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Public Works reports strong storm-recovery fund, outlines sewer, roads and brine strategy
Summary
Director Tony Esposito said the township's storm-recovery trust has a $741,000 balance at the end of 2024 and, after recent purchases and allocations, a working balance of about $621,000; the department is shifting to brine pretreatment and detailed sewer/storm mapping to reduce future storm costs.
Tony Esposito, director of public works, told the council on March 5 that his department closed 2024 with a large storm-recovery trust balance and that the township has strengthened its readiness for snow and major storms.
Esposito said the storm-recovery fund had a $741,000 balance at the end of 2024 and that recent purchases for salt and contractor allocations will leave a working balance near $621,000. "I've been here over 20 years, and the worst storm we ever had cost us about $325,000," he said, adding the fund provides a multi-year cushion against extreme winters.
Esposito described the township's transition to brine pretreatment and the equipment behind it. He said the township owns a brine trailer and shares a brine contract with Hampton Township; the salt storage holds about 1,350 tons and is purchased under a cooperative agreement. He told the council the brine program reduces salt usage and is considered more efficient and environmentally preferable when used properly.
On sewer and storm infrastructure, Esposito said crews continue proactive televising and jetting of sanitary lines and are working on multiple sewer rehabilitation projects and pump-station upgrades, with engineering projects expected in 2025. He told councilors that while sanitary lines are physically inspected with cameras, some monitoring equipment can be installed on storm basins and retention ponds to help detect blockages earlier; he asked the council to consider funding monitoring pilots on chronic problem basins.
Esposito and engineering staff also described equipment and fleet-capital needs: a new loader, dump trucks, and a field striping/marking robotic unit to reduce field-marking labor are among capital requests. He said older units go to auction when replaced and that the department is planning staggered vehicle purchases to manage fleet replacement costs.
No formal capital approvals were taken at the March 5 session; Esposito said the department will return with bid-ready specifications and schedule recommendations for council consideration.
"The fortunate thing is any monies on a two-year cycle that are not spent are automatically transferred to the snow trust," Esposito said. "So we have accumulated at the end of '24 a $741,000 balance."
