Freehold officials lay out plans for improvements

Freehold Borough

FREEHOLD - Planned improvements to Monmouth Avenue and Ann Street, and repairs to the Main Street promenade are on the calendar for 2007.

Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina told members of the Borough Council on Jan. 16 that Monmouth Avenue and Ann Street will be resurfaced at a cost of $475,000.

Main Street has brick sidewalks which are beginning to show a need for repair. Some bricks are being uprooted by trees and other bricks are becoming loose, according to Bellina. The repairs for the promenade are estimated at $15,000.

The borough expects to receive $170,000 in grant money to help pay for the combined project cost of $490,000 ($475,00 and $15,000), according to information provided by the council.

Also in 2007, officials are planning to buy a sign machine for $17,000. The sign machine will be used to make traffic signs in house, according to Bellina, who said it will take about two years to recoup the cost of purchasing the machine.

"Signs are expensive," he said, noting that it costs the borough about $10,000 per year to pay for signs ordered from outside sources.

There are also plans on tap this year to replace equipment. A new street sweeper ($145,000), leaf vacuum ($30,000) and tractor ($38,000) will be purchased to replace old equipment.

As they make plans for 2007, borough officials also have an eye on the future.

Improvements to Conover and Ward streets are planned for 2008; improvements to Murray Street, McElwaine Drive and Factory Street in 2009; improvements to Ford Avenue, Oak Street and Second Street in 2010; improvements to Schanck and Hudson streets in 2011; and improvements to Ellis Street in 2012.

Also part of the five-year plan are the following:

+ For 2008, painting the library, safety improvements to Borough Hall, safety improvements to the municipal court, the purchase of a leaf machine and the purchase of a pick-up truck.

+ For 2009, the purchase of a leaf machine, tree chipper and dump truck, and upgrading the computer system.

+ For 2010, the purchase of a new leaf machine and replacing the playground equipment at Veterans Park, Schanck Street.

+ For 2011, improvements to Veterans Park, painting Borough Hall and painting the firehouse.

+ For 2012, improvements to Com-munity Park, Otterson Road, and the purchase of a dump truck.

- Clare Marie Celano