FREEHOLD – The Borough Council has awarded a $182,416 contract to a firm that will repair sidewalks in Freehold Borough. The project was selected by residents as one of several projects that will receive municipal funding.
On Sept. 17, council members awarded the contract to MNC Concrete, Waretown. The firm was determined to be lowest qualified bidder.
Other bids were received from Ascend Construction Management, $541,350; Seacoast Construction, $448,050; AJR Masonry LLC, $340,020; Diamond Construction, $337,320; S. Batata Construction Inc., $297,060; Abhzeen Design, $279,876; and A&A Curbing, Inc., $222,180.
The repair and construction of sidewalks was one of the projects selected by residents and property owners to receive municipal funding as part of the borough’s first participatory budgeting initiative in 2017. Residents and business owners had the opportunity to vote for projects they wanted municipal officials to undertake.
The sidewalk replacement program was proposed by Lynn Reich and Christine Gregory, who said municipal officials would identify sidewalks in need of repair. They cited safety concerns as a reason to perform the work.
The cost of a sidewalk repair will be divided between the borough and the affected homeowner, with the homeowner’s consent.
The other projects residents selected were the construction of a pedestrian bridge near the Lake Topanemus dam and the addition of street lights in the borough’s downtown area.
Municipal officials have said they hope participatory budgeting will directly involve residents in the budgeting and borough-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure the town’s capital plan reflects the priorities of residents and stakeholders.
As stated in a resolution, the intent of the participatory budgeting program is to allow residents to determine which projects will improve the quality of life in Freehold Borough.