HOWELL – The Howell Township Council has adopted a bond ordinance that will fund capital improvements and a capital ordinance authorizing sewer improvements.
Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro, Councilman Bob Walsh, Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell and Councilwoman Pauline Smith took the action during a July 17 meeting at the municipal building. Mayor Theresa Berger was absent.
The bond ordinance appropriates $4.3 million and authorizes the issuance of $4.085 million in bonds and notes. The remaining costs will be covered by a $215,000 down payment from Howell.
The ordinance provides for the acquisition of a senior citizens passenger transport van, eight Ford Police Interceptor vehicles and computer equipment.
Police equipment acquisitions and improvements will also include mobile vehicle recorder replacements; in-car mobile laptop replacements; a WatchGuard Server update; and color printers. The funding will also cover the acquisition of public works equipment, including a heavy duty dump truck and a sign printer.
Improvements to municipal buildings will include window replacement, security enhancements and wall relocation in police offices; and engineering projects including, but not limited to the milling and overlay of various roads; and the New Jersey Department of Transportation Cranberry Road project, including partial reconstruction, widening and drainage installation along Cranberry Road.
The ordinance that provides for the sewer capital items authorized in the 2018 municipal budget was also unanimously adopted. The ordinance appropriates $550,000 and authorizes the issuance of $522,000 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the costs for the water-sewer utility improvements. Howell will make a $28,000 down payment toward the total appropriation.
Improvements authorized by the ordinance include the rehabilitation of the Woodburn pump station and the Thousand Oaks pump station, and the acquisition of sewer utility equipment, including generator replacement.
