Lockwood 2020 Vision for Better Roads in Middle Township

One of the main concerns of residents I speak with, as I seek re-election to Township Committee, is the poor condition of many municipal roads. From 2012–2015, we did well stretching our capital funds to improve many streets, matching our funds with state grants and combining our efforts with other utility and infrastructure improvement projects. But we continue to fall behind. For too long we have been spending too much on projects that take too long, using out-of-town contractors and incurring expensive engineering fees.
My proposal is simple: Bring the ability to pave streets back to our Public Works Department.
As part of my 2020 Vision plan, I pledge to accomplish this goal by January 1, 2020. I have drafted a three-year program to restore road paving capabilities to our Public Works Department. This initiative is designed to complement larger roads and drainage projects. Bringing these smaller projects in-house will greatly increase our response time, while also reducing our costs. This initiative will save our residents unnecessary wear and tear on vehicles, improve safety and property values in our neighborhoods and present a positive image of Middle Township to our many out-of-town visitors.
Over a three-year period, this plan will bring the necessary equipment, personnel and capital funds on board to properly address such projects as the maintenance and reconstruction of side streets, intersections, municipal parking lots, missing sidewalks and bike paths. Presently we pay large out-of-town contractors, though no bid, adding on contracts to slowly address these types of projects. These are projects that can be addressed quicker in-house, and often without the added expense of engineering or the delay of additional public bidding.
Some of the equipment needed to do this work is already on hand. Some will need to be purchased under a capital improvement plan. The equipment costs should be recouped quickly through project savings we realize across the board. This plan will also provide our Public Works employees with opportunities to develop new skills, earn new civil services titles and reap the financial rewards that should come to employees who make themselves more valuable to the taxpayers.
Examples of past projects which went out to bid but could now be handled in-house include our parking lots at Town Hall and the Davies Complex, the bike path connector project, half street paving restorations and various sidewalk extensions.
You may have noticed that I said bring paving “back” to Public Works. For years, we maintained our own paving crew. It’s no coincidence that since that crew was cut from the budget several years ago, we have fallen behind on maintaining our streets.
With the proper equipment, staff and training, we can finally get caught up on these maintenance problems while reducing our overall costs.
To learn more about my 2020 Vision Plan (and to give your input), please join us on Facebook @ 2020 Vision for Middle Township or email lockwoodformiddle@comcast.net.
PAID FOR BY LOCKWOOD FOR COMMITTEE 2016 – 9 N. Boyd St., CMCH, NJ 08210