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Resident presses Dumont council on 66% cost increase for municipal building sewer remediation
Summary
At the July meeting the council heard from a resident who questioned why the municipal building sewer remediation contract rose roughly 66% over the original award and whether the borough will seek recovery from the contractor; officials said the scope widened after crews uncovered unstable soil and stormwater issues and that pursuit of claims has been discussed in closed session.
A Beacon Street resident pressed the Dumont Borough Council on a large increase in the municipal building sewer remediation contract during the July meeting, saying the project’s total now exceeds the original bid by roughly two‑thirds.
Bruce, who identified himself during public comment, walked the council through contract figures he said are on the record: an original award on 04/15/2025 for $324,000, a change order No. 1 of nearly $145,000, a change order No. 2 for just over $25,000, a smaller change order of $659 and a contractor credit of about $12,013. "How do you justify being 66% over a contract, over a bid?" he asked.
Council officials responded that when crews began work they encountered conditions not anticipated in the original scope. Janine, the borough administrator, said the front slab and police parking area were sinking, soils were not properly compacted and stormwater piping and elevations required replacing. "When they went in, they found that it was not compacted properly," she said, and the borough chose "to fix everything properly, rather than putting band‑aids on it."
Officials also told the council the issue has been discussed in closed session and that pursuing recovery from the original contractor has been considered. Janine said that the borough addressed the problems to avoid repeated repairs and to meet proper construction standards.
Bruce also asked about compensation for municipal court and an administrative stipend that affects pensionability; he said the resolution package showed a court contract through Dec. 31, 2030 and an administrative stipend of $48,500 that may not be pensionable. The council recorded the questions and said the salary resolution and contract language are part of the agenda materials.
The council did not vote on the remediation contract during the public comment period; officials indicated follow‑up actions (including closed‑session legal review) are ongoing. The borough will report audit and follow‑up items at future meetings as those processes advance.
