ENGINEERING DIVISION MONTHLY REPORT
MAY 2024

​Charles Carbone, P.E., Supervising Engineering Aide

 

BELMONT DRIVE

A residential concern regarding a retaining wall was reviewed by Engineering and Department of Public Works staff.  Due to heavy rains and settlement, a loose laid retaining wall was reviewed regarding the potential concerns.  Both offices are evaluating what work, if any, is potentially proposed at the site.

BUBBLING SPRINGS PARK

The future sand volleyball court plan was updated to accommodate potential changes of the court.  The project, intended for in-house construction, looks to rehabilitate the existing grass court to sand.  Potential projects and additional field work was reviewed and performed, respectively, as needed.

BURNT MEADOW ROAD

A field meeting was attended with Passaic County Engineering Department staff regarding the status of a county-owned drainage culvert that has failed.  The County indicated a potential project would be considered and evaluated in the near future and coordinated with the Township.

bus shelter – UNION VALLEY ROAD

As part of the ongoing work to replace the bus shelter at Union Valley Road near Marshall Hill Road intersection, the Administrator was contacted regarding the development of an agreement and municipal vehicle for recording an easement on a private property for a bus shelter.  The Township Attorney was consulted for the project.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FY2023

As part of the Passaic County Department of Planning and Economic Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) FY2023 project, a site visit was coordinated with an architect to review the Bubbling Springs Restroom Facilities for potential upgrade as part of the CDBG FY2023 proposed project to improve the facility.  The project intends to provide barrier-free restrooms at the community recreational facility.

HIGH CREST DRIVE

Technical assistance was provided to the Health Department in determining municipal stormwater infrastructure and the extents to the drainage under the Township’s jurisdiction and potential illicit connections.  This ongoing matter has been discussed with the inquiring property owner(s) regarding the stormwater drainage outfall.

LOT DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW

Eleven (11) initial, single-family, residential lot development plan was reviewed for compliance with Section 110-4 of the Township Code and any applicable Board resolutions.  No as-built / final plans were reviewed, inspected and processed as needed.  All lot development plan review results are entered into the “Spatial Data Logic” system.  The results are also posted for public consumption within the Engineering Division section of the Township’s website (www.westmilford.org) under the Site Plan Tracker.

MOORE ROAD

Drainage improvements were constructed in the area of a drainage concern.  Full-time inspection was provided in coordination with the in-house construction by the Department of Public Works.

RYAN COURT

A drainage improvement was constructed at the cul-de-sac of Ryan Court.  Due to the recent volume of precipitation, the groundwater table is causing water to seep to the surface and flow across private property and onto the newly resurfaced roadway.  The improvements were limited to the Township property and the private property owners would be responsible for improvements beyond that work.

TOWNSHIP ANNEX PROJECT / RIDGE ROAD BUILDING

Correspondence, meetings and project specific items were discussed with Township officials, the contractor and the design architect in order to move the project forward.  Other maintenance items were highlighted and discussed with Township officials for future repair.

WESTBROOK ROAD

A drainage improvement project was completed after recommencing after winter operations.  The underdrain provision was installed in-house by the DPW with technical assistance from the Engineering Division.  Past investigations identified the location as one with excessive groundwater seepage that could result in icing conditions during the winter season.  After repeat investigations, this condition was confirmed and the work began in the fall though postponed during the winter season.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Technical assistance, regarding lot development plans, storm drainage issues, active construction projects, flood zones, right-of-way issues, etc. were provided to concerned residents on 61 occasions.  Field inspections, photographs, reports and/or follow up were required for 6 of these issues.
  • Technical assistance was provided, for various issues, to other departments on 55 occasions.
  • File research, map copies and/or information was provided to professionals on 9 occasions.
  • Assistance was provided to builders, contractors and utilities on 4 occasions.
  • A site meeting was held with a NJDEP official, PVWC representatives and Township staff to discuss a concern.
  • Properties were reviewed regarding a residential inquiry of Township owned lot(s).
  • A meeting was attended to discuss a municipal outdoor athletic field and potential future improvements.
  • A follow up inspection was performed for restoration work within a Township roadway.
  • Rain inspections were performed during heavy rain events at various locations to record and identify potential improvements, if any.
  • Engineering Division observation reports, travel logs and other supplemental reporting information was provided to Administration, as required.
  • A Joint Environmental Remediation Committee meeting was attended.
  • Engineering staff continued Paving Inspector Certification courses as time permitted.
  • 4 OPRA requests were responded to.
  • 1 Board of Adjustment applications were reviewed.
  • 5 weekly reports for Administration were prepared.
  • A webinar “Stormwater Management Design Review Course” sessions 2, 3 and 4 were attended by Engineering staff.
  • 2 temporary outdoor permits were reviewed.

 

CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

CLINTON ROAD – SECTION 5

Plan design continued for the project utilizing notes, files and recorded past information and recorded from a walk-through inspection performed in April on Clinton Road, between Passaic County culvert #177 and Stephens Road, as part of the design process for this NJDOT FY2023 Municipal Aid grant resurfacing project. Existing conditions were documented and potential future work was recorded for design of the project.  The construction plans are under design.  This resurfacing project is partially funded by a $462,340 State Aid roadway grant.

