Toms River facilities update: ESIP closeouts, boiler work, field‑light rewires and Walnut Street testing

District facilities leaders told the buildings and grounds committee that referendum and ESIP projects are nearing completion but several items remain before formal closeouts.

Colliers provided a written update but was not present; facilities staff said the district has a short list of open items, is awaiting final warranty information and as‑builts for contractor closeout, and expects some credit change‑orders to generate funds for smaller tied projects. "We're going to be getting back some monies that then we will be able to utilize to do smaller projects that are tied in with the referendum," a facilities presenter said.

Staff described specific recent work: in‑house crews replaced floor sections after abatement at two schools, pulled new wiring runs (three runs of about 500 feet each) for football‑field lights at High School North, replaced a 60‑horsepower electric motor for the JVAC 'bubble,' and repaired front‑office mechanical units at High School East to stop continuous water loss caused by an open condensate/return system.

For new projects, the district said it is scoping a boiler replacement at the early learning center and installing freeze stats and other energy‑management connections at multiple high schools with state‑approved vendors and co‑op contractors; those items are being financed in part from remaining ESIP funds. Facilities staff said contractors are completing work at several referendum sites and that Newport is preparing final payment requisitions that include credit change orders.

Staff also reported an environmental concern at Walnut Street: a licensed site remediation professional recommended additional well monitoring and testing. "We're having an additional round of testing done to further analyze all the results that are happening there," a facilities presenter said.

The county superintendent has approved an alternate method of compliance for district facilities for one year; staff said that approval will require renewal next year. Community event requests and minor community uses were also noted, and staff flagged that several projects remain on a to‑do list pending closeout.

During public comment, a resident reported that half the lights went out midgame during a recent football contest; facilities staff agreed to check the stadium lighting and noted the problem can sometimes indicate a power‑company phase loss.

The buildings and grounds committee held the update in committee; staff did not request further board action at the meeting aside from normal project closeout steps.