by Robert Holt
BRIDGEPORT — At their meeting on June 16, the Logan Township Council discussed upcoming expansion plans for the community’s sewer treatment plant. Disputes involving residential and industrial developers in Logan and Woolwich Township have held back the necessary expansion since 2000.
“Sewage treatment capacity has been a limiting factor for growth for years in Logan and Woolwich,” remarked Administrator Lyman Barnes, a key player in the talks. “Now with the Municipal Utilities Authority moving forward to build this expansion, sewer will no longer be a limiting factor for growth to occur.”
Barnes noted that the MUA, Summit Ventures, and Aqua New Jersey were the three parties to the expansion agreement. “They gave up their rights and interests for the first piece of this plant expansion to happen, so now the MUA can build the expansion and own all that capacity,” he explained.
MUA Solicitor Ken DiMuzio pointed out that amendments to the original developer agreement kept changing everything.
Barnes noted that companies wanting to expand their facilities could buy the capacity that they need. “It really is a great thing. It means jobs, it means ratables,” he said.
“Developers can move ahead with progress on 322.”
“It puts us in a strong position going forward,” commented Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor.
Elsewhere, Council introduced a bond ordinance on its first reading that would authorize issuing of bonds and bond anticipation notes in the aggregate amount of up to $270,000 for improvements to the town’s streets and roadways. A public hearing is scheduled for July 21.
Council also authorized bids to go out for Logan Township’s 2015 Road Program. The program may be split into two packages for bidding, one for improvements, and the other for micro surfacing.
Minor commended Engineer Annina Hogan for her efforts in putting together the community’s road program. “Our streets are really our blood,” Minor said. “I’m not complaining about it, but all of the traffic we will be receiving from our new businesses will put a strain on our roadways.”
The Council also approved a change order that would reduce the amount awarded to ThinkPavers for Logan Library recreation site improvements by $10,938.22.
Another resolution was adopted that would reduce the award for Municipal Building HVAC improvements to Gaudelli Bros. by $1,664.72.
Also, Council authorized a shared services agreement with Woodbury for construction official, electrical, plumbing, building, and fire sub-code/inspector services.
In updates, Councilmember Stephen Dougherty reported that New Jersey Transit is looking to have bus shelters installed in the area before the start of the next school year. Dougherty also attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Pureland East-West Shuttle.
The councilmember said early results looked good for the new shuttle. “It can be useful to our community,” Dougherty commented. “Should it be successful, it may continue to receive grant funding.”
The shuttle is being funded for its first three years by a $1.2 million grant from the Pascale Sykes Foundation.
In Public Works, Superintendent Mike Riley touted the success of a recent shredding day for the community, saying that about 70 people attended. Riley reported that his department was still doing improvements around the Municipal Building, and had added signage there.
Logan Township Police Chief James Schmidt listed 1,505 calls for service and 35 arrests for May in his report. Schmidt also noted that Officer Andrew Keleshian had recently completed training in drug recognition. Earlier in the evening Council had passed a resolution approving the promotion of Keleshian to Patrol Officer 3rd Class.
At the beginning of the meeting, Council awarded Shirley Schmick a proclamation for 25 years of service as a Logan crossing guard. “It’s been a very demanding job for 25 years,” Minor observed. “You’ve raised your children here, and I know you’ve been responsible for a lot of children’s safety here.”
