Council approves $541,651 water‑main contract for Fort Dix project after debate over low bid

Pemberton Township Council approved a contract worth $541,651.50 to Garrett Paul LLC for the Fort Dix Road water‑main replacement, phase 1, after discussing a wide spread between the low bid and other proposals.

Administration staff said the project was included in a bond ordinance and that the bids ranged from an engineer's estimate up to $1.2 million; the low bid recommended for award is within the accounted bond funding. "This is phase 1a that went out to bid," a township engineer explained, adding that the project and funds were already accounted for in the bond ordinance.

At the meeting Councilman Dewey pressed staff on the discrepancy between the low bid and higher competitors, saying he wanted assurance that the contractor would be held to contract terms and that the township would avoid large change orders. "I want it on record," he said, "I don't want to get bombarded with $600,000 worth of change orders." Project staff replied they had checked references, would provide field inspection, and planned to enforce contract requirements.

Council voted to approve the contract; one council member voiced opposition during the roll call but the majority supported awarding the work so the in‑house and contracted schedule could proceed.

Staff said the contractor was vetted through references and the project will include township inspection and standard contract protections. The council directed staff to monitor change orders closely and report any substantial scope changes back to the governing body.

The contract award will allow construction to start once pre‑award administrative steps and required permitting are complete.