Longport Happy Face water tower.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – The Board of Commissioners Wednesday, Feb. 15 awarded contracts to complete several public works projects.
The board awarded a $219,500 contract to low-bidder Walters Marine Construction, Inc. to replace the deteriorating bulkhead at 36th Avenue, next to Lamberti’s ongoing restaurant construction project.
The project includes replacing the bulkhead at a higher elevation required by FEMA. The project is designed to stand on its own if Lamberti does not replace the adjacent bulkhead in Margate, engineer Ed Dennis Jr. said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the borough’s permit to do the work and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is slated to approve its permit by March 15.
The board also awarded a $25,949 contract to Calvi Electric Company of Atlantic City to install an electric vehicle charging station at the rear of Borough Hall. The charging station will be sited where electrical connection is available. The charging station will be available to the public to use for a fee. The borough plans to use ChargePoint to collect fees at the charging station kiosk. The borough will receive a portion of the fees charged that can be used toward maintaining the kiosk.
Despite receiving two grants totaling $15,000 to reduce the municipality’s costs, Commissioner Jim Leeds expressed concerns about the safety of EV charging stations and the cost to the municipality. The resolution passed 2-1, with Leeds voting no.
Officials said an ordinance will be required to set the charging station rates.
The board approved a $52,830 contract for Municipal Maintenance Company of Cinnaminson to install a new pump at the 33rd Avenue pump station.
Remington & Vernick Engineers was awarded a professional services contract to engineer repairs to the tennis, basketball and pickleball courts at the recreation complex. Dennis said the borough will be ready to go out to bid for the work and award a contract at the next meeting.
Remington & Vernick was also awarded a $16,000 contract for engineering services to upgrade the holding cell at the Longport Police Department.
The company also received a $7,000 contract to design a new surface for the Longport Volunteer Fire Department firehouse floor.
Dennis said all of the work will be completed by the start of the summer season.
In other business, the board approved participation in a LEAP (Local Efficiency Achievement Program) challenge grant, which could provide up to $150,000 toward the cost of implementing a shared services agreement for fire and EMS emergency dispatch services.
The LEAP grants promote innovation and collaboration among local units of government in New Jersey. Atlantic County government is the lead agency in the grant application.
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