BRADLEY BEACH — The Borough Council passed a series of resolutions authorizing the borough’s engineering firm, CME Associates, to take the first steps of four projects throughout Bradley Beach, in addition to voting down a resolution that would have begun improvements to Main Street.
Award resolutions for engineering services for upcoming improvement projects to the recreation center, Sylvan Lake, the vacant pump house on Ocean Avenue, the promenade and Main Street had been tabled since the council’s Nov. 7 meeting.
But at the most recent meeting on Dec. 11, the council authorized four of five proposals initiating the first steps of improvements to the recreation center, Sylvan Lake, the vacant pump house and the promenade.
MAIN STREET PROPOSAL VOTED DOWN
The council ultimately voted down a resolution that would have authorized an award of proposal for engineering services to CME Associates for phase one of Main Street improvements, with Councilman Al Gubitosi citing the need for “a better definition of scope” for the project.
Earlier this year, the borough was awarded a grant from the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives for “Community Funded Projects” for $1.4 million for improvements to Main Street.
In response to the award, a committee, made up of Mayor Larry Fox, Councilman John Weber and several other residents, was established to discuss how the secured funds would be used to enhance Bradley’s vibrant Main Street.
If passed, the resolution would have authorized the borough to go forward with the design phase of the project, which according to Borough Engineer Ben Matlack would have included the design preparation of the plans, bid specifications and coordination with both state and federal agencies.
Councilman Gubitosi inquired about the possibility of moving utilities currently erected on Main Street underground, which Matlack said would cost roughly $1 million per block. According to Mayor Fox, due to the amount of the grant secured, the committee proposed optimizing Main Street’s pavers, the uniformity of both the lights and disposable garbage containers.
Before the council voted down the resolution, Councilman Gubitosi said to Matlack, “I think it’s very important that we have a very clear vision of what we want to do with Main Street before we start changing the lamp posts. So all I’m suggesting is that we would all be better served… if we gave you a little time to help us totally prepare a strategic vision of Main Street.”
FIRST PHASES OF PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS OKAYED
The Borough Council subsequently passed four resolutions authorizing an award of proposal to CME Associates for improvements to the Recreation Center, Sylvan Lake, the promenade and the vacant pump house on Ocean Avenue. The resolutions authorized CME Associates to begin the initial phases on some of the borough’s premier locations, utilizing millions in secured grant funds.
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