ENGINEERING DIVISION MONTHLY REPORT
MARCH 2022
 

Charles Carbone, P.E., Supervising Engineering Aide

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FY2021

This Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development program, administered by the Passaic County Planning Department, provides for improvements that benefit low to moderate income citizens.  This program has been utilized by the Township for public improvement projects within the qualifying blocks or benefiting recipients as determined by the US census.  A.D.A. (Americans with Disabilities Act) improvements serve all citizens and are exempt from the low-mod block designation.  A draft resolution for professional architectural services was prepared for consideration at the April 6th Governing Body meeting to award a contract for the proposed CDBG FY2021 project of a barrier free A.D.A. ramp for access to the Township Building #2 (former Library).

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FY2022

The CDBG FY2022 project application was prepared and submitted electronically prior to the March 4th deadline.  The intended project as part of the application is for barrier-free access and parking at the Bubbling Springs Lower Pond Pavilion.

LOT DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW

Five (5) initial, single-family, residential lot development plans were reviewed for compliance with Section 110-4 of the Township Code and any applicable Board resolutions.  One (1) as-built / final plan was 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.

2022 Passaic County OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND

In coordination with the Director of Community Services & Recreation, the 2022 grant application was submitted prior to the March 18th submission deadline.  Supplemental documents, including resolutions, maps, estimates and plans were prepared as part of the submittal package.  The Passaic County Open Space, Farmland, & Historic Preservation Trust Fund allows municipalities and non-profit corporations to submit applications for open space land acquisition, park development projects or historic preservation projects and has been utilized by the Township successfully in the past.  This year’s grant application includes equipment and improved A.D.A. parking for the athletic fields at the Bubbling Springs Park.

2022 PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Road Rating lists, bifurcated between main roads and local roads, were updated to represent the new road rating data.  The Pavement Management Program determines the resurfacing of Township roads through an analysis of multiple criteria for a comprehensive review of the Township’s pavement infrastructure.  The program has been utilized successfully since 2002.

ROAD ASSESSMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY – HIGHVIEW DRIVE

Non-binding ballots were provided to the potentially benefiting property owners in January to determine the community sentiment for a road assessment feasibility study of Highview Drive.  The received ballots were reviewed and a report drafted as a preliminary evaluation of the sentiment for the community.  The report will be provided to the Township Administrator for consideration.

2022 TOWNSHIP ROAD RESURFACING

The roads included in the preliminary 2022 Township Road Resurfacing program were inspected for estimating of stormwater infrastructure materials.  Potential roads to be resurfaced were inspected during rain events when time allowed to identify stormwater runoff concerns as part of the prep work prior to resurfacing.  Potential drainage improvements, if any, will be coordinated with the Department of Public Works for future construction.

2021-2022 SNOW PLOWING SERVICES

Two Engineering Division staff members provided a total of 19.5 hours of inspection for the March 9th and 12th storms.  Residential snowplowing concerns were investigated with action taken when applicable.  A total of two storm event reports were generated and submitted to Administration.  One cost comparison report, indicating potential cost savings when utilizing only in-house services for a low-volume snow event, was submitted to Administration in early March.  Documentation for other storms and events was recorded when received by DPW staff.

STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN

Data to be included in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP) annual report was provided to the consultant prior to the Township’s submission of the 2021 report.  A resolution was prepared for professional services in coordination and submission of the 2021 annual report.  The Township is located within the ‘Tier A’ designation of the New Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) stormwater classification, the most regulated classification in the state.

WEST MILFORD TOWNSHIP TAX MAPS - ELECTRONIC

In the ongoing effort to update the West Milford Township Tax Maps from hard copy originals to electronic format, the State and County was contacted to confirm standards regulating the conversion process.  The State of New Jersey Department of Treasury Division of Taxation governs the regulations and standards of all tax maps throughout the state.  The conversion intends to expedite the revision process in order to update the former manual revision process by utilizing computer-aided software.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Technical assistance, regarding lot development plans, storm drainage issues, active construction projects, flood zones, right-of-way issues, etc. was provided to concerned residents on 43 occasions.  Field inspections, photographs, reports and/or follow up were required for 7 of these issues.
  • Technical assistance was provided, for various issues, to other departments on 41 occasions.
  • File research, map copies and/or information were provided to professionals on 12 occasions.
  • Assistance was provided to builders, contractors and utilities on 6 occasions.
  • The DPW – Engineering Drainage Project list was provided to the DPW for review
  • Two NJDEP Air Permits (GP-005A) were coordinated and processed for two municipal diesel generators
  • 14 properties were reviewed for Township foreclosure proceedings
  • Historical records regarding Township properties and the extents of former use were researched at the request of the Township Attorney
  • A GIS map was produced indicating potential cannabis businesses
  • One (1) minor soil permit application was received.  Due to the proposed work, other municipal offices were contacted for input
  •  “Adopt a Storm Drain” reference materials were outlined for the upcoming Beautification Committee campaign
  • Proposed amendments to Township Code §110-4 was updated and revised to include the former “Site Plan Checklist” utilized in the past.  Reviewing comments from other departments were sought for input prior to submission to the Township Engineer for review.
  • A Joint Environmental Remediation Committee meeting was attended.
  • One Board of Adjustment application was reviewed
  • Ongoing stormwater drainage concerns were inspected, as weather allowed, on 2 Township streets
  • 5 OPRA requests were responded to.
  • 1 Right of Way Entry Permit Application was received, processed, and returned to the Clerk’s office.
  • A safety committee meeting was attended.
  • An Americans with Disabilities Act meeting was attended.
  • Two cyber security webinars were attended.

 

CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

CLINTON road – section 3

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) State Aid grant close out documentation was submitted to the NJDOT Local Aid Office.  Upon approval, the remaining portion of the grant funding will be released to the Township.  The Clinton Road – Section 3 project provided for the resurfacing of Clinton Road between Passaic County bridges #175 and #177.  This 0.8-mile project was partially funded by a $215,000 State Aid roadway grant.

CLINTON road – section 4

Preliminary inspections and in-house prep work began for Clinton Road between the Passaic County bridge #175 and the 2020 paving seam. Field walk-throughs and plan design is anticipated to be completed by the end of Spring.  This 0.9-mile project is being partially funded by a $284,000 State Aid roadway grant.

ROAD ASSESSMENT PROGRAM – HANOVER, ALPINE, ET AL

The drafting and design of the proposed road assessment project continued as time allows.  The draft special assessment ordinance was reviewed to confirm the potential benefitting property owners aligns with the proposed project limits.  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), Florence Road (portion) and Beverly Court.  These dirt/gravel roads were accepted by ordinance in the summer of 2019.

2021 TOWNSHIP (LOCAL) ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM

A majority of punch list work was completed by the Contractor.  The remaining items will be completed when more favorable weather returns.  The 4.4-mile program utilized the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council for construction.

2021 TOWNSHIP (MAIN) ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM

Resident concerns as a result of the completed resurfacing were inspected as reported and added to the punch list work to be completed by the Contractor prior to project close out.  The Contractor was contacted regarding a potential schedule to complete the punch list items.  Utility companies were contacted regarding the relocation of utility poles in conflict with road resurfacing improvements.  The 2021 Township (Main) Road Resurfacing Program utilized open, fair bidding procedures as opposed to the use of the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council for the 2.0-mile project.

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

Three proposals were received and reviewed for evaluation and professional engineering services required for the potential construction of a traffic signal at the Union Valley Road, Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Lakeside Road & Stainsby Road intersection.  A recommendation and draft resolution was prepared and provided for Governing Body consideration at the April 6th meeting.