Committee Meeting Highlights: Sewer Repairs, New Trucks to be Purchased

The Barnegat Township Committee gave final approval Monday night to a $200,000 amended bond ordinance that will go to repairs to the sanitary sewer system, mainly in the Settlers Landing section of the township.

The repair work will take place at the following locations: Georgetown and Yoke Court, Georgetown and Deck Street, Deck Street and Jameshollow Drive, Deck Street and Schooner Avenue, Georgetown and Silversmith Court, Barnegat Boulevard South and Bayside Avenues.

The locations were determined by videotapes of the sewer system and consultations with Birdsall Engineering regarding the need and scope of necessary repairs, according to David Breeden, township administrator.

The work will require the services of an outside contractor requiring the township to bid out the work, according to Breeden.

The bond ordinance will not increase the debt of the water and sewer utility, Breeden added.

In a related matter, Breeden said in an e-mail that the township will be moving forward with the sewer pump station on Hillside Avenue. A total of $360,000 remains in the capital account, which should cover the cost of the project, according to Breeden. Once the project is completed, the Township will utilize a NJ Department of Transportation grant to pave the entire length of the road.

Also at Monday’s meeting:

• The committee introduced a general capital improvements ordinance to reappropriate $120,000. Funds would include $30,000 for two recycling trucks, $30,000 for improvement to the township building and $60,000 for the continuation of the safe route to school program. The recycling trucks are being purchased used from Stafford Township and include a third vehicle at no cost for parts, according to Breeden.

• Resident Marianne Clemente questioned the committee’s decision to enroll committee members into the state’s healthcare insurance program, saying she wanted to see documentation of time sheets. “It’s illegal for a part-timer to be on the state healthcare plan,” she said. Committee members maintained that they put in full-time hours when appearances and various other meetings are taken into consideration. “Any perk that you can get you’re entitled to,” said resident Linda Kropf. 

• Jennifer and Charles Bennett of Taylor Lane, who have repeatedly asked for a drainage system for their frequently flooded dirt road, were told that Taylor will not be paved. “My road looks like the Mississippi River," Charles Bennett told the committee. "Every time it rains the ditches get deeper and deeper," said Jennifer Bennett. Cost estimates to pave the road were between $150,000 and $300,000, according to Breeden. “The costs were prohibitive,” he said.