ENGINEERING DIVISION MONTHLY REPORT
JULY 2023

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

 

 

BRADRICK LANE STREAM CLEANING

Archived files for the creation of the original subdivision were obtained from the municipal record repository.  Applicable records were reviewed and compiled to be 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.

BUBBLING SPRINGS PARK – ADA PARKING PROJECT

One bid was received on July 28th for a potential ADA Parking Project at the Bubbling Springs Park.  The proposed project intends to incorporate accessible parking spaces and a pad for future accessible bleachers near the guard station in the outfields / foul territory of the ball fields.  Two parking spaces are proposed along with a path to the bleacher area.  The bid was reviewed and the Township will determine if the bid will be accepted or rejected at this time.

bus shelter – union valley road

As part of the revitalization of an older project, the replacement of a former bus shelter on Union Valley Road near Dunkin’ and Lakeland Bank was reviewed.  The last correspondence and status of the project was obtained from New Jersey Transit and copies of easements on impacted private property owners were provided to the land owner.  Updated location information and data will be provided to NJ Transit and correlated with the private property owner prior to obtaining agreements and concurring resolutions with Passaic County and others as part of the process to install a new bus shelter.  The former shelter was damaged in a vehicle accident but a portion of the concrete pad for the shelter remains with a bench as an active bus stop.

CRAWFORD STREET

Technical assistance was provided to the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) for the replacement of failing stormwater infrastructure.  Major restoration work, including concrete curb replacement, will be included in a future replacement program while minor restoration work, such as top soil and seed, was performed by DPW staff.  Crawford Street is intended to be resurfaced as part of the 2023 Township Road Resurfacing Program.

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 was consulted regarding vehicle traffic concerns and a traffic speed study was performed by the Police Department.  The Police Department will provide the data once available.

LOT DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW

One (1) 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.

NJDOT LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FUND

Governing Body resolutions of support were provided to the NJDOT Local Aid Office in Mt. Arlington in order to begin the agreement process with the State.  Once received, the grant provides for contract award within a two-year period prior to its expiration.  A resolution accepting the grant is intended to be provided to the Governing Body in August for their consideration.

NJDOT MUNICIPAL AID FY2024

West Milford qualifies for the submission of two New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Municipal Aid grant applications as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 grant application cycle.  This year’s applications for Municipal Aid included submissions for Longhouse Drive and Clinton Road – Section 6 between Stephens Road and the Wildcat Preserve.  The Governing Body resolutions were uploaded into Project Management and Reporting System (P.M.R.S.) as part of the final application step.  The status of the grant applications is typically not known until the fall / winter.

STORMWATER REGULATIONS & COMPLIANCE

The Governing Body awarded in June, by resolution, a professional services agreement to Stormwater Compliance Solutions, LLC in order to begin a phased approach towards the Township’s compliance with the enhanced NJDEP stormwater regulations.  The New Jersey Highlands Council was contacted regarding a potential opportunity to request funds in order to comply with the enhanced regulations.  The Governing Body approved in June, by resolution, a formal funding request of $85,250 to the NJ Highlands Council in order for the Township to continue the phased approach to maintain compliance of the regulations.  A NJ Highlands Council meeting was attended to support the Township’s request of funding.  The NJ Highlands Council approved the request and grant approval notification is anticipated in August.

STOWAWAY ROAD BRIDGE

As part of the superstructure replacement project for the private assessment project, a bid tabulation was prepared for the bids received on June 30th.  The Tax Assessor was contacted regarding the project to determine the potentially impacted properties. Once known, updated notices will be provided to impacted property owners indicating the costs incurred for this 100% assessment project for the non-township road and structure.

STREET INDEX

The Township Street Index, a log of all roads within the Township with associated information, was updated and revised to reflect current conditions.  The Street Index is updated as needed or annually dependent upon the number of revisions and updates required.

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.  Once a proposal is received for a possible second change order, a resolution will be provided to the Governing Body for their consideration. Field work was performed to identify potential project requirements for other exterior work proposed on site.  Once a plan is obtained then other projects can be evaluated and designed.  The renovation project intends to convert the former Library building to municipal office space.

TOWNSHIP-WIDE GARAGE SALE

A draft base map was prepared utilizing GIS software as part of a new project to provide a graphical representation of garage sale locations throughout the Township.  GIS data layers were merged and compiled to begin the draft design phase.  Once the registration period is open, properties will be added and maps created to be provided in an electronic format for public consumption.

