By PETE WALTON
The Neptune City Borough Council has approved emergency repairs to heating and cooling systems in the municipal building.
Two of the seven rooftop units on the building failed when they were turned on for the heating season, according to Mayor Bob Brown. He said some of the units are 20 years old and have delivered more than their expected life of service.
“We’ve been replacing them on a regular basis,” Brown said. “These two would not work when we turned them on.”
He said the areas with inadequate heat include the public library and the borough administrator’s office.
State law allows emergency repairs without the need for bids. Brown said the borough had obtained several quotes for the equipment. He said that the formal bid process would increase the total cost and delay the emergency work. The mayor said that equipment available through state contracts was more expensive than the prices the borough had obtained on its own.
At its meeting earlier this week, the council unanimously approved $24,800 in bonds to make the repairs.
The council appointed newly elected Board of Education member David J. Whalen Jr. to the volunteer fire department. Harry Conover III was also approved as a firefighter.
The borough has received state grants of $4,939 for drunk driving enforcement and $1,866 for police body armor. The funds have to be inserted into the municipal budget retroactively because the state does not make the amounts available at the time the budget is prepared.
Councilman Joe Zajack said that the borough may hire a part-time special officer to cover court and school duties, thereby freeing up a regular police officer for other responsibilities. Zajack said no decision has been reached. The councilman, who chairs the administration and justice committee, also urged local businesses to sponsor teams in the borough’s youth basketball league. He said those interested in doing so should contact Tom Adcock, director of the Community Center, at 732-774-0089.
Councilwoman Barbara Shafer invited residents to attend the annual tree lighting and holiday party at the Community Center on Fri., Dec. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Councilman Alex Tallman, chairman of the public works committee, said the borough will continue to pick up leaves through Dec. 15.
Councilwoman Pamela Renee said the borough is trying to be designated as a Tree City USA and has applied for a forestry grant from the state. She also reported that residents who live near borough parks would like to participate in the process of choosing plants which border their properties as improvements to the parks are considered.
Brown congratulated Renee and her running mate Glen Kocsis who won the two open seats on the council in the Nov. 7 election. The pair will be sworn in at the council’s reorganization meeting on New Year’s Day.
