Council introduces bond ordinance for roadwork
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

SPOTSWOOD - Roadwork for Madie and Wyoming avenues is being planned, as the borough tries to get to roads most in need of repair.

During its Monday night meeting, the Borough Council introduced a bond ordinance that provides the funding mechanism for work on the roads. Mayor Barry Zagnit said the town will do the Wyoming Road in phases because the $1.4 million cost is steep.

The work on Wyoming would likely include roadway reconstruction, paving, drainage, curbing and replacement of undersized water mains, he said.

Madie Avenue would also receive, at the least, reconstruction, paving and curbing, according to the ordinance.

Zagnit said the council will likely adopt the ordinance at a special meeting in July, then authorize the engineering work.

He said the town hopes to bid the first phase for Wyoming, as well as the Madie Avenue work, in August. The town is looking for more grant money to help with the projects.

The ordinance is somewhat different for Spotswood because it tries to make the funding process more streamlined and efficient.

Zagnit said the borough always needs funding in place to finance road projects. However, this ordinance is different from previous ones, in that it lists many streets and "allowable activities," such as reconstruction, paving, sidewalks, stormwater repairs, land acquisition and replacing of water lines. Though the ordinance lists over 20 streets, the town currently is only funding Madie and Wyoming.

"The ordinance is meant to be used for many years to come," he said. "As the governing body needs to fund road projects, they can simply apply money into that ordinance."

By including all the roads and work in one ordinance, the borough should find it easier in the future, he said.

For example, if the town finds out bids for the Madie Avenue work came in lower than expected, it can take the surplus and apply it to work on Wyoming Avenue, he said.

"It gives us flexibility," he said. "It will hopefully prevent a project from stalling."

Council President Curtis Stollen said by using the encompassing bond ordinance, the borough will not need to adopt another ordinance to use the leftover funds on another road. That prevents the expense of going back to the bond counsel. It also helps the borough avoid any delays that may result in a loss of aid. Often aid is given with time restrictions.

In the past, the borough has needed extensions regarding grant money, he said.

"Now, as the money becomes available, we are ready to act on it and use it," he said.