$60K cleared for asbestos removal

RENDERING OF the township's new emergency services building, under construction at Washington Avenue.

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Township Council approved a more than $60,000 change order on Dec. 5 for removal and disposal of asbestos from the old firehouse, which must be completed before demolition, said the township’s business administrator.

The change order was the 12th during construction of the township’s new Emergency Services Building, at at 656 Washington Ave. The dozen change orders have added $360,525.17 to the building’s cost.

The resolution notes the Emergency Services Building’s total cost following the 12th change order totaled $5,689,708.17. Its original estimated cost was $5,329,183.00.

Administrator Mark DiCarlo said change orders are included in resolutions, after resident Michael Ullman wondered whether the other 11 change orders were done by resolution.

Council vice president Stacey Feeney said the consulting architect, Robbie Conley, provided the other change orders previously, and she could find all but one when she searched for them.

The resolution notes, “There was a change order in the scope of work during this project which is detailed in a statement prepared by the architect and on file in the clerk’s office.”

We requested the change order statement but did not hear back by press time.