Council addresses Kingsbury pipe burst and construction concerns amidst ongoing renovations

The Trenton City Council held a combined meeting on April 15, 2025, addressing several pressing issues, including ongoing construction at Kingsbury and concerns regarding compliance with state regulations.

During the meeting, a council member acknowledged a recent incident involving a pipe burst at Kingsbury, which was promptly addressed by the city administration. The council member, along with Councilwoman William and Frisbee, has been part of an ad hoc committee working with Kingsbury's management for nearly two years. They emphasized the importance of patience from residents as extensive renovations are underway, affecting hundreds of units.

A significant topic of discussion was a resolution aimed at rectifying procedural issues related to project invoicing. The council member raised concerns about "bid splitting," a practice where larger projects are divided into smaller invoices to bypass bidding thresholds. This issue was highlighted in relation to a project totaling nearly $200,000, which was invoiced in smaller amounts under the $44,000 limit. The council member expressed the need for transparency and adherence to proper protocols, especially in light of a formal notice of violation issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding flood hazard permits.

The council is awaiting further updates from the administration on how they plan to address these compliance issues. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring the situation and ensuring that proper procedures are followed moving forward.