Bonds will help fix water system in Roosevelt boro
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

ROOSEVELT

ROOSEVELT - The Borough Council introduced one bond ordinance and passed another at its Oct. 22 meeting.

An ordinance providing for the Pine Drive storm sewer reconstruction had its introduction and first reading. The ordinance appropriates $175,000 for the work and authorizes the issuance of $166,250 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the cost.

The borough's chief financial officer, George Lang, said the ordinance would replace a storm drain that has collapsed on Pine Drive.

Councilwoman Arlene Stinson said that an 1,100- foot deteriorating pipe needs replacement, and she asked if there is another way to fund the cost. She said she had spoken to Borough Administrator William Schmeling, who was not at the meeting, about the possibility of approaching the New Jersey Infrastructure Trust Fund (NJITF) for funds.

Lang said Schmeling would pursue the NJITF funding and that NJITF could provide a funding mechanism at a lower rate of interest. He said the ordinance authorizes debt and the issuance of bonds and notes but that the council is not issuing the bonds and notes at this time.

Lang said the project still has to go out to bid. The introduction of the ordinance passed 4-0, with Stinson abstaining.

A bond ordinance amending a previous ordinance passed in June had its second reading and was adopted unanimously. The ordinance provided for improvements to the water plant and wastewater plant. The appropriation is for $154,000, with bonds and notes authorized for $146,000 and a useful life of 15 years.

According to the ordinance, the $13,000 allocation of the $154,000 authorized by the prior ordinance is insufficient, and the borough wants to increase the allocation by $10,000. The aggregate amount of $23,000 would not increase the aggregate appropriation or debt authorization, according to the ordinance.

The aggregate amount not to exceed $23,000 would be for interest on the obligations, the cost of issuing obligations, engineering costs, legal fees and other items permitted under statute, according to the ordinance.

During the public hearing, resident Bert Ellentuck asked whether the water and wastewater plant improvements are required by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or if the facilities are wearing out.

Mayor Beth Battel said the improvements are considered necessary for the aging systems.

Lang said the ordinance is reallocating some of the hard costs and soft costs from the previous ordinance.