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Resident group presses township after bids exceed estimate for Strathmir living-shoreline project
Summary
A resident representative asked why the township rejected bids for the Strathmir living-shoreline project; an official said bids were roughly $1 million over the engineering estimate (bids > $2 million against about $870,000 in grant funds), and the township will value-engineer plans and reissue the bid.
Alice Marge, speaking for the Strathmir Fishing and Environmental Club, asked the committee to "explain the reasoning behind resolution number 15 which is rejecting the bids received for the Straner [Strathmir] Living Shoreline project." She emphasized the project’s importance to the island’s marsh meadows and requested that the project proceed, whether in original form or scaled.
Jim responded that the bids were well above the engineering estimate and that the highest bids were "about a million dollars over what the engineering estimate was for those." He said the township currently has "$870,000 or something similar, don't quote me, allocated for this via grant," while bids came in "well over $2 million." To address the gap, Jim said the township will reject the current bids, have the engineering firm rework the plans to value-engineer the project, and reissue the bid documents so more reasonable bids are expected.
Alice asked whether the change would affect the planned groundbreaking with Congressman Van Drew scheduled for Sept. 15. Jim said the date might still be achievable "as long as we get the bid package out to bid next meeting on June 22nd," but cautioned that the schedule depends on third parties and external variables.
Why it matters: The living-shoreline project is framed as protection for marsh meadows that help safeguard the island; the bid gap poses a funding and timing risk for grant-funded coastal work. The township is taking procurement steps (value engineering and reissuing bids) rather than abandoning the project.
Next steps: The township's resolution authorizes staff to revise bid specifications and reissue the bid; the project team aims to solicit new bids at or near the engineering estimate and to preserve the potential September groundbreaking date if outside parties align.
