HAMMONTON—Town Engineer Mark Herrmann, of Adams, Rehmann and Heggan Associates (ARH), discussed several infrastructure projects at the September 22 meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting.
Herrmann began with the road work on Vine Street/School House Lane, noting that stormwater and sanitary sewer construction is continuing.
“There’s been a lot of issues underground with St. Joe. I think we resolved everything there. There were about four different lateral connections to the sewer from the building. There was one that was really troublesome; it was tangled in a bunch of tree roots, but we figured all that out so they should be good moving forward,” Herrmann said.
Herrmann said that once the respective sewer pipes are complete, the water main will be installed.
Councilman Steven Furgione said that contact should be made with the proper representatives at St. Joseph Academy regarding the construction.
“If there’s any issues they need to clean up internally with their sewer lines, while everything’s open now would be the time to do it. That’s number one. Number two, they have an iron pipe that’s connecting their water. They should evaluate that. If the iron pipe has to go, let’s do it before we get this whole road closed up,” Furgione said.
Herrmann concurred with Furgione, and said that he had previously made contact with school officials.
“Now’s the time to do that. I’ll talk to them, and I’ll get a letter outlining what should be done and get it over to them,” Herrmann said.
Regarding the project overall, Furgione asked if it was always the plan to completely shut down School House Lane, and Herrmann said that, while no plan had been formulated either way, it was discussed at the project’s preconstruction meeting.
“The sanitary sewer and storm sewer are on top of each other down the middle of the road. There would be no way to shut down half the road until we get the storm out of the way and the sanitary replaced,” Herrmann said.
Councilman Edward Wuillermin inquired if at least a base course of paving would be complete before the winter. Herrmann said that he anticipated paving crews being able to finish the project sometime in mid- to late-October.
“We’ll definitely push for the base to be done by then, and we’ll play it by ear if we can do the top coat,” Herrmann said.
Herrmann also said that work is proceeding apace on Valley Avenue.
“We’re ahead of the concrete work. We have curb and sidewalk, and that’s been going pretty good,” Herrmann said.
Herrmann said that he and Public Works Manager Robert Vettese submitted a tree removal permit to the Hammonton Environmental Commission for the installation of curb and sidewalk at the corner of Valley Avenue and Broadway, which was approved.
“On the north side, there’s already a ramp there and we can do that concrete with no problem. The south side, if we do that, we would need to put a ramp somewhere, so I’ve been trying to see if the county would have any objection to us putting something there,” Herrmann said.
Councilman Sam Rodio also commented on the matter.
“It would be really good to get both sides of that sidewalk,” Rodio said.
Furgione asked Herrmann if he knew how long it would take to put a base coat of asphalt on Valley Avenue.
“I’m still thinking they’re probably a few weeks away; I don’t know for sure,” Herrmann said.
Furgione continued.
“The residents are getting testy now, and I don’t blame them,” Furgione said.
Herrmann agreed.
“I don’t blame them, either,” Herrmann said.
During his report, Vettese spoke about the proposed overland drip irrigation on Boyer Avenue, noting that there was a revised plan and he spoke with several property owners in the area. Additional revisions will be made to the plan, Vettese said, to comply with the owners’ concerns.
“There are two manholes that come out to Boyer Avenue; one at the Sewell Avenue intersection and one at the easement that was obtained. We’re going to run a stub pipe out to the property line in order for them to allow an extension—if they would need an extension in the future,” Vettese said.
Vettese said that there is a gas utility and a fiber optic cable that “have to cross underneath.”
“On the plans, we’re going to put a note that those two utilities have to be located at the depths of that during the construction process, and then it will be determined whether we go under or over those two utilities,” Vettese said.
Mayor Stephen DiDonato asked about the process.
“When will we have the plans updated so we can submit them and move forward?” he said.
Herrmann said that he would “fast-track” the plans.
Furgione asked if the sewer line would continue onto Sewell Avenue; Vettese reiterated that a stub will be placed to allow for future extension, but there is currently no line being planned.
Furgione continued.
“The pump station we’re sizing is to service those homes and the two lots across, on Boyer, closer to Moss Mill. That’s the extent and size of the pump station. If they need to add to the line, they’re going to have to upgrade the pump station themselves,” Furgione said.
Herrmann said that specifications for the pump station took into account potential residential development—including possible age-restricted construction—at some point in the future, and Furgione countered.
“It’s not zoned for any conditional construction out there, number one. Number two, we’re there to take care of those residents who are bordering our property. If further upgrades need to happen, that should be on the developer, not the town—and that pump station should be sized accordingly,” Furgione said.
DiDonato commented on the matter.
“Let’s leave some room for some growth—I’m not saying leave room for tons of growth, but I think we should leave some. That would be prudent, to leave some room for future growth.
You don’t just want to size it for six homes, and then be back there,” DiDonato said.
Herrmann said that having proper infrastructure in place was vital.
“We have stubs, we’ll have new pipes. If, in the future, something happens where they need to have more capacity, then yes, that person should have to replace the pumps. But, at least we’ll have enough infrastructure in place to let people connect,” Herrmann said.