Council approves bond ordinance to build new Department of Public Works facility after extended debate

The Township Council of the Township of Washington on Feb. 18 adopted bond ordinance 25-04, authorizing the township to appropriate $3,000,000 and issue up to $2,850,000 in bonds or notes to fund construction of a new Department of Public Works (DPW) facility.

Council members adopted the ordinance after a lengthy public hearing and extended council discussion about project cost estimates, contingency reserves and unrelated potential environmental liabilities associated with two township-owned properties. The ordinance required two roll-call votes: an initial vote that failed to obtain sufficient support and a subsequent revote that passed.

The ordinance funds construction of a new DPW building. Architects’ cost opinions cited a structural cost estimate of about $3,200,000, a 10% contingency (roughly $320,000) and a 6% escalation line item (about $92,000) in the materials presented to council. The mayor and administration described a total planning-level funding target of up to $5,000,000 when including site work, soft costs and additional contingencies; the bond ordinance itself authorizes the $3,000,000 appropriation and borrowing authority up to $2,850,000.

Public comment included testimony from Teamsters Local 125 representative Brian Glace, who urged the council to approve a permanent facility for DPW staff who, he said, have worked from temporary structures for years. Council members questioned schedule, contingency sizing and whether other unresolved liabilities — specifically the township’s swim club site, where PCB testing and EPA review are pending — should affect the decision.

Council member Thomas Ullman pressed administration and the township’s bond counsel for clarity about whether the council could impose a time limit or automatic review on the ordinance funds if they were not drawn. Administration reported it had spoken with bond counsel, who confirmed the council may place time restrictions or other limits in an ordinance or follow-up resolution, though bond counsel cautioned against overly short time windows that could complicate construction if unforeseen delays occur.

Administration and the mayor said the township will refine the final financing plan once project documents are complete and bids are received; they said the ordinance grants authority to borrow but does not require the township to borrow the full authorized amount. Administrators also committed to returning to council with updated figures after the project is bid and to seek ways to limit immediate tax impact.

Roll-call voting on the ordinance occurred after the public hearing. An initial roll call did not produce the majority needed, after which council members agreed to revisit the item. On the reconsideration roll call the ordinance passed with a majority vote (roll-call recorded in the minutes as: Councilman Cascio: yes; Councilman Sears: yes; Councilman Ullman: no; Councilwoman Velez: yes; Council President DeSantis: yes). The council then moved the matter to closed session for related litigation items.

Why it matters: The DPW facility is intended to provide sheltered workspace for public works personnel and vehicle storage; proponents said it addresses a long-standing operational deficiency. Opponents and cautious council members cited uncertain costs tied to environmental remediation elsewhere in town and asked for tighter cost controls and follow-up reporting before full borrowing and construction commitments are finalized.

Administration said the typical path will be to finish design, solicit bids, then refine the borrowing amount and timing; the council and mayor said any final financing decisions will be reported back to the public.