COURT HOUSE – Action by the Middle Township Committee will provide long-term improvements for both sewer utility and capital for the township.
According to a release, the committee approved a pair of ordinances to borrow money for sewer improvements, police equipment, park upgrades, and information technology enhancements.
“These ordinances will allow the township to provide necessary items and upgrades to departments that directly affect taxpayers,” stated Mayor Timothy C. Donohue. “Delivering solutions for efficiently run systems and equipment will save the township taxpayers money in the long-run.”
Funds approved for the sewer utility ordinance will include video sewer evaluations and associated enhancements, pump station improvements including mechanical improvements, and the acquisition and installation of flow tracking software and the associated components.
Capital funds will provide various additions and improvements to the township, including the purchase of equipment for the police department, such as tactical vests and fingerprinting machine; township-wide HVAC; information technology enhancements for central servers, electronic signage, and back-up storage software; repair work for roadways and drainage; and park improvements to the Avalon Manor Fishing Pier, Rio Grande Park and Bike Path North.
“There comes a time when certain investments must be made in order to keep our township running smoothly and this is one of those times,” stated Committee member Michael J. Clark. “While the capital figure seems high, we do have debt coming off of our balance sheet to provide for equalization. These long-term projects will enable the taxpayers to continue to reap the benefits of a sound fiscal planning.”
The sewer utility bond will borrow $2.5 million with payments made over 15 years; the capital bond borrowed $2.19 million with payment made over the next 14 years.
Both measures were introduced at a public meeting in May and voted on at the June 17 meeting; they’ll formally take effect after a standard 20-day wait period.
