By Allison Perrine
Last week Red Bank officials learned of leaking water supply infrastructure under Broad Street in the borough’s downtown.
RED BANK – Leaking, aging water supply infrastructure in downtown Red Bank could cost some property owners a pretty penny in the coming months.
Laura Neumann, a consulting engineer with CME Associates, told borough officials last Wednesday that, as a contractor began planned road improvements on Broad Street from Front Street to Mechanic Street recently, they were surprised to find that the existing galvanized pipe waterlines – believed to have last been replaced in 1997 – are “very aged” and “leaking.”
“As they are digging, and honestly, they are digging by hand, but just by virtue of the dirt moving, some of these are now leaking and then in need of being replaced,” she told the borough council Dec. 1. “It’s a cost that an owner isn’t anticipating.”
The question then became how the work should be paid for. Neumann suggested that the borough could replace the water main in its entirety and pay for the project but it would be “contradictory” to borough code and could result in construction delays.
“The alternative, which is consistent with our ordinance, would be to reach out to the property owners and advise them that the services – if they are in fact leaking – would need to be replaced at their cost,” said Neumann.
While it’s currently unknown exactly how many leaking connections, or laterals, there are, Neumann estimates that it may be any number up to 100 but most likely around 70. Each lateral replacement could cost between $5,000 to $7,000 per service, she estimated. She suggested the payments be made quarterly or over a two- to three-year period “to make it a little more palatable if it’s a high cost.”
“Those are high numbers for your average customer,” said Mayor Pasquale “Pat” Menna, who, along with several members of the council, agreed it would be best to offer a longer-term payment plan for the property owners.
While the Broad Street project is currently focusing on the area from Front Street to Mechanic Street it will extend to Harding Road. In late September before work began, those property owners were advised that now would be the best time to replace their services if needed while the road was open for other improvements, said Neumann, but no responses or interest were expressed at that point.
“Now that we’re out there, what we’re seeing is their services are leaking and we’re trying to be ahead of what could be a future problem and/or address it as we move on,” she added.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, at the Dec. 1 meeting Police Chief Darren McConnell, acting borough administrator, announced that the construction plans to rebuild the Shrewsbury Avenue-based senior center have been finalized. The latest details now include some comments and suggestions made by residents from the latest public information session, such as ceiling fans, a dropdown projector screen and a working fireplace. Once it is approved by the borough council and financing details are finalized, the project can go out to bid likely early in the new year.
As covered extensively by The Two River Times, the Red Bank Senior Center has sat in disrepair since 2019 when it suffered damage from a burst pipe. The incident uncovered a series of other issues that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair. For some time, the borough searched for ways to reopen the senior center – a meeting place for seniors to socialize and participate in activities – while balancing the costly repairs with issues at other municipal buildings around town.
Now the plan is to rebuild the center in its existing location at 80 Shrewsbury Ave. overlooking the Navesink River. Repairs include new flooring, lighting, painting, ceiling, furnishings, cabinet replacements, insulation replacement, signage, plumbing, fire alarm devices, ADA-compliance and more.
In the meantime, programming has resumed in the Trinity Church building on White Street to allow seniors to participate in various programs, socialize and meet members’ “mental, social and educational needs,” according to the borough.
The article originally appeared in the December 9 – 15, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
