MANCHESTER – The Township Council awarded a contract for a water main extension for its elevated water tank, which is expected to cost about $1.5 million.
The contract was awarded during a recent meeting. The $1.5 million water main extension project is separate from the water tank itself.
Mayor Kenneth Palmer praised the step forward and said the new water tower “is something we’ve been collectively working on for probably three years – getting it out to bid, getting a bid. It is really a promising day.”
The mayor thanked the township’s water engineers “for getting that to happen.” He also noted the waiving of interest on late fees. He said he, two councilman and “some of the administrative folks in town got together to vet the issues to put together the resolutions.”
Palmer said the finishing touches were being put on a rough draft of the township’s 2020 budget. “We are updating it to reflect our COVID-19 responses.”
“Obviously, some things in town are going to change. We were planning to do quite a lot of paving in town I don’t know if we are going to get to that,” the mayor told the council.
“There are some other things that we will probably have to modify because of where we are at and being behind the eight-ball to a certain extent. So, we are making some adjustments and I hope to get that to you in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
Other approved payments include sanitizing township buildings and new signage at the township’s EMS building on Colonial Drive.
In other news, Township Council members approved an ordinance on second reading concerning openings and excavation during its most recent meeting which was held online due to the continued coronavirus restrictions.
Council President Samuel Fusaro explained the ordinance “basically forbids opening or excavation on streets that have been paved within a period of three years.”
The ordinance was unanimously approved by the governing body.
Council members also approved using storm recovery reserve for expenditures related to COVID-19 emergency which Township Clerk Sabina Martin said was “established so we can keep track of all our COVID expenditures up to this point and forward.”
Also passed was an arrangement between the township’s recreation department and Manchester Board of Education “which is for uses of their buses for our recreation programs and we are establishing certain fees for spring and summer recreation programs,” Martin said.
A state contract was approved for the purchase of a 2020 Ford Explorer utility Interceptor and permit management software which Martin said was to “expand on software programs within the Bureau of Inspection.”
Also approved was a contract agreement with Motorola Solutions for emergency services communication for maintenance and repair work.
The Council also approved a resolution calling for Gov. Phil Murphy to fill a vacancy on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners with an Ocean County resident. The resolution also opposes the toll hikes for the Parkway and Turnpike.
Councilman Robert Hudak reminded residents to fill out their Census 2020 forms during his council report. “It is important for everyone to be counted so Ocean County and Manchester get their fair share of funding.”
“I also want to thank our first responders and health professionals – all those who are on the front line during this pandemic. Your efforts are appreciated,” Hudak said.
Fusaro thanked all the township employees, first responders and volunteers, “they are really doing a great job for the community and we couldn’t do without them.”
The Council President reminded residents to observe the governor’s stay at home guidelines. “Just go out when it is really only necessary. Keep our numbers down and our residents safe.”
Scam Warning
Councilwoman Joan Brush warned residents of random phone calls from people claiming to be from a utility company and asking them for personal information. “Last week I received two phone calls from a female both times saying she was from the electric company and she needed a few questions answered to get my rates reduced. When I asked what company she was with both times she hung up on me.”
“If you get any phone calls like that make sure you don’t give them any information over the phone because it’s just a scam,” Brush added.
