Township engineer outlines capital projects, grants and development activity; road program and park work next

Township staff provided a consolidated update of current capital projects and private development activity.

Mr. Watkins (staff, who provided a written "hot topics" summary) briefed the committee that the EHT road program is expected to go out to bid in the next month with an estimated cost of about $1,000,000. He said the Veteran’s Park hockey rink work has been awarded and repaving is expected in late June or early July. Robert Best Road work will continue; Mr. Watkins said the township received a $183,345 grant for that project.

A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will fund curb and sidewalk work on Hugel Avenue from Coolidge to Tilburg this year; Idlewood sidewalk connections are planned for next year. Childs Kirk Park Field 1 dugouts, fencing and softball improvements were out to bid and expected to go under construction around late July. Shire Park parking (phase 1, ~30 spaces) and stormwater work are under design and awaiting Pinelands Commission approval before bidding in the fall. Mr. Watkins also outlined commercial projects including Spencer’s Gifts completing landscaping, a U‑Haul facility and Ball Zone Holdings on Black Horse Pike, Learning Edge on Washington Avenue, Ocean Club housing construction, and a multi‑phase residential project (Tackton Farms) where Poplar Avenue realignment must be completed before certificates of occupancy are issued.

No funding approvals were taken at the meeting; the report served as an informational update and staff indicated timelines and next steps for bidding and construction.