By PETE WALTON
The Neptune City Borough Council has awarded a contract for improvements to Joe Freda and First Responders Parks.
Capela Construction of Sicklerville bid $149,600 to do the work. Eight bids were received.
The borough was awarded a grant for the work of up to $175,000 from the Monmouth County Community Block Grant Program.
Borough Administrator Chris Cherbini said the grant was due to expire in June, prompting the council to move ahead with its plans.
Also at this week’s council meeting, Board of Education President Anthony Susino said the board will hold a virtual meeting tonight (April 16) to interview candidates for the vacant chief school administrator position. The interviews will take place in executive session.
The council introduced an ordinance which would allow an outside contractor to handle the payment of police officers for special duty assignments such as road and utility work.
Cherbini said the change would “get the borough out of the billing business.” The third-party vendor would bill the utilities and contractors directly for the officers’ services.
A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for April 27.
The council voted to waive interest on past due sewer charges payable after May 1. The move is an attempt to help residents who may be experiencing financial distress due to Gov. Murphy’s executive orders limiting work opportunities.
The sewer charges must be paid by the date of the next sewer bill on Aug. 1.
The borough has agreed to accept a golf cart and trailer from the Board of Fire Commissioners District No. 1 of the Township of Ocean. The borough police department will use the equipment.
Mayor Andrew Wardell announced the start of a “Shop for Seniors” campaign with a “hot line” for seniors and disabled residents to call for volunteers to help pick up essential items.
This week’s meeting was held online with Wardell presiding from his office in the municipal building. All council members, Municipal Clerk Tamara Brown, Borough Attorney Jason Sena and Cherbini participated on camera.
