Just the latest on what our elected government is doing that will cost taxpayers dearly...
Mistake at the Lake:Over-budget and no County grant funding yet received
Hammonton Lake Park (ARH #11-90028):
Phase I-Construction:
As previously reported the contractor has achieved substantial completion.Once the contractor is complete and the contract is closed we will work to requisition funds from Atlantic County.It should be noted the contract quantities and costs for field changes have been tabulated.The Contract has gone over the original contract price.We have presented change orders to applicable committee members for Councils consideration.
Phase II -Planning & Design:
The pending completion of Phase I construction will lead to the planning and design of Phase II.It has been expressed that a basin is not desired in the picnic area.In order to make modifications to the plan and reapply to the Pinelands Commission, we will be supplying a proposal for the altered design.This proposal has been started, however our concentration has been on closing out phase I prior to moving into phase II.
How serious is this problem and how much will it cost?
Boyer Avenue Land Application Site Drip Irrigation/Beneficial Reuse
(ARH #11-50127):
Optimization Report ~
As previously reported, the Optimization Report was submitted to all applicable agencies on October 7, 2009.Outside of the Pinelands requesting an archived report which we have since furnished, they have not made any comments.In the interim, Council adopted a proposal from the consultant, Omni Environmental for additional services associated with the implementation phase of the Optimizing Report.Omni Environmentals proposal was for Phase I and II in the amount of $46,000.00, whereby only Phase I in the amount of $29,000.00 was authorized at the present time.Other than reviewing the data from the continuous loading of the trenches that has occurred for approximately three months now and the progress on the drip irrigation trial, the core of this proposal cannot be initiated until comments are received from the Pinelands on the Optimization Report.
Lee Rain-Trial Application ~
As previously reported, Lee Rain completed the installation of the drip lines for the trial areas.The pumps are now installed and the trial operation has commenced.Over the past month, significant rainfall has prevented the trial from moving forward since it would distort the amount of percolation attributed directly to the drip operation as opposed to precipitation.As a reminder, the affect of the trial will not be known for at least two months once fully operative.The drip irrigation application on the forested area as well as the recreation fields is one of the elements of the optimization strategy.Perhaps next month, if the amount of rainfall subsides, the trial will have some measurable findings to report.
When real estate developers are in charge... future water restrictions for the rest of us
Water Allocation (ARH #11-30088):
Major Modification Application:
A detailed report was files last meeting whereby the Council was apprised of the Pinelands concern with allowing the increase of the monthly and annual diversion to the Hammonton Water System.At the Pinelands request, the Town has allowed them additional time to review the information as opposed to simply obtaining a denial from them.They requested until February for the presentation of their findings where the Town has agreed to receive the report by January.In the interim, NJDEP cannot issue the permit modification to increase diversion.However, the Pinelands has agreed that if there is any urgent matter requiring an increase in diversion, they will discuss the matter with us prior to completion of their findings.
Future Well:
The PWTC has been briefed on the other possibilities for land acquisition and there is on acquisition additional opportunity that the Town will be exploring before determining its ultimate option.
What is the Council not telling us?
Pine, Basin & Oak Road Water Main Extension, Well Contamination
(ARH #11-30138):
As discussed with the PWTC, action on this project was deferred to the new Council taking office in January.At that time, we will review the project options and funding.
Our Town is broke thanks to these people or the self appointed King of Hammonton who can no longer afford to cover their tracks. Thank you so much Hammonton First.
This reminds me of the movie dumb and dumber where they keep spending the money and putting IOU notes in the brief case. Remember it's not their money it's ours so why should they stop spending? They are benfiting why would they complain. With our new contractor Mayor his main goal is to find more property to build more houses so he makes more money. We are just the peasant people who always get screwed and foot the bill. Our town hall is dirty because they got rid of the cleaning people the building is falling apart. I'll be surprised if this building lasts 5 years! How despirate are they if they are trying to save pennies?
Hammonton needs to cut employees like the mayor in Robbinsville. He cut 10 employees out of 127 employees. Made 5 full time people, part-timers. Cut everyone elses salaries 1% or 2%.
Only the police officeirs were left untouched. Hammonton needs to follow this mayor and be ahead of the curve reducing expenses.
Kudos to the mayor of Robbinsville for really balancing his local budget.
what are going to cut? Highway department so our streets NEVER get cleaned and trash gets picked up once a month.
Those are our biggest departments Police and Highway. Highway barely manages because HF has them running around doing non-highway stuff.
There's the clerks office and coding office but they are not big enough to make a dent in the budget.
We need to cut the HFprojects like the Boyer Avenue Fields and the canoe club that no one wanted. But then HF couldn't make snazzy videos.
I find it incredible that HF takes videos without consent of people standing on Bellevue Avenue for a parade that was done by volunteers not their political party. They do so to make it look like to people are cheering for Hammonton First. They then use these videos to show in their HQ and to show to Third Party Organizations around the country.
Still haven't seen a plow down my street but I've seen three people get stuck and have to dig out already. I hope school is called off for tomorrow. The drivers can't drive in the sunshine without hitting things let alone this mess.
How do you like all the change orders on the boat house ...maybe Gabe and Gina can show up there and ask why... after they told everone there were no change orders on the project....funny isn't it......that paper is FULL of LIES....where are all the grants the Mayor said he built the place with???/LIE... LIE...LIE ...oh and by the way thank Hammonton First and especially Sammy Rodio for the fine job they did on the raods this past weekend....NOT.....its all good, just keep telling yourself that ....don't worry be happy.... Santa coming to town..........he will fix everything....
I don't mean to bust a bubble but Basin Rd. water ext. was partially funded by the state. If town council wants to steal Hammonton's money to rob peter and pay paul but the states money, I'm not so sure even if your Hammonton First if that is smart. Hey by the way when Hammonton First went after the Chief didn't the Chief say that if he choose to sue the town he would donate it. I beieve it was a CLEAR $60,000.00 wow I bet the food shelters and pantries could use a little extra. When he did the Kessler Christmas toy drive he delegated out to good generous people, and he got the credit.
I don't mean to bust a bubble but Basin Rd. water ext. was partially funded by the state. If town council wants to steal Hammonton's money to rob peter and pay paul but the states money, I'm not so sure even if your Hammonton First if that is smart. Hey by the way when Hammonton First went after the Chief didn't the Chief say that if he choose to sue the town he would donate it. I beieve it was a CLEAR $60,000.00 wow I bet the food shelters and pantries could use a little extra. When he did the Kessler Christmas toy drive he delegated out to good generous people, and he got the credit.
It's ironic that the water and sewer ends right at Union Road for Oak, Pine and Basin when just North of that, those residents are more likely to have contaminated water because of Tuckahoe Turf Farm.
