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Hopatcong approves American Ramp Company contract to repair skate park; work covered by earlier DCA award
Summary
Council authorized a $69,000 purchase from American Ramp Company and will use a $76,000 NJDCA recreation grant to replace unsafe skate-park equipment and resurface the site so it can reopen.
The Hopatcong Borough Council voted to contract with American Ramp Company for Phase 1 of skate-park repairs and replacement to return the facility to service. The council said the work will be paid from prior grant funds and borough funds already identified.
Council discussion noted the skate park had been closed for safety reasons and that a DCA recreation grant already awarded to the borough covers much of the Phase 1 costs. According to council staff, the vendor quote for the replacement ramp and approved equipment totals $69,000; the borough has a $76,000 NJDCA grant associated with the project that will cover resurfacing and related work. "This will get us into compliance with the safety aspect of it because right now, it cannot be reopened in the condition that it's in," a borough official said.
One council member asked that the minutes reflect a personal objection to the use of grant dollars for the project, stating, "I just wanna go on record saying I think this is a poor use of grant money." Other council members responded that the contract completes an inherited project and will allow the borough to close out the prior grant in good standing and pursue other grant opportunities.
The contract with American Ramp Company was described as under a state contract, which staff said removes the need for a separate bidding process for the equipment. The council approved the resolution authorizing the contract on a roll call vote: Falcone — yes; Johnson — yes; Koussevick — yes; Rodriguez — yes.
Staff said Phase 1 will replace unsafe equipment, resurface the skate park and address items identified by the borough's insurance adjuster. Any additional phases or expansions of the skate park will be considered separately and would require additional funding decisions by the council.
The resolution directs borough staff to execute the contract and proceed with Phase 1 work using the previously awarded DCA funds and available municipal funds for resurfacing.
