Committee Mulling River Road Parking Lot Paving

The and are working collaboratively on a project to pave at least some of the parking lot at 86 River Road.

The parking lot is shared between both entities, with the board of education offices taking up one side of the property and several borough-owned buildings taking another. The address is also home to the and a municipal field complex.

Township Administrator Victor Canning told the township committee on July 10 that he had met with representatives of the board of education and that the district is willing to contribute money toward the paving of portions of the parking lot. But Canning said he believes the township has money available in an outstanding capital ordinance to pave the entire lot.

"I think we can re-purpose funding that is no longer needed for its original intent and pave this whole complex," he said.

The township had originally considered breaking the paving down into three sections of the lot. In March, former Township Engineer Tony Barile estimated the total cost of paving the three sections to be about $220,449. About $80,000 in additional funding would be needed to pave the entire lot.

"I can re-purpose that funding to cover the $80,000 to get the whole lot done," Canning said.

But Committeeman Jim Sandham was hesitant to agree with the paving of the whole lot after the committee had been discussing only paving the three sections, which include the area leased by the board of education.

"[We discussed] how much we wanted to pave and it wasn't the whole lot and I think the funding is a separate issue," he said.

Sandham said he felt the committee should stick with what was originally discussed and not alter the project, keeping money in the capital fund.

"We should just leave that money there for other projects, not expand the scope of our decision," he said.

Committeewoman Deborah Nielson was concerned that the area of the parking lot near the animal shelter be included in the project. Mayor Tim Braden said the animal shelter lot was a fourth section discussed for possible paving.

Canning said he will continue to review the project and present options to the committee at a future meeting.