By Robert Holt
BRIDGEPORT — At their meeting on June 17, the Logan Township Council introduced an ordinance on its first reading that would appropriate $400,000 for improvements to various streets and roads in the community. Bonding would be authorized up to an aggregate sum of $350,000.
Administrator Lyman Barnes described it as the 2014 road program. “We’re about in the middle of a 15-year road program,” explained Barnes. “We’re doing touch-up work to make the roads last longer.” Engineer Annina Hogan added that a seal coat surface would be used on the roads for that maintenance.
Council introduced another ordinance on first reading that would upgrade and replace the Municipal Building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The sum of $550,000 would be appropriated, and bonding would be authorized up to $500,000.
“The cooling system is about 40 years old, and past the use of life,” explained Barnes. “We’ve had some leaks. We want to increase the efficiency and avoid a catastrophic event from occurring.”
Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor pointed out that he just wanted to be certain that Council would be acting in the best interests of the taxpayers in introducing the ordinance. “This has been in discussion for seven years,” assured Barnes.
Another ordinance that was introduced on its first reading would authorize an amendment to the police department rules and regulations. “This will revamp our regulations,” said Logan Township Chief James Schmidt. It has been recommended by the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police, and is already being used by many municipalities.”
Public hearings involving all three ordinances would take place on July 15.
In resolutions, the Council authorized payment of $169,626.09 to Bogey’s Trucking and Paving, Inc. for the road program of fiscal year 2013. Council also approved a change order that gave the community a reduction of $24,166.31 in costs for reconstruction of Beckett Road. “There were too many flaws in the asphalt,” Hogan clarified.
In Public Works, Superintendent Mike Riley reported that his department is continuing to check on potholes created by the winter weather. They have also been maintaining local storm drains, and removing dead trees from the soccer and baseball fields.
Riley touted the success of the community’s new automated yard waste program. “The system has been in effect for six weeks now, and it’s going great,” lauded Riley. “We’re getting done in six hours what used to take two days to complete with half the workers.”
In his Police report, Schmidt listed 2,094 calls for service to the area in May. Schmidt acknowledged a series of car break-ins and residential burglaries had taken place during the month, but noted that the department had made some arrests, while other cases were still active.
Schmidt added that some investigators had undergone advanced surveillance training in May. The FBI offered some of the courses.
And the Council also discussed Liberty Property’s plan for infrastructure improvements to Commodore Business Park. “There should be significant improvements by the time they are finished,” commented Barnes.
“Our professionals will review any permits and documents before any plans are finalized,” stated Councilmember Stephen Dougherty.
