Department of Public Works for much of the labor.
This would include the building of a gazebo and the removal of trees near a building and along a path that has been disturbed by roots.
The trees on the path would be replaced with others that tend to grow down instead of out.
The lights at the park need to be replaced and Mr. Raday said PSE&G estimated the cost for the fixtures, wiring and installation at $24,000.
The lights would be driven approximately four feet into the ground and stand 14 feet high.
The committee discussed the availability of Open Space funds to pay for the project, and Chief Financial Officer David Kocian quickly estimated the account would be between $150,000 and $200,000 by year’s end.
Committeeman Bruce Hill noted in the event the Open Space funds fall short this year, the township could use part of a low-interest loan it received that can go up to $600,000.
”The loan’s out there, we’re not in jeopardy,” said Committeeman Mark Roselli. “If we need to draw down the loan, we draw down the loan. But if we have enough money in Open Space, I say we go ahead… Let’s get this thing rolling.
”We’ve been talking about this thing for four or five years.”
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