The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has followed through on a commitment to assist Millstone Township with improvements to Baird Road.
In May, the Township Committee authorized a shared services agreement with the county for the widening of Baird Road, the improvement and widening of county-owned culvert MS-70, and the construction of a separate bridge for pedestrian and equestrian traffic.
Millstone Township Mayor Fiore Masci said officials have been concerned with Baird Road and an existing bridge because of their narrowness. He thanked resident Pat Butch for helping to advance the planned improvements.
Masci said the project will increase accessibility to the Thomas Baird Homestead, 24 Baird Road, for students at the nearby Millstone Township Middle School on Dawson Court.
On July 25, the freeholders passed a resolution authorizing a shared services agreement between the county and Millstone Township for the Baird Road improvements.
The two parties determined a need exists to provide safer vehicular, school bus, pedestrian and equestrian traffic between the middle school, Wagner Farm Park and the Baird homestead, according to the resolution.
To meet the need, municipal officials have proposed constructing improvements on Baird Road for approximately 3,000 feet between Conover Road and Woodville Road (county Route 527).
Millstone Township will be the lead agency for the improvements, including engineering studies, plans, specifications, contract documents, permit applications and other details, according to the resolution.
According to the agreement, the county will be responsible for all of the costs associated with the engineering study, design and preparation of permit applications for culvert MS-70 for an amount not to exceed $133,000, with the remainder of the funding required for the engineering study, design and permitting being the responsibility of the township, estimated at $40,000.
Upon completion of the design phase, county and municipal representatives will prepare and enter into a separate agreement regarding the construction phase of the Baird Road improvements, according to the resolution.
The freeholders said they relied substantially on the recommendation of the county engineer regarding the project and were of the opinion the county should participate in the planned improvements.
No time frame for the project was provided in the freeholders’ resolution.