HOWELL — Members of the Howell Police Department will no longer have to worry about a power outage shutting down operations at their headquarters on Old Tavern Road.
At a recent meeting, the Township Council passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Caterpillar Emergency Generator System.
Township Manager Jeff Mayfield said new generator system represents an upgrade for the building.
“The generator in place only backs up certain parts of the police department,” Mayfield said. “This new one will back up the entire police department when necessary.”
The new equipment will be purchased at a cost of $186,995 through the police department’s participation in the National Joint Powers Alliance, according to the resolution.
The appropriation will be a Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant. Mayfield said by the end of the process, there will not be any costs to the township.
He said the current generator system was identified as a weak spot following superstorm Sandy in October 2012.
“The new generator system will run the entire police department during a major power outage,” Mayfield said. “It will be able to function without any interruption.”
Foley Power Systems, an authorized generator dealer in Piscataway, will supply the new generator, according to the resolution.
In other business, the council passed a resolution authorizing the awarding of a contract for the 2015-16 curb and sidewalk program to Jads Construction Company, South River. The council accepted the company’s bid of $517,290. No additional information about the curb and sidewalk program was immediately available.