Township Earmarks $2.2 Million for Roads

Matthew Hersh

While still recovering from the effects of a brutal winter, Princeton Township Committee unanimously introduced an ordinance that, if approved, would appropriate nearly $2.2 million, or nearly 60 percent of a capital bond for road repair projects throughout the Township.

The $3.7 million capital bond will largely address road reconstruction and improvement, but will also be used for other municipal expenses that can be paid for in the short term, but have long term usage, such as new computer telecommunication equipment, computer upgrades, and improvements and materials for various recreational areas, Township Administrator Jim Pascale said.

The "lion's share" of the bond will be used for Township roads, and include repairs and upgrades, specifically for Overbrook and Abernathy Drives, Magnolia Lane, Clearview Avenue, Tee-Ar Place, Dorann Avenue, Sycamore Road and Littlebrook Roads, Tyson Lane, and Arreton Road.

In addition to these anticipated upgrades, the Township is currently underway with a separate $1.3 million bid contract with the Bridgewater-based Pave-Rite, Inc. that provides for the repair of 14 Township streets. Roads addressed under the plan are: Bayard Lane (Township); Duffield Place; The Great Road from the Borough line to Winfield Road; Harrison Street from Terhune Road to Valley Road; and Mt. Lucas Road from North of Ewing Street to the Montgomery Township line.

Township Engineer Robert Kiser said projects involving Hunt Drive, Winfield Road, and the Princeton Township Municipal Complex parking lot have recently been completed. He added that contractors are currently working on completing improvements to Lambert Drive, Pardee Circle, and Lake and Knoll Drives.

From there, Mr. Kiser added, work will begin on Hun, Mt. Lucas, and Herrontown Roads, followed by Old Orchard Lane, Poor Farm Road, and Terhune Road from Mt. Lucas Road to Harrison Street.

Other Expenses

The ordinance also calls for monies to be appropriated for road repair projects along Snowden Lane, from Route 27 to Leabrook Lane, and Grover Avenue, from Franklin to Clearview Avenues.

Money will also go to the Township's Department of Public Works for a new dump truck and plow and other "incidental equipment," Mr. Pascale said. In addition to the truck, Public Works will also be authorized to use an estimated $319,000 for signs and traffic paint, and garage and safety equipment. Other major expenses include nearly $718,000 in sewer rehabilitation to eliminate the current system of inflow and infiltration, Mr. Pascale said.

"We think this is an investment [that] will pay for itself over time," Mr. Pascale said.

An estimated $94,407, will be used for recreational area improvements, including those for Smoyer Park Pond Dam, Grover Park retention walls, and the study and design plans for joint Public Works and recreation complex at River Road.

The Township Police Department will receive an estimated $163,450 for the acquisition of new equipment including new communication devices, radar units, bulletproof vests, and firearms.

A public hearing for the bond ordinance is schedule for Committee's June 28 meeting.