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Buena engineer outlines timing for pickleball courts, road paving and water-tower work
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Summary
Engineer Monac told council the borough is prioritizing quality installation of pickleball courts, awaiting approvals for Minnetola side streets and water-tower rehabilitation plans, and coordinating NJDOT road reconstructions with contractor schedules to improve long-term outcomes.
Engineer Monac updated the Buena Borough Mayor and Council on April 27 about several capital projects, saying work schedules aim to balance contractor availability with long-term quality.
On recreation facilities, Monac said posts for the new pickleball courts will be installed after a short delay to ensure the best final product; the contractor remains responsible for painting and striping. Council members said they were working to solicit reasonable bids after encountering unexpectedly high cost estimates.
Monac reported Minnetola Estates has remaining punch-list items (sod restoration, cleanup and curb work) and that a contractor is scheduled to return to finish remaining tasks. He added that Atlantic City Electric is scheduled to install street lighting on Buena Drive beginning May 4 with estimated two days of work, after which landscaping and final punch-list items will be completed.
Regarding I-Bank projects, Monac said final punch-list items for 2025 projects remain and that design plans for the Minnetola side-street program and the water-tower rehabilitation/water-main improvements on Cassette Avenue have been submitted to state reviewers (NJIB/DEP) and are awaiting approvals before bidding.
On NJDOT-funded road reconstructions, Monac said East Summer Road paving was awarded and could be scheduled as early as July, but the borough is trying to delay paving so subgrade settlement yields a better long-term pavement surface. He said West Avenue will be put out to bid with paving expected by fall.
Monac said the borough is trying to stretch grant dollars and combine LRIG grants to reduce costs where possible. Mayor Joseph Ruthie and council members asked for follow-up timelines and expressed a desire to accelerate certain items where residents have pressed for completion.
Next steps: follow-up on punch-list completion, street-light installation in early May, state approvals for water-tower/water-main design plans and a forthcoming bid schedule for DOT projects.
