TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—An $875,000 bond ordinance introduced unanimously Oct. 3 provides for various local improvements including funding for the police, fire and public works departments, and improvements to the Pascack Road-Washington Avenue intersection and town hall grounds.
Council voted 5-0 to introduce Ordinance 22-22, which appropriates nearly $1 million in bonds for local improvements. A public hearing is scheduled at the Nov. 9 council meeting.
The bond ordinance totals an estimated $875,000 for improvements, which includes $42,000 for down payments on the bonds or bond anticipation notes.
The bond ordinance breaks down the improvements into four overall parts, labeled A through D. The ordinance provides some specifics on what projects will be undertaken and products purchased, but lacks details and itemized breakdowns under the bond categories listed.
The first group of upgrades estimated at $298,200 ($284,000 in bonds) goes for the fire department for Scott packs with bottles and masks; a fingerprint system and other equipment for the police department; a backhoe and salt spreaders for the DPW (formerly the Department of Municipal Facilities); and recording equipment for use at public buildings and parks.
Under the improvement of municipally owned properties and facilities, $293,000 is appropriated ($279,000 in bonds) for the Pascack Road-Washington Avenue intersection upgrade, though the ordinance does not specify the intersection or amount of funds allocated.
“For your second question regarding (specific costs of) sections A-D of the Ordinance 22-22, I will respectfully refer you back to the Bond Ordinance that has a column for Appropriation and Estimated Cost,” emailed Township Administrator Mark DiCarlo on Oct. 13, after our print deadline.
Also included in local property upgrades are the installation of fencing and flagpoles at Township Hall, installation of signs and scoreboards at Memorial, Clark, and Gardner Fields, plus an upgrade to the police department’s dispatch center. No cost details about the projects were included.
Although a possible need for field lighting at Gardner was mentioned by a resident recently, Mayor Peter Calamari noted that that may be included in a future budget request or ordinance, which the council will ultimately decide on.
Moreover, the bond ordinance sets aside $195,000 ($186,200 in bonds) for new computer equipment for the police department and new portable radios for the fire department. It does not specify what types of equipment will be purchased.
In addition, the ordinance allots $88,800 ($83,800 in bonds) for improvement of stormwater drainage systems, including installation of drainage facilities, which includes all structures, road resurfacing, equipment site work and materials. It does not specify where such structures will be installed or how many are planned.
The ordinance lists the “average period of usefulness” for the bonds at 15.72 years.