Southampton pursues NJDOT aid for Retreat Road as $2 million paving program advances

The Southampton Township Committee voted June 17 to authorize submission of a Municipal Aid grant application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Retreat Road Phase V improvements.

The grant request was approved by unanimous roll-call vote under Resolution 2025-84. Mayor Ronald Heston said the action is part of a broader paving program the township expects will total about $2 million, with bids slated for July and a contract anticipated in August.

Township Administrator Brandon Umba told residents the primary repaving focus in the Leisuretowne area is the section from Route 70 to Laurel Hall and that the Alaimo Group will handle internal Leisuretowne roads while Environmental Resolutions, Inc., will perform work on outside roads. Umba also said the township requested estimates for a crosswalk and lighting on Huntington Drive near Chatham Place and identified Picardy Place as a road that needs work within the next three years.

During public comment, Susan Costales asked specifically for Picardy Place, Farrington Court, Cambridge Court and Kingston Way to be repaved; Heston responded that clustering roads for contractors reduces costs. Bill Cozzi asked whether curbing repairs and curb painting to prevent restricted parking could be included in contract specifications; Umba said he would ask the engineer about adding curb-work to the specs.

Umba also reported that BEMS Solar is negotiating to contribute funds to include St. Davids Place in the township road program; he said the company and township had discussed repaving Kingston Way to Sterling Place, Sterling Place to Buckingham Drive and Buckingham Drive to St. Davids Place and that the company had been given estimates.

The resolution authorizing the Municipal Aid application was recorded as adopted with all members voting in the affirmative.