In the weeks following the last bid award necessary to complete the reconstruction work at the Schenck Farmstead, the township is also preparing to work on the bathrooms at the site.
At the time of the contract approval with Kunzman Construction to take care of the final work related to the reconstruction of the school house and wagon house located at the site, officials also said that the township had enough money to cover the installation of the bathrooms because the bids for the closeout work came back at a lower price than expected.
Now, the Township Council has approved retaining Kyle Van Dyke and Associates, in a $16,700 contract, for architectural services for the restroom project. The professional services agreement was approved at the September 7 meeting.
The council endorsed a Master Plan for the farmstead, located off Southfield Road, in 2008. The site’s structures date from the 1740s to the early 1900s, and officials have hoped it would serve as a tool for educating residents about the town’s agricultural roots, as well as serve as the home base for the township’s historical society.
Also during the September 7 meeting, the council approved a change order to the contract with NJ Barn Company for an increase of $5,177.16 for the repair and re-assembly of the Schenck Farm Wagon (Carriage) House timberframe. The contract, originally approved last October for $45,000, is now worth a total $50,177.16.