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Worman Road residents press Stockton council for repair timetable as borough lines up engineering work
Summary
Residents described blocked access and flooding after storms and urged faster repair; Mayor Aaron Lipsen said NJDEP permits cleared after an endangered‑species study but additional county and state approvals remain, and the borough authorized its QPA to award an engineering contract for the Worman Road project.
At the July 15, 2024 Stockton Borough Council meeting, several residents of Worman Road urged the council for a clearer timetable to repair a storm‑damaged road that has blocked access and stranded vehicles and utility crews.
"The good news is that the permits were approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, they finally got the endangered species investigation performed, and they passed the permits through," Mayor Aaron Lipsen told residents, adding that the borough still needs approvals from the Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District, the Raritan Canal Commission, NJDOT and the county engineer for a detour plan. "The NJDEP will only permit construction between September and March," he said, cautioning a fall start is possible but not guaranteed.
Residents described the damage and repeated storms as a continuing hardship. Suzanne Perrault of 28 Worman Road asked, "Is there anything that we can do to help? Can we show up at that meeting with measures?" Mayor Lipsen said the new municipal engineer — the firm that worked on Lower Creek Road — will meet with borough staff and that residents should check for an update in August or September.
Council later approved Resolution 24-71 authorizing Qualified Purchasing Agent Diane McDaniel to award an engineering services agreement to Colliers Engineering and Design for the Worman Road project up to the local bid threshold, with the Infrastructure Committee to approve scope and cost. The resolution enables staff to proceed with necessary engineering work while remaining within procurement rules.
Mayor Lipsen said FEMA funding deadlines could affect timing; he stated the borough believes a FEMA-related deadline is September 2025 and that extensions may be requested. He emphasized multiple permit steps remain before the borough can put the project out to bid — and that bids must be evaluated over a 60‑day period before a contract can be awarded.
Council members and residents discussed practical concerns the engineer should consider, including how extreme flows overtopped guardrails and left debris on trees and rails, and whether drainage pipes under the roadway are sized to handle anticipated storm forces. Ms. Le Gorrec, another Worman Road resident, asked how the borough will keep residents informed outside council meetings; Mayor Lipsen pointed to posted minutes on the borough website and encouraged checking back for updates.
Resolution 24-71 and the permit status leave the borough positioned to move to design and bidding once outstanding county and state approvals are secured; council set the next regular meeting for Aug. 19, 2024.
