Resident questions selection of engineering firms for sewer-separation project; legal and staff responses
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Summary
A resident questioned why Boswell Engineering — not Suburban Engineers — was listed among city engineering consultants for a sewer-separation effort; City Attorney Richard Malagiri and city representatives said Boswell and other selected firms are licensed, full-service engineering firms and council noted consultant selection occurred earlier.
During public comment, a resident raised concerns about the city’s choice of engineering consultants for a sewer-separation project, asking why Suburban Engineers — which she described as having strong state ties for securing grant funding — had not been rehired and why Boswell Engineering was selected.
Resident comments: The speaker said she had a longstanding relationship with a Suburban Engineers employee involved with the project and asserted Suburban Engineers were experts in sewer separation and well-connected to state funding sources. She asked council to explain why Boswell was retained instead.
City and legal response: City Attorney Richard Malagiri replied that Boswell Engineering, Alaimo Engineering and Remington & Vernick (corrected name) are "full service" firms licensed by the State of New Jersey and capable of performing assigned engineering work. A council member said the selection process had been thoughtfully conducted and that the firms had been selected based on proposals; the council also acknowledged that decisions about consultant contracts occurred in prior administrations and that records would reflect the contracting authority exercised by council at those times.
Why it matters: Consultant selection can affect project design, grant access and construction schedules for capital projects such as combined sewer separation. Residents asked for clarity about the decision-making process and the potential to seek grant funding to reduce taxpayer burden.
Discussion versus decision: The exchange was public comment and staff response; no policy or contract action was taken during the meeting. Council and legal staff noted the firms’ licensure and said the selection was made following a review of proposals in prior years.
What’s next: Staff and council recorded the concern for the record; residents were invited to follow up with the city manager for specific location-level concerns and to request documentation about consultant selection and contracts.