The Township Council on Oct. 6 introduced Ordinance 25-22, authorizing funding for construction of a new Department of Public Works (DPW) facility, and voted to publish the ordinance and schedule a public hearing.

Council members voted in favor of the first-reading introduction and to set a public hearing; roll-call recorded affirmative votes from Councilman Cascio, Councilman Sears, Councilman Ullman, Councilwoman Velez and the Council President. The ordinance would appropriate funds and use capital balances and proceeds of obligations to finance the new DPW building.

Mayor Peter Calamari and Township Administrator Mark DeCarlo explained that construction requires a temporary location to store DPW vehicles and equipment during the build. Calamari said he signed an agreement with the Bethany Community Center to move the township’s polling place to that site for elections and described a separate, short-term lease under negotiation to use a parking area behind Bethany for DPW storage while the new building is constructed. Calamari said the proposed lease “has a term that coincides with the amount of time the construction will take on the new DPW facility” and that it “will not be the permanent location for DPW operations.”

Council discussion focused on two budget-and-timing questions: whether the council should reassign previously earmarked capital funds to cover unanticipated site-preparation costs (fencing, driveway work and access control), and whether those sums had been fully estimated. Administrator Mark DeCarlo told the council that some items — wiring for access control, cameras and site fencing — were not included in the construction bid because certain equipment can be procured through a state contract at a lower price. He said the township needs to encumber sufficient funds to clear the site for construction and requested council reconsider its earlier commitment so the township could certify funds and award the bid.

DeCarlo described a shortfall in ancillary items after bids and estimates were refined and asked the council to dedicate approximately $53,000 from a previously earmarked account related to the emergency services building to make the project financially certifiable; he said estimates for driveway work and other site needs are still being finalized.

Residents and some council members asked about the Bethany lease’s zoning and neighborhood effects. Staff said the parcel is not residential and identified it as an office/research (OR) zone in the township’s records; officials said they had met with nearby property owners and planned screening to limit impact.

Why it matters: The new DPW facility replaces aging facilities and is intended to centralize operations. The temporary Bethany lease and the reallocation of capital funds are immediate practical steps to allow construction to begin while ensuring continuity of public services. The discussion also illustrates the trade-offs municipal leaders weigh between timeliness, cost and neighborhood protection.

What’s next: Ordinance 25-22 was introduced at first reading and the council authorized publication and a public hearing date. The council must decide whether to commit the requested capital funds and finalize the Bethany lease before awarding construction contracts.