FREEHOLD – The Borough Council has awarded a $725,337 contract for repairs and improvements to two Freehold Borough streets.
On Aug. 7, council members passed a resolution awarding the contract to S. Batata Construction, Sayreville, for repairs and improvements to Hudson Street and to Bennett Street.
According to the resolution, municipal officials have determined the two streets are in need of repairs and improvements.
S. Batata Construction was awarded the contract on the recommendation of Borough Engineer William Wentzien after the company was deemed to be the lowest responsible bidder.
Other bids were received from Lancha Construction ($735,492), Seacoast Construction ($744,500), the Earle Companies ($767,513) and Lucas Construction Group ($828,828).
Funds for the contract are available in the borough’s capital accounts, according to the resolution.
In other business, council members passed a resolution authorizing an amendment to the borough’s agreement with the Freehold Borough Patrolman’s Benevolent Association (PBA) Local 159 regarding compensation for municipal officers who perform police-related activities during off-duty hours, which was followed by a resolution establishing fees and rates for special duty assignments for officers.
According to the resolution establishing the fees and rates, police officers who engage in or perform police related services or activities during their off-duty hours will receive $35 per hour in overtime compensation. This is equal to the amount of overtime compensation a Class 2 patrolman receives in the borough.
Additionally, special duty assignments for police officers for nonprofit organizations will be $40 per hour with a four-hour minimum and a $20 surcharge, $125 per game for school activities, such as sporting events and games, excluding football, and $200 per game for football games, along with a $20 administrative fee to the borough, according to the resolution.
The agreement between Freehold Borough and PBA Local 159 is effective from Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2017.
And, council members passed a resolution confirming the resignation of Andrew Jacobson as a member of the Shade Tree Commission, Bruce Larsen as a member of the Freehold Fire Department and Gunnar Larsen as a member of the Freehold Fire Department, and the appointment of Jamie Corbett as a member of the Shade Tree Commission and Stephen Russo as a member of the Freehold Fire Department.
Russo was appointed to Engine & Hose Company No. 1. Bruce Larsen and Gunnar Larsen resigned from Richardson Engine Co. No. 2.
Councilman Ron Griffiths, who serves as the council’s representative on the Shade Tree Commission, said Jacobson resigned from the commission to accept employment in China and Corbett was appointed to fill the vacancy.
