Longport Happy Face water tower.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – The Board of Commissioner March 16 discussed the millions of dollars needed for short and long-term capital improvement projects that will require bond financing. The borough will soon introduce two bond ordinances to finance the cost of utility and general capital improvements, but held off moving forward on certain projects recommended by the engineer and Administrator A. Scott Porter.
Engineer Ed Dennis Jr. said the borough “whittled down” an extensive capital improvement list to cover immediate short-term needs, such as a road reconstruction project on Atlantic Avenue, from 22nd to 27th avenues that received $330,000 in state funding, and rehabilitation of the smiley-faced water tower. The funding received for the road project will not fund utility-related improvements, such as replacing lead pipes, so additional funding will be needed, Dennis said.
“It’s rightfully a priority for the borough. It’s a needed infrastructure upgrade and we are positioned to move forward with the discount from the grant,” he said.
A company has recommended some significant structural repairs that are needed for the water tower at a cost of about $700,000, Dennis said.
Mayor Nicholas Russo expressed concern about the sandblasting and painting containment system employed by the last contractor who worked on painting the water tower.
“I have no idea what the expense will be, but I want to make sure there’s enough money in this because I don’t want to go through what we went through last time with cars damaged and lawns ruined,” Russo said.
A $1.5 million bond will cover all the costs needed for the utility repairs, Porter said.
Competitive bidding could result in lower costs, Dennis said.
Other general capital projects discussed include reconstruction of Monmouth Avenue from 32nd Avenue to the Margate border, which will be partially funded with a $240,000 state grant; a drainage project on Winchester Avenue that will upgrade the existing pump station, which would be partially funded with a $1.1 million FEMA grant; reconstruction of the bulkhead along Amherst Avenue that is already funded; and work on the Public Works building, which is already partially funded.
Public Works requested the borough purchase a beach tractor to replace a 1994 model and a dump truck to replace a 1997 model. Total costs are about $235,000.
Longport Volunteer Fire Department Chief Levon “Lefty” Clayton talked about the need to replace the borough’s 1999 ladder truck, apparatus, Jaws of Life, and breathing apparatus. Total costs are about $1.4 million.
Clayton said parts for the truck’s repairs are becoming scarce and repairs are getting more costly.
“I put this request in so we can replace it when it hits the 25-year-old mark. I’m not just the fire chief, I’m a resident and taxpayer. I’m just trying to prevent some major expenses down the road,” he said.
Upgrading fire equipment could help borough homeowners get reduced rates on their fire insurance policies, Clayton said, and funding must be in place to order the fire truck, which could take up to 18 months to build.
Russo said funding for the water utility is a priority.
“People have to have water,” he said. “When we look at (the requests)…we’re are going to have to look at these figures and sell this.”
Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Lawler said the borough will carefully consider the requests for funding while considering the future status of the fire department.
Commissioner of Finance Jim Leeds said he is concerned about obtaining the manpower to provide adequate ambulance coverage, which Clayton said has become a nationwide problem, and a “serious county-wide problem.”
“We are discussing it, looking down the road, it’s going to change…but for fire suppression, we have crews,” Clayton said.
The Police Department is seeking $105,000 in funding to replace radios and cosmetic work and furnishings for the Police Department. The Public Works Department requested $30,000 for furnishings and equipment.
Porter would also like to see the borough replace some playground equipment at a cost of up to $400,000 and resurface the basketball tennis courts at a cost of about $500,000, Porter said.
“It’s a wish list. We’ll take a closer look and go from there,” Lawler said.
The ordinances covering selected projects will be introduced at an upcoming meeting.
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