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Clark council adopts $2.675 million bond ordinance to fund Westfield Avenue resurfacing and municipal upgrades
Summary
The Clark Township Council on June 25 adopted a $2.675 million bond ordinance to finance road work (including Westfield Avenue), equipment upgrades for public safety, building repairs and other municipal projects; the mayor said a $322,825 DOT grant will offset part of the cost and council members said interest on bond anticipation notes will be known when notes are sold.
The Clark Township Council voted unanimously June 25 to adopt Ordinance 2620, a bond ordinance appropriating $2,675,000 for public improvements and equipment, including $450,000 to resurface Westfield Avenue.
Mayor Albanese told the council the meeting had been called after the township received a New Jersey Department of Transportation grant of $322,825 earmarked for road construction on Westfield Avenue. The ordinance also packages funding for other road resurfacing ($88,000), fire department communications and equipment upgrades ($1,146,000), police radio upgrades ($65,000), renovation of a former pistol-range building and Little League field restrooms ($36,000), and $170,000 for municipal building roof repairs.
The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance and resident Mike Schulman used his five-minute public comment period to press for clarity on taxpayer impact. "What is the effect going to be on the taxpayer? What is the rate that these bonds are going to be at?" he asked, noting the ordinance and accompanying materials did not include an interest-rate estimate.
Council members and staff responded that the ordinance authorizes borrowing and that the township will accept bids for bond anticipation notes; the interest rate will be set when the notes are sold and interest expense would be reflected in the next fiscal year’s budget. Officials said any grants obtained — including the Assistance to Firefighters grant applications under consideration — would reduce the township’s out-of-pocket expenditures for equipment if awarded.
After discussion the council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by roll call: Council Members Hoff, Hund, Maniti, Okconor, Tol and Council President Smith voted yes. The mayor said the grant and the ordinance together allow the township to advertise and proceed with contracting so work on Westfield Avenue can be completed before the start of the school year.
The ordinance provides the legal authorization to purchase equipment and issue bonds or bond anticipation notes; the council’s vote completes the adoption step but does not itself set the final financing terms, which will be determined when the township sells the notes or issues bonds.
Other consent items approved at the meeting included two federal Assistance to Firefighters grant applications (one for $87,645 for radio replacement and one for $1,300,000 for a rescue pumper), adoption of a Union County multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan, and authorization to solicit bids for restoration work at the historic Robinson Plantation House. The council also approved payment of bills totaling $26,443.50.
The council announced that contracts and construction schedules will follow required procurement steps; officials said grant awards and the results of any bids could change the township’s final out-of-pocket obligations.
