South River Council plans series of municipal improvements

SOUTH RIVER–The Borough Council introduced two bond ordinances to provide funding for capital, sewer system and water utility improvements.

Borough Administrator Jack Layne Jr. said currently the pavement on Willett Avenue is failing. Willett Avenue needs to be repaved and minor drainage repairs need to be done.

One of the approved bond ordinances will fund capital improvements for Willett Avenue phase II, which includes all work and materials necessary, according to the council agenda.

Layne said Willet Avenue phase I included repaving from Kamm Avenue to a point beyond Essex Street. Willett Avenue phase II will be from phase I’s ending point to the railroad tracks.

The bond ordinance will also provide funding for sewer system improvements throughout the borough including all work and materials necessary, according to the council agenda.

Layne said the bond ordinance will authorize the borough to provide funding for the sewer main throughout the borough.

The total cost to fund the capital and sewer system improvements is $950,000. The borough is expected to receive a $475,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation and by approving the bond ordinance will authorize a $450,000 bond, according to the council agenda.

Layne said the borough will pay for the $25,000 down payment with the borough’s capital improvement fund.

The council introduced the bond ordinances to provide funding for capital and water utility improvements on June 25. Layne said the second and final reading for the two bond ordinances will be on July 16. These bond ordinances shall take effect 20 days after the first publication once they are adopted.

In other news, the council also introduced a bond ordinance to fund water utility improvements.

“The borough has an aging water and sewer infrastructure that needs to be upgraded,” Layne said.

The water mains throughout the borough need improvements, according to Layne.

The total cost to fund the water utility improvements is $200,000. By approving the bond ordinance it will authorize the borough to provide a $150,000 bond, according to the council agenda.

Layne said the borough will pay for the $50,000 down payment by using funds from the borough’s capital improvement fund.

For more information visit www.southrivernj.org/agendas/council/.

Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].