EAST BRUNSWICK — Plans for a new water tower in the township have been put on hold.
Township Council members voted down a $6.1 million bond ordinance that would have help fund the construction of a water tower on the west side at the Nov. 9 meeting.
The water tower proposal has met with opposition from residents of the area around Henry Street who are opposed to its construction.
“We are planning to vote this down this evening to take out the water tower aspect of [the bond ordinance],” said Council President Michael Hughes before the vote was called.
The reason for removing the tower from the ordinance, according to the council president, is that more time is needed to inform residents about the proposed plans to build the water tower near Henry Street.
“We want to get all our due diligence in order and get you guys all the relevant documents and materials that you have asked for to make this a completely open and transparent process,” said Hughes to residents that attended the meeting.
Of the $6.1 million in the bond ordinance, $3.4 million would have gone to the construction of the tank as well as the foundation.
At the Oct. 12 Township Council meeting, Financial Director Lou Neely spoke about the need for a water tower west of the New Jersey Turnpike.
According to Neely, the tower would be 160 feet high and hold one million gallons. Residents of Henry Street voiced their opposition to the plans at that meeting.
At the Nov. 9 meeting, Jeffery Donnelly, a resident of Hill Crest Avenue, thanked Mayor David Stahl for taking the time to speak with residents about the proposed water tower and thanked the council for removing the water tower funding from the bond ordinance.
He also asked the council to conduct an independent study before deciding to move forward with the creation of a water tower.
“I ask for this council to review the need for the construction of the water tower near our homes and to require professional third- party studies showing this need prior to committing a large amount of taxpayer dollars and to ensure adequate notice that public meetings and comments will be encouraged throughout the process,” concluded Donnelly in his public comments.
Hughes responded, “The public will be involved in every step of the process, I can tell you that.”
Casting votes against the ordinance allocating funds for the water tower were Hughes and Councilmen Michael Spadafino and James Wendell.
Councilwomen Denise Contrino and Camille Clark were both absent from the meeting.
Contact Michael Nunes at [email protected].