Essex County commissioners approve bridge, drainage and park contracts, accept mosquito‑control and bridge‑scour grants

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners approved a series of public-works, parks and zoo contracts and accepted several state and federal grants to support infrastructure and program operations.

Department of Public Works Director David Antonio presented a low bid award to Marlborough Incorporated to replace a bridge carrying John F. Kennedy Parkway over a tributary of Canoe Brook in Millburn, for a contract amount not to exceed $1,847,116 (240 days) and stated the project is fully grant funded. Antonio said the project will include a traffic maintenance and protection plan so "the goal is to maintain traffic flowing as much as possible during construction in phases." Commissioners asked about phasing and timelines.

The board awarded a two‑year, as‑needed drainage‑cleaning and CCTV inspection contract to PIM Corporation (not to exceed $524,000) and approved a one‑year extension with North Jersey Bobcat and Jessco for off‑road equipment parts and services (aggregate not to exceed $56,450). Parks Director Joshua Zates presented contract extensions and new vendors for masonry and zoo supplies, including food contracts and overnight security at Turtle Back Zoo.

Jackson and other administrators summarized grant items: a $1.2 million DEP grant for county mosquito-control equipment and a $2 million Department of Transportation grant to remove sediment (‘scour’) from bridge abutments and piers to improve water flow and reduce potential damage. Jackson explained that scour work "removes the sediment from around the abutments and the piers to allow for a greater water flow and mitigate any possible damage." The board approved the contracts and grants by roll-call vote.