WOODSTOWN — It has been a bumpy road for the Green Street
construction project to improve deteriorating water and sewer mains in that
area, council officials said.
While much needed for the residents, council members are
concerned about work on the project, which has been plagued with issues like
wires out of place, a broken water main, an emergency gas line repair and
police being called to the site, officials said.
"The project is moving forward but not without
challenges — we have had numerous incidents that have occurred out there,"
Council President David Layton said during a recent borough council meeting.
Borough council awarded a contract to Mazzara Trucking &
Excavation in late September in the amount of $613,328. The project, now in its
sixth week, is expected to last roughly 180 days.
"It's just been a challenge. Every day is a new
adventure usually and, in my opinion, this contractor unless watched will cut
corners and endanger workers and our residents or properties," Layton
said.
According to the council president, there has also been
damage to sidewalks and curbing after the reported use of an excavator to
scrape off dirt.
Contractor Siro Mazzara said Tuesday that the company is
only doing its job.
"We are just a company trying to do our job for the
town — I'm just trying to do my job," Mazzara said, adding that a gas main
never broke.
Layton suggested that a full-time inspector may be needed
for the project, instead of the part-time one they have now. The councilman
asked to develop a budget for this recommendation.
But Woodstown Chief Financial Officer Jim Hackett said he
didn't think things could be changed at this point. The additional cost for a
full-time inspector would be $23,000.
Councilman Joe Hiles commented that appropriating the
additional funds would put taxpayers in a hole.
"I don't think it is fair to the taxpayers of this
municipality to foot the bill," Hiles said.
In addition to concerns with the work being done, Layton
said police have been called to the site for various reasons, including members
from Local 172 New Jersey Laborers Union, who were out filming the construction
out of safety concerns.
Union members could not be reached for comment.
However, the union members who were at the scene were within
their rights to film, according to Public Safety Director Cris Simmermon, and
the contractor was told to continue working.
There have been nine incidents of police response to Green
Street within the first six weeks of operation, according to Layton.
"The majority of those calls — 5 out of 9 calls — were
in response to disputes between the contractor and representatives of
construction unions," Layton explained.
The frequency of police calls has diminished, officials
said, and there have not been any arrests as a result of police calls.
Mazzara also reported on Monday, Dec. 16, that a piece of
his equipment was stolen.
Woodstown Police confirmed that an Atlas Copco compressor,
valued at $19,000, was reported missing from West Avenue, where construction
equipment is stored.
"I am glad that our residents and the contractor have
been availing themselves of the services of the Woodstown Police Department
when the need arises. We are blessed to have a police department that is known
for being responsive and helpful," Layton said.
"This is a large construction project that
unfortunately is disruptive to residents' use of Green Street, and their
continued patience and understanding is much appreciated."
Source: NJ.com
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