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Major parks and public‑works contracts move forward; Weekway Park contract draws dissent
Summary
The board approved multiple public‑works and parks contracts including Tulip Springs picnic renovation ($1.376M) and Franklin/Watsessing intersection improvements ($643,885); a $1.577M Weekway Park turf/track contract was presented but recorded a negative vote from Commissioner Richardson over local‑hire concerns.
Essex County commissioners approved a set of public‑works and parks contracts, but debate over local hiring practices produced a recorded dissent on one high‑value parks item.
David Antonio of the Department of Public Works summarized several awards: a $1,376,441 contract to AB Contracting for the Tulip Springs Picnic Area renovation (180 calendar days contract), a $643,885 award to Foggia Trinity Electric for traffic‑signal and roadway improvements at Franklin Street and Watsessing Avenue in Bloomfield, and a $1,577,400 award to American Athletic Track & Turf for Weekway Park football/soccer field and track improvements (synthetic turf removal and replacement, track resurfacing, drainage and fencing repairs).
Contractors introduced themselves and outlined scope and scheduling. Andrew Bizup of AB Contracting said his firm has done previous county projects and will perform pavilion, masonry and pathway work. Anthony Cicelli of Foggia Trinity Electric described new LED traffic signals, pedestrian countdown heads, high‑visibility crosswalks and resurfacing. Brian Shanahan of American Athletic Track & Turf described turf removal and track reinstall work and said his firm built the original Wequay Park field.
Commissioner Richardson pressed contractors on the proportion of Essex County residents employed by their firms, saying the county expects local hiring when it awards county business. Shanahan and other presenters said they currently have limited Essex County resident employees; Shanahan reported none at the time for his firm. Richardson then announced he would vote no on item 121 (Weekway Park). The roll call recorded approval of items 42 and 43 and several related items, but a negative vote by Richardson on 121 was recorded (he stated explicitly he intended to vote no on that item). Other commissioners voted in the affirmative on the package.
County staff said they would continue to encourage contractors to hire locally and to review bids for local‑hire commitments on future projects. The awarded contracts move to procurement administration for execution.
