BERKELEY – The town will be bonding $12.9 million for vehicles such as a fire truck and a number of other items required by staff.
A recent ordinance appropriates $12,930,000. That’s the estimate that all of the various purchases and projects will cost. The town is bonding, or borrowing, $12,283,500. The difference between the two figures is that state law says a town has to pay a percentage up front when bonding.
Towns usually bond every year, and then pay off the debt over the course of decades. As one bond is paid off, a new one takes its place. Therefore, a town gets millions of dollars of new equipment every year while only paying hundreds of thousands in payments and interest.
Some of the items in the most recent bond ordinance are $2.2 million for a garbage collection vehicle, a roll-off truck, a pickup truck with plow, robo-cans/containers, and shop equipment for the Division of Sanitation and Recycling.
There is also $800,000 for building improvements, furnishings, vehicles, radios, and equipment for the police department.
The Bayville Volunteer Fire Company will be receiving a ladder truck and accessories for about $2 million.
There will be $1.5 million spent at the Public Works Complex, which includes the recycling center, compost area, drainage, and a gun range. The Public Works Complex is across the street from the police department.
Road projects – which include engineering, drainage, and bulkheads – make up $5.5 million.
There was also $930,000 appropriated for various other costs, such as a roof for the police building, bathroom renovations, office furniture, ceiling tiles, lockers, a parks vehicle, lawn mowers, tools, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Toll Hike
In other news, the governing body officially opposed the latest toll hikes on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike.
“I don’t know anyone who has more money that the Turnpike Authority,” Mayor John Bacchione said.
“I don’t understand how you can have a toll hike without a public hearing,” Councilman Michael Signorile said. “It’s not democratic.”
