RED BANK – The plans that will design an emergency back up well on Chestnut Street progresses amidst questions of the borough possibly changing its engineering firm in the coming year.
“We don’t know what things are going to be changing in the year to come here. I’m just saying, do we go into a contract with an engineering firm that we’re not sure that we’re going to stay with,” asked Councilwoman Cindy Burnham at the Nov 30 special council meeting where members voted on a resolution to allow the borough engineer, Christine Ballard, of T&M Associates, to design a back up well. In January, the council will have a Republican majority. Four of the six council seats will be held by Republicans come January. Presently, the Democrats hold the majority at four to two.
According to Ballard, the cost to create the plans is estimated at $82,000 and the cost for construction would be around one million dollars.
Also according to Ballard, it should take two of months to complete the designs as long as there isn’t a heavy snowfall that would delay surveying the area. Obtaining permits would take another three weeks.
The design specifications are due at the beginning of March in order receive funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT) to help pay for the construction of the well.
According to Ballard, time is of the essence to get the plans ready as soon as possible.
“The NJEIT offers principal forgiveness loans at 18.5 per cent. The rankings [for those loans] happen in January. The state had wanted us to get our design done before that ranking because then they have proof we’re moving forward and we go to the front of the line,” said Ballard.
“There’s only so much money allotted to the principal forgiveness… If you wait until March, when everyone is submitting at same time, the likelihood of getting the principal fogginess diminishes greatly. ”
During public comment, resident Frank Myer questioned the council if the reason this well was being build was to support further development in the borough.
“I assume this has something to do with the development that has gone on in Red Bank that’s in need of water,” said Myers.
Mayor Pasquale Menna responded by saying “ This well project is a result of DEP regulations that say you have to have a backup well. Ours in antiquated, we’re going to have to have it if we’re going to keep a water supply.”
According to Ballard, she should have been designing the well in October, but dispute on council concerning the cost of the project delayed the project.
“The council not agreeing,” said Ballard as the major reason for the delay.
“It seems like they are against the cost of the project.”
Ballard estimates that the construction of the well would cost around one million dollars.
Burnham was the only council member to vote against the resolution to have Ballard design the well.
“I feel like we should be able to negotiate, and because T&M is not willing to negotiate on the price I’m going to vote no,” said Burnham.
The resolution to approve the creation of designs for the well was slated to be voted on at the Nov 23 council meeting. The vote was postponed the due to Councilwoman Linda Schwabenbauer asking other council members for more time to go over the resolution.
Contact Michael Nunes at mnunes@gmnews.com.