Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Space topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Milford council discusses $40,000 Open Space plan for Wallisch property; resolution possible in January
Summary
Council members discussed funding a small deck and site improvements at the Wallisch property and asked for clarification on size and drainage; Township Administrator said vendor quotes would determine whether a $40,000 Open Space award can be made in January.
The West Milford Township Governing Body discussed using Open Space Trust funds to pay for a deck and related site work at the Wallisch property during its Dec. 17 meeting.
Councilwoman Ada Erik said she liked the idea of a deck but questioned why it would not be larger, offering roughly 30 by 40 feet as a reference size. Mark Lynch, a member of the Friends of Wallisch, said a larger deck would be out of proportion with other property elements and observed that "800 square feet is a very large deck." Lynch added that, if necessary, a center portion of the railing could be removed later to add steps to a ground-level patio.
Councilman David Marsden raised drainage concerns, noting the front of the property can be wet; Lynch responded that the rear slopes down and should not present the same issue. Mayor Michele Dale asked whether the council was amenable to moving forward.
Township Administrator William Senande said the project cost was projected at $40,000 and that the procurement threshold was $53,000; he said the township would need updated vendor quotes because this is municipal property, and that if vendor quotes remain at the same level a resolution could be prepared in January to award the $40,000 in Open Space funds.
The discussion produced no formal vote on funding at the Dec. 17 meeting; council members expressed informal support for the plan and asked staff to obtain final quotes before a formal resolution is introduced.
The governing body has not yet adopted a final contract or timeline for construction; Administrator Senande indicated the next step is to secure written vendor estimates and return to the council with a resolution in January if figures remain unchanged.
