ENGINEERING DIVISION MONTHLY REPORT
AUGUST 2023

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

 

BRADRICK LANE STREAM CLEANING

Archived files for the creation of the original subdivision were provided to the consultant Township Engineer for review and comment.  The gathering of historical data intends to aid in identifying potential improvements, if any, to alleviate residential drainage concerns.  Records indicate the low lying area utilized an existing ditch for drainage purposes that is overwhelmed during severe weather events.

bus shelter & BUS STOP

NJ Transit was consulted regarding procedures to replace a former bus shelter location on Union Valley Road near Dunkin’ and Lakeland Bank.  Additionally, NJ Transit was consulted regarding a request for a new bus stop on Marshall Hill Road.  Both areas will be reviewed and responses provided to NJ Transit when time permits between ongoing construction projects.

lake shore drive

As part of a request from Administration, a traffic analysis and sign review was performed at the Lake Shore Drive and Riverside Road intersection.  The Police Department performed a speed study of the area and the results are under review.  After an initial review, the average and 85th percentile for vehicular speed is at the existing posted speed limit.

LOT DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW

Two (2) initial, single-family, residential lot development plan was reviewed for compliance with Section 110-4 of the Township Code and any applicable Board resolutions.  Three (3) 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.  Meetings, requested by a developer, were attended to assist of requirements prior to Engineering review.

TOWNSHIP ANNEX PROJECT / RIDGE ROAD BUILDING

Technical assistance was provided to the Contractor regarding the renovation project.  The Contractor has been coordinating work efforts with other municipal staff as needed.  Various ongoing items were discussed with the Contractor and other municipal staff in order to address required change orders.  The initial proposal was not approved by the Township and a revised proposal is anticipated for early September.  Once the proposal is received for a possible second change order, a resolution will be provided to the Governing Body for their consideration.  The renovation project intends to convert the former Library building to municipal office space.

VILLAGE ON RIDGE – PHASE ONE

As part of a request for municipal review to consider ownership of the development roadways, an inspection was performed to identify areas of required improvement prior to consideration.  A list, including potential restoration options, were provided to the Township Engineer for evaluation and comment to determine how to potentially move forward.

WARWICK TURNPIKE

Technical assistance was provided for constructed drainage improvements on Warwick Turnpike during in-house construction.  The high water table in an area of ledge rock causes groundwater to seep through the roadway during the winter months and results in an icing concern.  The area will be monitored for potential additional future improvements.

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 88 occasions.  Field inspections, photographs, reports and/or follow up were required for 9 of these issues.
  • Technical assistance was provided, for various issues, to other departments on 52 occasions.
  • File research, map copies and/or information was provided to professionals on 5 occasion.
  • Assistance was provided to builders, contractors and utilities on 4 occasions.
  • 3 Right of Way Entry Permit Applications were received, processed, and returned to the Clerk’s office.
  • 9 OPRA requests were responded to.
  • One Administrator meeting was attended.
  • Soil Conservation District was contacted regarding soil grading activities for two ongoing projects.
  • Rain inspections were performed during heavy rain events at various locations to record and identify potential improvements, if any.
  • A meeting was attended regarding the use of municipal software
  • 1 Planning Board application was reviewed.
  • 2 Board of Adjustment applications were reviewed.
  • One Joint Environmental Remediation Committee meeting was attended.
  • Two outdoor permit applications were reviewed and forwarded to the Recreation Department for their review.

 

CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

GERMANTOWN ROAD – SECTION 1

The bid opening for this NJDOT project is scheduled for September 1st and consideration of contract award, by the Governing Body, is anticipated for the September meeting.   In-house drainage improvements and preparatory work will continue until completion, and includes trimming of road shoulder brush and replacement of a failing stormwater drainage pipe and infrastructure.  This resurfacing project is partially funded by a $332,000 State Aid roadway grant.

ROAD ASSESSMENT PROGRAM – HANOVER, ALPINE, ET AL

The Hanover, Alpine, Princeton, Lyons and Beverly Road Improvement Project design continued as time allowed.  A small portion of the project documents remain for completion prior to submission to the Township Engineer for review.  The Township Engineer was preliminarily consulted regarding the completion of the final aspects of the project and is anticipated to discuss the project in September.  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.

2023 township GUIDE RAIL program

The Governing Body approved a contract, by resolution, to replace guide rail throughout various Township roads.  Field meetings were attended to identify and discuss proposed replacement of the guide rail.  Once the Contractor provides estimates, the work will be reviewed and sections approved for replacement in order to begin the work.  This work is completed utilizing the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council.

2023 TOWNSHIP ROAD RESURFACING

The proposed concrete curb slated for replacement was marked out and confirmed with the Contractor.  The locations are based on needs of construction and preparatory work.  The curb intended to be replaced is a result of impending resurfacing work, drainage improvements or similar needs for replacement.  The primary function of road curbing is to attenuate drainage towards stormwater drainage infrastructure.  Concrete curb intended to be replaced was approved by the Governing Body, by resolution, as a construction contract through the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council.  Notifications to property owners were provided to inform impacted property owners of the tentative start date.  The roads intended to be resurfaced through the 2023 Township Road Resurfacing– Phase One project were preliminary reviewed and follow up discussions were held with DPW staff to identify their status of maintenance.  Once time allows, the roads will be walked through and minor maintenance items required to be completed prior to resurfacing operations will be provided to the DPW as needed.  Final material quantity estimates will be provided to the Contractor as needed.  The Phase One program intends to resurface the following 3.6-miles of Township roads, or portions thereof: Cahill Cross Road (between 865’ west of Richmond Road and Ridge Road (North)), Edgar Drive, Schofield Road (between Maple Road and Hancock Drive), Grandview Lane, Hillside Lane, Orbit Road, Valley View Lane, Clermont Road, Daretown Road, Dover Road, Elberon Road, Ormond Road, Crawford Street, Weedon Drive, Yorkshire Avenue, Bracken Road, North Glenwood Road, Sweetbriar Road, Algonquian Way, Burlington Drive, Evanstan Avenue East, Mohican Trail, Newton Drive, Teo Terrace, Torne Mountain Road, Truro Road, Truro Road South, Stanley Street, Fox Court, Raven Court and Ryan Court.  The Department of Public Works was provided the list of roads previously in order to begin maintenance of the roadways when weather and time allows.  The field work to begin plan preparation of the 2023 Township Road Resurfacing – Phase Two project (Appletree Lane and Lake Shore Drive, between Fanwood Court and Longhouse Drive; approximately 1.21 miles) is anticipated to begin in the fall for bidding procedures to occur next year and proposed resurfacing in early 2024.

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

As part of the ongoing work to move forward with the proposed traffic signal project at the Union Valley Road, Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Lakeside Road and Stainsby Road intersection,  the consultant traffic engineer revised the plan as a result of the Teams meeting held in July. Engineering staff reviewed the revisions and made some minor changes to the plan. A revised plan was received and forwarded to the County Engineering Department for their approval of the revisions.