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Mahwah council awards $1.24 million in road contracts, adopts two bond ordinances and reappoints municipal clerk
Summary
The Mahwah Township Council voted March 23 to award road construction contracts totaling about $1.24 million to LaForza Construction, adopted two bond ordinances for technology upgrades, and reappointed Municipal Clerk Carolyn George, granting her tenure.
Council President Robert M. Ferguson III announced on March 23 that the Township Council approved multiple procurement and budget measures, awarding two road‑work contracts and adopting bond ordinances while reappointing the municipal clerk.
The council voted to award the 2026 Road Improvement Program (Bid No. MTB‑26‑02) to LaForza Construction, Inc. for a total contract not to exceed $1,107,260.05, including Alternate A for Board of Education work, Township Engineer Michael J. Kelly told the council. Kelly said LaForza was the lowest responsive bidder and that the total was below the engineer’s estimate of about $1.4 million. “Based on my review, I consider LaForza Construction to be the lowest bidder with a total of $1,107,260.05 and recommend that the contract be awarded to them,” Kelly said.
The council also approved a separate LaForza award for Improvements to Karen Drive and Lynn Terrace (Bid No. MTB‑26‑01) for $133,600.95, again below the engineer’s estimate of $190,000. Both awards were included in the meeting’s consent agenda and reflected certifications from the township chief financial officer as to availability of capital funds.
On capital borrowing, the council adopted two bond ordinances on second reading. Ordinance No. 2090 authorizes $235,125 in bonds to help finance $247,500 in technology upgrades; Ordinance No. 2091 authorizes $225,000 in bonds for water and sewer utility technology upgrades. Both ordinances were adopted with unanimous roll call votes.
The council introduced Ordinance No. 2092 on first reading, an ordinance to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4‑45.14. The ordinance was scheduled for final passage and public hearing on April 6, 2026.
Council also approved the bills and claims for the period (totaling $436,213.73). Minutes and other resolutions were adopted under the consent agenda, including routine appointments and administrative items.
In personnel action noted earlier in the meeting, Council President Ferguson announced the reappointment of Carolyn George as Municipal Clerk effective March 23, 2026, and stated the reappointment conferred tenure upon her. The reappointment appears as Resolution #169‑26 in the meeting minutes.
A separate resolution approved a veteran property tax exemption and refund for Block 109.02, Lot 1274, which the minutes describe as the application of N.J.S.A. 54:4‑3.30 et seq.; the resolution directed the tax collector to refund $1,515.49 and cancel future property taxes for the qualifying owner.
Next steps: the corporate drive improvements and the Lawrence Road water‑main replacement projects were authorized to be advertised for public bids; the council directed administration to prepare bid specifications and solicit proposals.
