River Road Parking Lot Could Have More Spaces

The Montville Township Committee is still discussing how much work should be done to the parking lot at 86 River Road.

The parking lot is shared between the township and board of education, with the Montville Animal Shelter and the field the Montville Baseball and Softball Association (MBSA) plays on also at that location. Initially, the township committee sought to pave three sections of the lot for about $220,449, but Township Administrator Victor Canning said enough money was available from an outstanding capital ordinance to pave the entire lot for an additional $80,000.

The township has also received a commitment from the Montville Board of Education for money to help pay for the paving project.

At the Sept. 11 township committee meeting,the committee also discussed adding additional parking spaces to the lot.

"There are several areas where we can expand parking," Assistant Township Engineer Mark Mantyla said.

But those areas should be more clearly defined before the township moves forward with the paving project, Canning said. Additional costs involved should also be considered.

"If you're going to do this, you have the opportunity to really study this and do this right. You have the opportunity to add more parking there," he said.

MBSA President Scott Van Koppen suggested the township move forward with at least the paving of the lot and figure out the parking lot lines after.

"You could pave it now and add when you end up with patches," he said.

Van Koppen was concerned, as was Mayor Tim Braden, with pushing the paving project back and having the work completed in the spring.

"For us, that is a very difficult time," he said. "All of our activities are going on in the spring."

The township committee will continue to discuss the project further at the next meeting.