Photo courtesy Goldstein Partnership
By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
COLTS NECK – “It’s going forward.” That was the final word from Mayor Frank Rizzuto regarding plans to construct a new two-story, 16,000-square-foot municipal building on the site of the current courthouse and police department, a single-story structure off Cedar Drive.
The five-member township committee voted unanimously to pass an ordinance in the amount of $11 million authorizing the construction, along with improvements to the existing municipal building next door, at their regular meeting Feb. 26.
Officials, who said they studied the matter and potential options over a five-year period, cited myriad problems with the current buildings, including flooding issues and damage, mold, lack of compliance of police department facilities and inadequate size to serve the current township population of 10,140. Portions of the current complex date to the 1960s and were built over time, most when the population was in the 3,000 range.
“We’ve put additions on, connected buildings and looked at a spot across the street, but that would take too long,” said Tom Orgo, a township committeeman, former mayor and lifelong resident.
“This ordinance puts us in a position to borrow money,” said Michael Viola, the deputy mayor. “We are looking at long-term financing. We have not determined how to structure the finances.” While several residents made brief comments supporting the project prior to the vote, others made longer statements opposing it, including planning board chairman Brook Crosson, a 37-year resident and licensed professional engineer and planner who has served on the board for 29 years.
“I think you are moving too fast and are not doing a good job of communication about this project,” Crosson said. “It would be more persuasive if you gave information on the other alternatives you looked at and associated costs. I agree something must be done, but I’m not convinced this is it.”
Crosson was among an overflow crowd of some 100 residents who attended the only public information session on the plan Jan. 29. Following a presentation that evening, attendees were given half an hour for questions and comments before the regular township committee meeting commenced. Some asked for more public forums in a larger venue and/or a referendum, both of which the township committee denied. At the Feb. 26 meeting, the committee declined Crosson’s offer for the planning board to voluntarily conduct a capital project review. Crosson said he submitted 16 questions to the township Feb. 4.
“I got a response on Feb. 25,” Crosson said. “Eight answers I consider nonresponsive to the questions. Five questions had blanks with no attempt to answer and three questions had one-word answer, ‘No,’ with no explanation.” Through both meetings, residents agreed with Crosson that the buildings have suffered from years of inadequate maintenance, which Rizzuto said will be addressed in the next municipal budget.
“I came to support the project but I’m perplexed hearing these comments,” said resident Bob Lutkewitte, who cited the township library, built primarily with donations, grants and in-kind labor by residents almost 20 years ago. “There may be more comments or constructive criticism you should hear.”
Resident Fulton Wilcox said the projected $12 million cost is “completely unaffordable and cannot be paid back in 25 years.” Added resident Kevin O’Brien, “I’m pro-blue but I want to be conservative.”
Rizzuto said township officials are “supremely confident” in their research and plans. Other audience members cited other municipal buildings around the state that have been built for less in recent years.
Once the new building is completed, the township police department will occupy the first floor and a portion of the second floor, where a multipurpose meeting room would also serve as the new municipal courtroom. Finance and administrative offices would be housed on the second floor, moving over from the existing Town Hall building next door. The anticipated tax impact from the project, based on the average local home value of $800,000, will be $40 to $89 annually.
Bid solicitation is anticipated for May, with a contract awarded by August. Demolition of the existing municipal court building would take place in September, with construction beginning in October. The target completion date is January 2022. During construction, the police department will share the first aid squad building located within the municipal complex. The municipal court will operate out of the Freehold Borough Municipal Court facility at 38 Jackson St. off Route 537.
Offices currently located in the municipal building’s basement – planning/zoning, code enforcement, fire marshal, and construction – will relocate to the first floor of the current municipal building once improvements there are completed.
The article originally appeared in the March 19-25, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
