Millville seeks state I‑Bank and Water Bank financing for street sweeper, vac truck and water system planning; hires Remington & Vernick for engineering

At its June 12 meeting Millville officials described multiple infrastructure financing steps and related contracting for near‑term public‑works and water projects.

Loan applications and equipment: Staff presented a resolution authorizing filing loan applications with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to acquire a jet‑vac truck and a street sweeper. Public works staff told council the city’s existing street sweeper is aging and that a second machine is appropriate for a city of Millville’s size; the DEP previously recommended the city have two sweepers. The council was told the loan/resolution would move the city one step closer to acquiring the equipment once approved.

Water system planning: The council also reviewed a resolution authorizing an application to the New Jersey Water Bank to finance planning and design costs for phase one of a new water supply well and new water storage tanks. Staff said the Ware Avenue well was taken out of service because it is in a floodplain and requires raising to an uneconomic elevation; finding and developing a new well site is a more economical alternative. The resolution covers financing planning/design work; a physical site has not yet been selected.

Engineering contract: Separately, staff introduced a non‑fair‑and‑open contract to Remington & Vernick (naming Joe Mengel) to provide engineering services on I‑Bank‑funded infrastructure projects. City staff emphasized Mengel’s long tenure consulting for the city and said continuity will accelerate project start‑up. Triad staff reportedly recommended staying with Mengel for efficiency.

Why it matters: The combination of loan applications and immediate engineering capacity aims to position Millville to access I‑Bank and Water Bank funding and to move design and procurement forward for equipment and water infrastructure work.

Clarifications recorded in meeting: staff said the vac truck and sweeper financing is not yet a purchase commitment but advances the loan application process; the Water Bank application covers planning and design (not construction). Commissioners asked about funding sources and the city confirmed work would be paid from the water budget when appropriate.

What’s next: Staff will file loan applications with the I‑Bank and Water Bank, pursue the Remington & Vernick contract, and return to council for required approvals as financing and designs progress.

Quote: "This would give us the greater ability to do a much larger area," staff said of the additional sweeper; "we really should have another one" because of DEP guidance and the city’s size.

No formal votes on these resolutions were taken at the June 12 briefing; most items were introduced for later action.