Council hears public hearing on Pompton Lakes Library Phase 2; officials say cost now exceeds $1 million

Borough officials opened a public hearing on proposed exterior upgrades to the Pompton Lakes Library, reporting that earlier funding and new historic-preservation requirements have raised the project cost above earlier estimates.

Borough staff told the council the borough has so far identified approximately $700,000 toward the project: roughly $500,000 secured from a congressional appropriation (the transcript identifies the source as a congressional allocation secured last year) and $100,000 already awarded from the Passaic County Open Space Trust Fund. The historic architect retained for the project advised that the historic roof must be replaced; with work required to meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation, the total cost estimate has risen to “north of $1 million” according to borough staff.

To address the shortfall, the borough sought authorization to apply for an additional $100,000 from the Passaic County Open Space Trust Fund and to finalize a grant agreement on the council agenda. The mayor and staff cautioned that a recent federal funding freeze announced at the time put the congressional allocation at risk; the borough said it is monitoring the status of that federal funding.

At the hearing there were no public speakers on the library item. Borough staff said, if all funds are secured and grant paperwork is finalized, the project would be prepared for bid solicitation in the near term.

Quotes "The historic roof must be replaced as well ... all in all, the cost estimate has been identified north of a million dollars for the project," the borough administrator said during the hearing.

Ending The borough will seek the additional $100,000 county grant and monitor the status of the federal appropriation. Staff said the project remains a multi-source effort and would advance to design and bidding when grant conditions are confirmed.