Although we have endured a few setbacks this summer during construction of the new municipal building on Route 33, I promise it will be worth the wait.
Because the legal process dictates that the low bidder wins the contract to construct the building—Scozzari Builders, Inc. in our case—Robbinsville is often at the mercy of that builder’s decisions. Construction delays are part of the process, unfortunately, and it now appears as though we may not be opening our doors at 2298 Route 33 until early September. The original completion date of the 15,000 square foot building was June 30.
Media reports in July stated that water had been allowed to enter the building through one of the interior walls. When Robbinsville officials and inspectors for the architect, Feinberg & Associates P.C. (who ultimately are in charge of overseeing the work during construction), went looking for the source of the leak they discovered a crew spraying down the stone exterior of the building and the water entering the building. Because the wrong water-proofing material was used on the masonry, the project encountered a serious delay. Needless to say, we are disappointed and very frustrated.
Although I do not expect an increase in building cost in order to repair the issue, it does mean we have to pay a few extra months of rent at One Washington Boulevard, which obviously was not part of the plan. Once the building is finally completed, I think residents will be extremely happy with the results. We could have built another building right away after being forced from our former location in 2006 on Route 130 North, but we were very patient and waited for financial conditions to improve. We are very comfortable with that decision.
Once again, I want to thank the community for standing with us and for their support, trust and confidence during this project.
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On July 14, council approved a resolution putting a proposed Open Space Tax increase of 1.5 cents (for every $100 of assessed value) onto the November election ballot. Included in your 2016 tax bill is a letter reminding residents of our intention to do so. I really hope to have your support.
One of the primary reasons we have been able to keep taxes stable and deliver two straight years of tax cuts is by limiting residential development and looking at potential open space we could use to benefit the entire community. That said, I would like residents to weigh in on the purchase and preservation of close to 400 acres—200 acres and a proposed 50 homes on Robbinsville-Edinburgh Road across from Robbinsville High School and another 189 acres that comprise the former Miry Run Golf Course. As I stated in the letter, this is not a request I make lightly. However, we are very confident this will actually save tax dollars over the long haul since we know that for every 100 homes we keep from being built the Township saves $1 million in essential services.
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Please don’t forget to come out in support our amazing police and first responders at National Night Out at 6 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Municipal Complex at 1117 Route 130 North. With everything going on across the country, they really could use that support this year.
Dave Fried is the Mayor of Robbinsville.
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