Freeholder Actions: Board Awards Contracts for Bike Path, Library Revamp, Outfall Pipe

CREST HAVEN – County library patrons who use the main branch on Mechanic Street, Court House will be heartened to know renovation is on the way.
Freeholders awarded a $1.07-million contract Sept. 9 to TNT Construction Co., Inc. of Deptford for addition and alterations to the building. The firm’s bid was deemed lowest of three submitted Aug. 19.
The library’s front steps have been closed, due to deteriorated condition. Patrons must use side ramps to enter. Large white columns by its main entrance are in need of repair, and the roof leaks.
Linking Bike Path Passed
Freeholders also authorized a $412,311 resolution that will fund the Middle and Lower townships’ bike path project.
Both municipalities submitted an application under the 2013 program for regional bike path connection from Sally Marshall Crossing in Erma to Satt Boulevard, Rio Grande. The Open Space Board recommended March 11, this year to have freeholders approve the project. No objections were heard at a July 8 hearing.
The municipalities will have sole responsibility over development of the project, including permits, construction, operation and long-term maintenance.
Aid for Physick Estate Roof
The board also approved a resolution under Open Space provisions for preservation of historic properties for Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities, Inc., Cape May for $16,450 toward restoration of the roof the Emlen Physick Estate on Washington Street, Cape May. MAC originally requested $42,760 toward the project.
The board also:
* Approved a memorandum of understanding with New Jersey Institute of Technology Innovation Institute to establish a Strategic University Research Partnership to support and implement an unmanned aerial vehicle research and testing mission based at Cape May County Airport. Expiration of the agreement is in 24 months from its date. Dr. Steve Fenichel of Ocean City urged the board to enact an ordinance prohibiting use of drones for surveillance and other measures. Freeholder Will Morey told Fenichel he would review his proposed ordinance.
* Modified its acquisition agreement and ground lease with Delaware River and Bay Authority at the airport for the portion used by Pen-Turbo Aviation.
* Appointed Ellen Nicholson Byrne, an attorney, as a member of the Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees until Oct. 31, 2017. She is one of three voting members on that board.
* Appointed Carol Realer and Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt as members of the ADvisory Commission on the Status of Women. Their terms will expire Sept. 9, 2017.
* Designated the last week of September annually as “New Jersey Beer, Wine and Spirits Week” and the Wednesday of that week as “New Jersey Dine Out Day” in the county. The action is to “encourage the dual experience of consumption of New Jersey beer, wine and distilled spirits in New Jersey restaurants.”
* Accepted proposal of Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. for $127,354 for professional bridge engineering services for Corson’s Inlet Bridge (Strathmere) for substructure repairs. The firm is one in a pool of consultants used on county Bridge Commission bridges.
* Approved proposal of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for $181,459 for preparation of plans and contract documents for roadwork and infrastructure upgrades on Hornet Road at the county airport.
* Awarded contract in amount $1.3 million to Richard E. Pierson Construction Co. Inc. for pipe modification and repairs for Beach Avenue (CR 604) outfall pipe. Engineer Dale Foster has reported that the ductile iron pipe, corroded and covered by sand, will be replaced with a polymer pipe that will withstand surf conditions and not corrode.