Township Votes to Spend Up To $250,000 For Emergency Repairs

On the advice of Township Engineer Edward Broberg, the Township Committee agreed at a special meeting Thursday night to spend up to $250,000 for emergency repair work caused by Hurricane Irene's dramatic weekend visit.  

Broberg's punchlist included serious problems at sites along Heyward Hills Drive, Brentwood Road, Deerfield Road, Chestnut Ridge Road, Catbird Alley, Timberdale Drive and South Beers Street.

Work would begin Friday morning at Heyward Hills Drive and probably South Beers Street, and may continue through the weekend, said Broberg.

"Based on the situation that we have...I think it would be very prudent to move forward as quickly as possible," he told Mayor Patrick Impreveduto, Deputy Mayor Serena DiMaso and Committeeman Rocco Pascuccui. They voted to approve to approve the emergency appropriations caused by the natural disaster. 

"We have to do it. No choice," said Pascucci, regarding the appropriation. 

Committeeman Larry Fink arrived at the meeting too late for the vote, and Committeeman Eric Hinds was hosting a long-scheduled cancer benefit in Long Branch. 

The three members of the governing body also awarded a contract to perform the work to Robert Mautone, who represents AMC Industries LLC, the firm currently doing the Bethany Road repaving work. 

The township plans to keep records to submit to the Federal Emergency Management Association for reimbursement, should funds become available. 

Here is a summary of some of the problems from the engineer's report, with an estimated cost. The balance of the money would be spent on road materials, dirt disposal and a $20,0000 contingency for unforeseen circumstances: 

Heyward Hills Dr/Chestnut Ridge Rd/Telegraph Hill Road: Apparently a blockage in a drainage line caused a collapse of a catch basin and curb on Heyward Hills Dr. near Merrie Mill Lane. Silt and debris need to be cleaned up. Total estimated cost: $18,750.

Brentwood Road: A complete road failure over a culvert. Remove and replace curbing, roadway and silt. Total estimated cost: $34,000. 

Deerfield Road: (upstream from Brentwood) A catch basin in the vicinity of a culvert crossing collapsed and will have to be repaired. Total estimated cost: $1,800.

49 Chestnut Ridge Road: A wash-out adjacent to a corrugated metal culvert that crosses the road. Pavement has settled in the road and behind the curbline. Total estimated cost: $1,800.

Catbird Alley: A large tree toppled across the creek and ripped up a small section of pavement and curb on Catbird Alley. Curbing will have to be replaced. Two other large trees fallen on the creek must be removed. Total estimated cost: $25,750.

Timberdale Drive: The end of a cul-de-sac collapsed. This will be a fairly large and expensive repair. Total estimated cost: $47,250.

South Beers Street: The pavement at a culvert crossing failed on both sides of the street and damaged the bulkhead curb and headwalls hat protected the road. A section of the road will be removed and new headwalls and/or sheet piling will be used to stabilize the area. Debris in front of the culvert needs to be removed. Total estimated cost: $38,000.

Chardonnay Drive: Flooding caused by a pipe that is too small and clogs too easily will have to be removed and replaced.