Bound Brook residents, council discuss library asbestos remediation and $100,000 architect proposal

Council members and residents pressed the Bound Brook Borough Council on the condition of the town library and options to pay for asbestos remediation.

At a council meeting, a staff member said an architectural proposal included a management-only fee of about $100,000 to prepare bid documents and oversee remediation work. The council said the finance committee did not allocate money this year and that next year’s budget will need to identify the source of funds.

"My favorite thing in the town is the library," resident Donna Benz said, asking the council to begin budgeting for remediation so the building can be restored. Judith Hilly, who identified herself as a member of the library advisory board, asked for a ballpark figure for the work and whether the borough will pursue state library bond grants or allocate municipal funds. A council speaker said the state library bond program has not announced its next round and that grant timing is not yet known.

Council members discussed options including seeking grants, deploying bond financing and asking community groups to fundraise. A council speaker said the asbestos had been in the building since the 1960s and that earlier, smaller remediation plans had expanded as more affected areas were identified. The council also confirmed it is negotiating a temporary location for library services while work proceeds.

The council did not adopt a funding appropriation at the meeting. Officials said they would move the architectural proposal forward so the borough can obtain contractor bids and a more precise cost estimate, and that budget decisions for funding the remediation will be made in next year’s budget process.

The council requested that staff continue to pursue grants and report back with clearer cost estimates and timeline options.