A section of North Brunswick Municipal Complex is expected to open in the fall
Susan Loyer
MyCentralJersey.com
NORTH BRUNSWICK – Township officials are hoping a section of the township’s municipal complex, which remains closed because of flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida more than 18 months ago, will reopen this fall.
The rest of the building could reopen in early 2024, said Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack.
The first floor of the police department, the main lobby and the courtroom at the complex on Hermann Road sustained extensive flood damage in the record-setting rainstorm, forcing the relocation of offices and the police department.
Some township offices are operating out of trailers at the site, while others have been moved to other locations.
Womack said the township does not have an exact cost for repairs, but he estimated damage to be in the multi-millions dollar range.
Womack said he is hoping most, if not all of the cost will be paid for by insurance and FEMA.
On Jan. 24, township officials are scheduled to meet with the project managers, said Township Business Administrator Justine Progebin, who is overseeing the work.
“The township will receive a recommendation and direction for the next stage of active restoration efforts at the end of the month,” Progebin said.
Managing the restoration are CME Associates, concentrating on the structural integrity of the building; T&M Associates, responsible for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing aspects of the boiler room; Hillmann Consulting, focusing on the environmental integrity of the building; and USA Architects, which is responsible for restoration and possible improvements to the building.
In addition, BDO USA is assisting the township in reviewing all insurance claims and navigating the FEMA claim, Progebin said.
“FEMA has been very, very helpful, but that’s a slow process and when you have to navigate with your insurance company and with FEMA you try to make sure everybody is on the same page so we don’t use a single taxpayer dollar that we don’t have to use,” Womack said. “That’s taking a long time. We’ve been very careful. We don’t want to spend one dollar of taxpayer money if we don’t have to.”
Parts for the mechanical room have all been ordered, Progebin said. The elevators are being brought to the site and the contract for roof repairs has been awarded, she added.
“They are looking at putting the elevators in sometime in March,” she said. “In May, they will be working on the roof, which should be completed in July.”
After the mechanical room, elevators and roof are done, workers can move forward with the rest of the restoration, Progebin said.
In addition, while the building is closed, the township is considering making enhancements to the complex, which may include relocating the nearby senior center to the municipal complex.
“We’re hoping to make a greatly enhanced spot in the complex for our senior citizens,” Womack said.
The municipal building would serve as a community center offering senior activities on a daily basis, Progebin said. In addition, she said, the space could be used as an emergency center, if necessary.
“It would be able to transition on a moment’s notice to an emergency facility that can be used as a shelter,” Progebin said. “While the building is closed, the township is hoping to take the opportunity to do this and deliver the best possible outcome with no financial impact to the taxpayers.”
The township solicited bids for grant writers to help secure funding for the enhancements.
Progebin said the township does have capital funding for the seniors, as well as about $400,000 in a trust fund that is earmarked for the senior center.
“Instead of using that money to update the existing building, we’re hoping to redirect the money to give them the best possible space, rather than trying to fix their current spot,” she said.
After Sandy, the township received a $500,000 grant to install a full generator to run the municipal complex.
“The municipal complex already has the infrastructure in place,” Progebin said. “The generator is there, the space is there and we’ve already addressed the storm water issues. Building a stand-alone resiliency facility that doesn’t get used regularly seems wasteful. This seems like a much more cost-efficient plan.”
She said the plan would then free up the senior center, which could possibly be used as a neighborhood youth civic center, but the proposed plans are still under discussion.
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New Landlord Registration Requirements – effective January 1, 2023
The State of New Jersey has adopted two (2) new laws that require municipalities to enforce regulations for landlords who maintain rental properties. Landlords are now required by these new laws to:
▪ Maintain certain liability insurance policies.
▪ Provide a valid lead-free certification for all homes built during
or prior to 1978.
The Township of North Brunswick will begin to enforce these new registration requirements effective January 1, 2023.
All property owners who seek to register as landlords, all landlords who are renewing their registrations, and all landlords who seek a rental inspection at a change of tenancy, must comply with these new regulations and submit both certifications to the township as the State of New Jersey now requires by law.
Property owners should consult with an insurance professional and
or a lead-based paint evaluation contractor as required to satisfy these new registration requirements.
NEW LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL RENTAL PROPERTIES
The owner of a rental unit or multi-family home which is four or fewer units, one of which is owner-occupied, shall annually provide to the township a certificate of insurance that maintains liability insurance in an amount of no less than $300,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence.
