Council: Electric Lake dredging testing complete, council authorized up to $5 million and will pursue grants

During public comment an attendee asked for an update on the Electric Lake dredging project. Borough officials reported that soil borings and initial testing are complete, engineers are coordinating a structural analysis of the dam and the council previously approved an authorization option of "up to $5,000,000."

A council speaker explained that the council considered three funding options (0, up to $5,000,000, and up to $10,000,000) and selected the $5,000,000 option. Officials also said the borough is actively pursuing grants and matching funds that could increase the project total available to $6M–$10M depending on successful grant awards and that there are private parties interested in taking silt for reuse in Bergen County, which the borough expects will lower transportation costs.

The borough’s engineering firm (Neglia) reported the soil testing and fieldwork are complete and that staff are coordinating with dam engineers to determine whether removing the soil will affect the dam’s structure. Borough staff said preliminary engineering and grant‑use timelines could allow work to start next year, and cautioned that unused grants may need to be returned if not spent within required time frames.

What council members said: The council emphasized grant matching requirements ("to get $100,000 you have to put up $100,000"), the presence of engineering oversight and that project costs may be offset by grant awards and the sale/reuse of dredged silt.

Next steps: Staff will continue engineering coordination, pursue grants with required match funds, and update the council on permitting and dam‑safety analyses. No formal contract award or construction authorization was recorded at the meeting.