������������������������������ by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Borough Council has put a hold on a project that would bring barrier-free improvements to the front of the municipal building on DeKorte Drive and to the recreation center building on Vichiconti Drive. The municipal building project calls for the removal of the existing slate along with the existing steps. The entrance area would be raised, and the two columns would be shortened. The new concrete entrance would be extended to the full width of the front entrance to the building, with three barrier-free walkways to the sidewalk in front of the building. One concrete walkway would extend straight forward to the flagpole in front of the building. The flagpole would be surrounded by a rectangular area of concrete and two other concrete walkways would extend diagonally to the left and the right leading to the sidewalk. The project would also include new front doors with barrier-free door openers, a renovation of the bathrooms to make them ADA compliant, and the barrier-free improvements to the recreation building. Several years ago, the borough had received two grants totaling $150,320 from the Bergen County Office of Community Development for barrier-free improvements. Those grants were not used. Last year, the council passed a resolution approving the transfer of that grant money to the municipal building and recreation building project. Although there was some controversy over the bid process and the choice of contractor for the project, a contract to make the improvements was awarded last December when Mayor Maura DeNicola broke a tie of the four members of the council present at that meeting by voting in favor of awarding the contract. Council members Paulette Ramsey and Michael Friscia voted against the motion to award the contract, while Councilwomen Nathalie Lota and Leslie Greer voted for the contract award. In March, when the council considered a resolution to approve the design of the project, concerns were again expressed about the layout of the sidewalks and the loss of two trees where the angled sidewalks would be located that could cost $5,000 to remove and replant. The council decided against that resolution in a three to one vote, with Lota voting for it, and Ramsey and Councilmen Frank Bivona and Friscia voting against it. The contractor was told not to start the project until some design changes were made. Bivona explained at that time that he favored a review of the project to see if those concerns could be resolved. Ramsey had previously explained that she was opposed to the project because there is a possibility of litigation over the manner in which the award was granted, and she does not think the ultimate cost to the borough will justify the expense. Friscia had previously said he was opposed to the project because it will create an expense to the borough over and above the grant money and he had concerns about the design of the project. Earlier this month, the council decided to send the matter back to its Public Works Committee for further review based on the opinion of several council members that the design of the project would be aesthetically detrimental to April 28, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 21 ������������������������������������ ������������������� Council puts borough hall improvement on hold the appearance of the municipal building. Mayor DeNicola pointed out at that meeting that the purpose of the project was to make the municipal building more accessible to residents because there have been many comments from residents that it is not easily accessible and there is a problem for some entering the elevator lobby. “So there is a serious reason for wanting to do the front of the building,” she said. Ramsey voiced the opinion at that meeting, however, that it was a bad plan from the beginning and Councilmen William Smith and Bivona said the two walkways would look strange and would cause drainage problems, and the raised sidewalk that is proposed would be unsafe for wheelchairs with railings. “I understand that we are basically getting grant money to repair the front steps, but this will cause damage to the building,” Smith said. “I hate to turn it down, but we would be paying too much to get that money. So I recommend that we turn it down.” Bivona suggested there might be aesthetic railings that could be used on the main walkway leading up to the front of the building. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart advised the council that the changes being contemplated constituted a major change in the scope of the work and it would be necessary to cancel the contract that was awarded and go out to bid the whole project once again. But the consensus of the council was to send the matter back to the Public Works Committee to see if an alternate design that would eliminate their concerns could be devised. ������ ������������������������ ���������������������� ��������������� ������������� ������������������������������������ 820 Franklin Ave Franklin Lakes contempo spa ™ � � � � � � Hydration Station Lumiere Light Facial Aqua Massage Mystic Spray-On Tan UV Tanning Teeth Whitening (by Super Stop & Shop) New Spring Fashions are here! 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