November 28, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9 Mahwah Construction projects planned for coming year by Frank J. McMahon Various construction projects are being planned in the Township of Mahwah next year according to Michael Kelly, the township’s professional engineer. Kelly advised the township council at a recent public meeting that Bergen County has completed an inspection of the East Ramapo Avenue bridge which covers the continuation of the Masonicus Brook from Winters Pond and, based on its report and the expressed concerns of the township about the bridge, the county will be seeking proposals for the rehabilitation of that structure. Kelly also reported that the preliminary alignment of the intersections of Island Road and East and West Ramapo avenues has been reviewed with the county, which is in the process of proceeding with the design of the project. Plans include the installation traffic signals at both intersections. He noted, however, that work on this project is not expected to start prior to the fall of 2013. The bus shelter that was to be installed at the Franklin Turnpike and Miller Road intersection as part of the township’s 2010 road improvement program has been delayed, according to Kelly, because of the county’s desire to proceed with traffic signal improvements at that intersection. “This work will be coordinated with the county’s intersection work, which the county is in the process of designing,” Kelly said. The design work for the West Airmount Road drainage improvement has been completed, Kelly advised, and the application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has been submitted. Approval from the NJDEP is expected by Jan. 31, 2013. Bids for the project will be advertised in March and are expected to be received in April, with the contract for the project awarded by May 2, 2013. Kelly said the preliminary work on the construction will begin next June and will require that the road be closed for about two months once the schools are closed for the summer. He said the project could be completed by the end of August before the schools reopen for the 201314 school year. In addition, Kelly reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is in the process of preparing drafts of updated FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and agreed to include the Masonicus Brook in this project. He said the current study includes the Ho-Ho-Kus and Ramsey brooks, and the draft maps are expected to be submitted to the municipalities by the end of this year. At that point, the municipality would conduct a review and provide comments to FEMA. “We recommend that the affected property owners be made aware of the proposed study during the review period,” Kelly said. The engineer also advised that the future study will include the Masonicus Brook and the Mahwah and Ramapo rivers. Draft maps are expected by the end of 2012 or the spring of 2013, with maps being adopted in 2013. He told the council he would be meeting with FEMA to ensure that the necessary revisions are made to the Masonicus Brook based on the flood study prepared by his office. He added that the removal of the dredged material from Winters Pond is expected to be completed this month and that the township’s police department is working with the Rutgers Transportation Safety Resource Center to have a road safety audit performed on the Campgaw Road and Seminary Drive intersection. His engineering firm will provide their services as needed. Holiday helpers The Mahwah Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Local 143 recently donated of $1,500 to the Center for Food Action in Mahwah in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday. Pictured are members of Mahwah PBA Local 143 delivering a check to William James of the Center for Food Action.