Politics & Government
Grants Help Hopatcong With Roadwork, Walking Path
Monies would also help fund a Bayview well repair.
Hopatcong Borough received two grants from the state Department of Transportation that will allow for the paving of Durban Avenue, Hopatchung Avenue and afford the construction of the Modick Park walking path.
According to Borough Administrator Robert Elia, Hopatcong was the only Sussex County town to receive two such grants.
One grant for $200,000 is for the repaving of Durban Avenue, and the second is $268,893 for the second phase of paving on Hopatchung Avenue and the construction of a walking path at Modick Park.
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The council discussed the path earlier this year and said it would allow walkers and mothers with strollers to more safely use the park, which is at the busy intersection of Hopatchung Avenue and Lakeside Boulevard.
Councilman Richard Bunce said the addition of state funds for these projects reduces the amount of money the borough would have to contribute.
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In a related item, the council awarded a contract to Lakeside Construction for work to bring back to service the well at Bayview Avenue.
Borough Administrator Robert Elia said the borough and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have an agreement about the scope of work at the Bayview well. The EPA pays 55 percent of the cost and the borough pays the remaining 45 percent.
Councilman Richard Bunce said the Bayview well is not in operation. This contract will help bring the well back into production. Adding Bayview and another well back on line would add 150 gallons of water a minute to the system, he said.
Bunce also said the water utility, in a trial effort, is mailing letters to about 200 residents asking if they had considered joining the public water system.
Bunce said the borough has been approached by some residents asking about hooking into the system.
Responses to the letters would give the water utility an idea where perhaps groups of homeowners seeking town water are located. Adding a group of homes in the same area at the same time spreads the cost of extending the main, Bunce said.
“It is good for them and good for the water system,” he said.
Bunce has noted previously that the borough ahs been making steady improvements to the public water system and is now able to add customers.
