More Roof for Lazar Middle School, Hilldale Elementary

Due to low bids from potential contractors, the Montville board of education plans to complete the roof replacement projects at Hilldale elementary school and Robert R. Lazar middle school by September 1, 2010.

The board awarded unanimously voted at its meeting on July 13 to award the contract to Jottan Inc. construction company of Florence, New Jersey. According to school business administrator James Tevis, the low bids will allow the board to fully complete both projects.

"Originally, before the budget issues, the board had a master plan to do sections A, B and C, if you will, of the middle school roof," he said. "When we got into the bad budget, we made the decision to back off on, say, section C. Due to the low bid, we can now complete the project fully."

Jottan's bid came in at around $1.1 million dollars for both projects combined. According to Tevis, this number, which was lower than the board expected, means the project will finish about $4,000 under budget, allowing the board to proceed with the original construction plan in place.

"Because of the low bids, we're going to be able to do more with the money we've budgeted," he said. "We won't have much extra money, but we'll have enough to do more roof."

Jottan's bid was the lowest of 12 companies vying for the job.

The board of education had its proposed budget cut by $984,000 by the township committee earlier this summer.

School board President Dr Karen Cortellino credited Tevis with the idea to remove sections of the roof construction from the board's plan in light of budget issues.

"I commend him for having the foresight to remove sections with the expectation that they could someday be put back in," she said.

The board is expected to begin planning the construction project in the coming weeks. The next board of education meeting will be held at Montville Township high school on July 27 at 8 p.m.