2024 TOWNSHIP CRACK SEAL PROGRAM

As part of the 2024 Township Crack Seal Program, Township-owned roads throughout the municipality were reviewed and inspected for a potential crack seal program.  As part of municipal road maintenance, roads were evaluated and the program is under design.  Studies show that sealing pavement cracks can extend the life of the surface course pavement by as much as five years.

MAPLE ROAD

Drainage improvements were laid out in the field to identify potential conflicts for future in-house construction.  Plan design continued for the project utilizing notes, files and recorded past information and recorded from a walk-through inspection performed in April.  Existing conditions were documented and potential future work was recorded for design of the project.  This resurfacing project is partially funded by a $477,040 State Aid roadway grant.

ROAD ASSESSMENT PROGRAM – HANOVER, ALPINE, ET AL

The Governing Body previously approved, by resolution, a contract award for the final design and contract document completion to the consulting Township Engineer for the Hanover, Alpine, Princeton, Lyons and Beverly Road Improvement Project as per their provided proposal.  Follow-up discussions were held with the design engineers and inquiring residents regarding the project.  Revisions are still underway for the project and once complete another review will be performed.  The proposed project intends to improve, through special assessment charged to the potentially benefiting property owners, Hanover Road, Alpine Court, Princeton Road (portion), Lyons Road (portion), and Beverly Court.  These dirt/gravel roads were accepted by ordinance in the summer of 2019.  A special assessment ordinance was approved by the Governing Body in April 2022 at a Town Council meeting to award the funding for this project.  Field work was completed through the winter of 2022-2023 and design began as time permitted in 2023.  A preliminary/conceptual design, as originally proposed during its initial evaluation, was provided to the consulting Township Engineer in September of 2023 for review.  The review yielded potential environmental concerns and as a result was discussed and further reviewed through November of 2023.

STOWAWAY ROAD BRIDGE – SUPERSTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT

As part of the ongoing project to assist the Stowaway Park association by way of an assessment project, the superstructure was replaced by the Contractor and the final punch list items were reviewed.  The final paving was inspected and the guide rail installation was completed.  As part of an assessment project, the work performed on this non-Township road will be paid back by the benefitting property owners to the Township as part of the assessment procedures.

2023 TOWNSHIP ROAD RESURFACING – PHASE 2

As part of the 2023 Township Road Resurfacing – Phase 2 project, the plan design process continued for Appletree Lane and Lake Shore Drive (between Fanwood Court and Longhouse Drive, approximately 1.2 miles).  As part of the design, maintenance repair items and other minor improvements will be provided to the DPW completion prior to resurfacing.

2024 TOWNSHIP GUIDE RAIL PROGRAM

As part of the 2024 Township Guide Rail Program, sites throughout the Township requiring replacement guide rail were evaluated.   Areas of potential need were evaluated after if funds allow.  The guide rail program intends to replaced failed or damaged guide rail and provide guide rail at warranted locations if funding allows.  This year’s program intends to utilize former funding vehicles and recent allocations in order to provide a more robust program.

2024 TOWNSHIP ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM

As part of preparatory work for the resurfacing program, concrete curb on roads intended to be resurfaced was evaluated to identify areas in need of replacement.  The primary function of curb is drainage, but dilapidated and heaved curb no longer at a point of useful life is reviewed and documented for potential replacement.  Roads proposed for improvement are determined through the analysis of existing road conditions and the Pavement Management Program.  In addition, other improvements, such as site development and bridge replacement, are considered in evaluating and determining a viable program.  Preliminary material quantities were provided to the DPW to identify needs.  Field work will begin once the funding is secured for the program.  The program is anticipated to be bifurcated between local roads utilizing cooperative purchasing programs and mains roads utilizing public bid procedures.

UNION VALLEY ROAD, GREENWOOD LAKE TURNPIKE, LAKESIDE ROAD, & STAINSBY ROAD – TRAFFIC SIGNAL

Site work for the construction of the intersection improvements at the Union Valley Road, Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Lakeside Road and Stainsby Road intersection began on May 13th.  Work includes curb and sidewalk construction along with other incidental items for the future traffic signals.  A Passaic County Road opening permit was prepared and submitted to the County Road Department. The permit was processed and construction of the project began on May 13, 2024 with the site work for the proposed curbing and sidewalk. The design Engineer met on site to discuss contractor concerns at the northeast corner of the intersection. Based on the field meeting a revised plan for the northeast corner was prepared. The revised plan removed the handicap ramps and the crosswalk on Lakeside Road.  In-house inspections were performed for the consultant-designed plans throughout construction, at a nearly full-time basis, in order to coordinate the items with the contractor and design engineer. Material availability will dictate when the signals can be installed and the lights energized to complete the project.  The project intends to make intersection improvements at the subject intersection, including a proposed traffic signal.