Otherwise, the owner of a rental unit or multi-family home shall annually provide to the township a certificate of insurance that maintains liability insurance in an amount of no less than $500,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence.
A valid certificate of insurance must be submitted at the time of submitting a landlord registration or renewal, or seeking a rental inspection for a change of tenancy.
NEW LANDLORD VALID LEAD-SAFE CERTIFICIATION REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO STATE OF NEW JERSEY P.L. 2021, CHAPTER 182
All landlords of single family, two-family, and multi-family homes constructed prior to 1978 are required to provide to the township a valid lead-safe certification affirming the absence of lead-based paint hazards. The lead evaluation contractor must be certified to provide lead paint inspection services by the NJ Department of Community Affairs.
A valid lead-safe certification must be submitted at the time of submitting a landlord registration or renewal, or seeking a rental inspection for a change of tenancy.
A state issued list of certified lead abatement contractors can be found here:
https://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lead/ld_abat_c.pdf
If a lead evaluation contractor finds that a lead-based paint hazard exists in a dwelling unit upon conducting an inspection, then the owner of the dwelling unit shall remediate the lead-based paint hazard by using abatement or lead-based paint hazard control methods, approved in accordance with the provisions of the “Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act,” P.L.2003, c.311 (C.52:27D-437.1 et al.). Upon the remediation of the lead-based paint hazard, the lead evaluation contractor or permanent local agency shall conduct an additional inspection of the unit to certify that the hazard no longer
exists and then provide that certification to the township.
NBTHS Seniors honored as 2022 Young Adult Peer Advocate Award Recipients
North Brunswick Township High School seniors Jalynn Lewter and Dylan Patel were honored at the December 12 Township Council Meeting as recipients of the 2022 Young Adult Peer Advocate Award.
The award was presented by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Jalynn’s proclamation reads:
Jalynn has been described by her school counselor as selfless, insightful, articulate, ambitious, responsible, humble, energetic and intelligent with impeccable character and work ethic. Jalynn is a one in a million student who leave an enduring impression at the institute lucky enough to have her attend.
Jalynn’s transcript reflects her ability to manage a demanding work load by the number of Honors and Advance Placement courses she has taken with a 3.9 GPA. Jalynn is graduating in the top 30% of the five hundred students in the class of 2023.
Jalynn’s activism, leadership and extracurriculars excel above and beyond many students. Jalynn took it upon herself to meet with her principal to discuss racial awareness and offer solution to improve school awareness. She proposed the idea of a Black History in America class and drafted the curriculum for the subject matter. The Board of Education approved the class, and it soon became one of the most popular social studies electives offered. Jalynn joined the Principal’s Student Advisory Board and has contributed to its meetings by presenting ideas such as microaggression by forming small group discussions with students and staff. Jalynn is a member of the Student Leader of Alphabet Alliance and Black Cultural Alliance Member.
Jalynn is the President of the NBTHS Alchemist, has been an active member throughout her high school years performing the in the Fall play, the Theatre Review and Spring Musicals, in which Jalynn took the leading role because of her natural talent as an actor and singer.
Jalynn has a strong passion for making a positive difference for students around her, an exceptional gifted student that always has the best interest of others in all she does.
Dylan’s proclamation reads:
Dylan is a Senior at North Brunswick Township High School with a 4.5 GPA, which has earned Dylan a spot in the top 5% of his graduating Class of 2023. Dylan is a National Honor Society inductee and World Language Honor Society inductee.
Dylan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to his community and outside organizations. Dylan is a four-year member of the NBTHS Varsity Tennis Team and currently serves as the captain. Dylan is dedicated to the Student Government Organization and a member of the Executive Committee. Dylan works on fundraising drives for NBTHS throughout the year. He is a four-year member and Treasurer of the Key Club , PUSH and the NBTHS Raiders Robotics. He constructed a robot to compete at the national level. Dylan serves as a group leader for PUSH.
Dylan is a tutor for elementary students emphasizing the importance of engineering and helping to create STEM based projects in the district’s elementary schools. The outcome was a 92.3% change in grades for the students which allowed a better understanding in applying math and science skills.
Dylan volunteers with the North Brunswick Humane Society by organizing donations for the animal shelter. Dylan volunteers his time with the North Brunswick Municipal Alliance Committee with outreach projects throughout the year, creating a positive difference for others.
Dylan is an exceptional student leader and person, always is trying to make our community the best it can be by his involvement and efforts. Dylan is respected and well liked amongst his peers.