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 44 occasions.  Field inspections, photographs, reports and/or follow up were required for 3 of these issues.
  • Technical assistance was provided, for various issues, to other departments on 60 occasions.
  • File research, map copies and/or information was provided to professionals on 4 occasions.
  • Assistance was provided to builders, contractors and utilities on 3 occasions.
  • 6 OPRA requests were responded to.
  • Volume estimates were provided to the DPW for material accumulated as a result past road maintenance operations.
  • Information and quotes were sought for updating software and supplies utilized by the Engineering Division.
  • Two Administrator meetings were attended.
  • Soil Conservation District was contacted regarding soil grading activities for three ongoing projects.
  • Rain inspections were performed during heavy rain events at various locations to record and identify potential improvements, if any.
  • Passaic County Engineering Department was contacted regarding county right-of-ways on two occasions.
  • One film permit was reviewed.
  • Ten Township street maps were provided to the Clerk’s Office as part of a previous request.  The custom double-sided maps contain a map of the Township and data regarding the Township.
  • 1 Planning Board application was reviewed.
  • 1 Board of Adjustment application was reviewed.
  • 1 Americans with Disabilities committee meeting was attended.
  • A webinar “We must respect each other in local government” was attended.
  • A webinar “Stormwater, an introduction” was attended.
  • A webinar Workplace discrimination and harassment” was attended.
  • 1 Site Plan as built pictures were reviewed for Planning Board resolution compliance.
  • 1 Department Head meeting was attended.

 

CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

GERMANTOWN ROAD – SECTION 1

Plans were provided and reviewed by the consultant Township Engineer for the resurfacing of Germantown Road between Macopin Road and 0.8-miles south.  The draft plans, specifications and other NJDOT required documentation was submitted to the NJDOT P.M.R.S. system for review prior to project advertising.  In-house drainage improvements and preparatory work began and is anticipated to be completed in August, including trimming of road shoulder brush and replacement of a failing stormwater drainage pipe.  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 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 crack seal program

The Contractor for the 2023 Township Crack Seal Program utilizing the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council began the program on July 7th and completed work on July 12th.  This year’s program provided crack sealant for over 119,000 linear feet of cracks on Township roads.  Full-time inspection was provided during the project.  Since instituting the program in 2002, the surface pavement cracks have been sealed, including this year, on more than 75.2 of Township roads.  Studies show that sealing pavement cracks can extend the surface life of the surface course pavement by as much as five years.

2023 township GUIDE RAIL program

A resolution was prepared for Governing Body consideration for the replacement and installation of guide rail along various municipal roads throughout the Township.  Guide rail is proposed to be replaced or installed on Bearfort Road, Canistear Road, Clinton Road, Germantown Road and Morsetown Road as part of the 2023 program.  A list of locations was provided to the Contractor awarded a construction contract utilizing the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council.

2023 TOWNSHIP ROAD RESURFACING

A list of concrete curb replacement locations was prepared and modified as needed 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 that is no longer viable was quantified and estimated as part of a June resolution approved by the Governing Body as a construction contract through the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council.  Notifications to property owners will be provided in early August to inform impacted property owners of a tentative start date.  Preliminary field work, including preconstruction photographs and inspections during inclement weather, continued for the proposed roads included in the 2023 resurfacing program.  Estimated quantities were prepared and provided to the Contractor for certain roads in an effort to expedite resurfacing prior to the end of summer.  The following roads were reviewed in the field to confirm existing conditions and estimated quantities and preparatory work lists were prepared: Cahill Cross Road (between 865’ west of Richmond Road and Ridge Road (North)), Edgar Drive and Schofield Road (between Maple Road and Hancock Drive).  The remaining roads intended to be resurfaced under the resurfacing program will be reviewed once other projects are completed but in a timely manner to complete the program during the 2023 construction season.  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.  Preparatory Work Lists were provided to the DPW for various roads of the program to begin work / outstanding maintenance that may not be completed to date.

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, a Teams meeting was held with the Passaic County Engineer, County Assistant Engineer, County Consultant Traffic Engineer, the Township consultant traffic engineer and the Township Engineering Division Engineering staff  to review concerns of the preliminary design and concerns and comments from the County Traffic Engineer. The consultant traffic engineer intends to continue the design based upon the Township Attorney’s response and comments from the Teams meeting.