Allentown council holds off on seeking bids for water tower project

ALLENTOWN – The Borough Council has declined to pass a resolution that would have authorized the Roberts Engineering Group to advertise for bids for a water tower improvement project.

Allentown’s council members took the action during a recent meeting.

According to the resolution before the council, the borough “received a letter authorizing the municipality to advertise the water tower plant improvement project in accordance with the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT) requirements for funding.”

However, in a vote to authorize the Roberts Engineering Group to advertise and go out to bid for the project, all six council members voted “no” and the resolution did not pass.

The resolution was defeated by council President Thomas Fritts, Councilwoman Angela Anthony, Councilman John A. Elder III, Councilman Robert Strovinsky, Councilman Rob Schmitt and Councilman Michael Drennan.

Asked to explain why the council members voted “no,” Fritts said, “The governing body wanted to to look at the length of financing terms and wondered if 20 years could be extended. The goal here (was to) potentially reduce the debt payment, reducing the impact on the taxpayer.

“We also wanted to have a few additional questions answered in regard to the most immediate infrastructure repairs such as water mains. (We were) just doing our due diligence and thought it was worth another look,” he said.