By Amy Batista, Special Writer
The township announced it received a $400,000 grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for resurfacing White Pine Road during its committee meeting on Aug. 13.
Township Engineer Timothy Staszewski said Florence was “only one of 11 municipalities” in the state to receive such a grant.
”I think it was the largest allotment out of any of them,” he said.
Mayor Robert Higgins said, “It was in fact the largest one we have ever received.”
Township Clerk Linda Semus noted the DOT grant was the “only one (given) in Burlington County.”
The total amount applied for was $483,760, which included construction inspection and material testing, Mr. Staszewski said.
Mayor Higgins said White Pond Road connects Mansfield and Chesterfield and the school buses usually use it.
”How fast do we have to use the grant,” he asked.
Mr. Staszewski said the township typically has a fiscal year to use such a grant.
”So it’s leftover 2014 money to be used in the fiscal year 2015,” he said.
Mayor Higgins questioned if the project could be done next summer.
”Absolutely,” Mr. Staszewski said, adding that the township could go out to bid sometime during the winter.”We can delay it if there is a conflict with school buses,” he said.
Mayor Higgins said he would make the school district aware of the project. He also asked if the road would be widened.
”The scope of the project is to conduct a full-depth roadway reconstruction and widening to 22 feet in order to comply with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards,” Mr. Staszewski said on Monday. “The widening may require retaining walls and associated guide rail. The roadway will also be striped and signed, as appropriate.”
He noted that he anticipates the work to start in late June and last approximately 60 days.
”Tim, I would like to thank you on behalf of the committee for your effort in getting this grant for the township,” Mayor Higgins said.

