| Author | Message | ||
     Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 999 Registered: 5-2001 |
Vic and Jerry: Much thanks for the update and the swift action on the part of the TC. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 343 Registered: 6-2001 |
Jerry and Vic, Thank you for the update - I was walking through the park the other day with a friend who works for an engineering construction comany. She made the observation that the site looked as if it were abandoned by the company and wouldn't be surprised if the company doing the work was bankrupt. She also made an observation that the work which has been done to date has been done incorrectly - in that the seams between the blocks have not properly been sealed - water will seep in over the years and eventually push the blocks back out of the earth. Before any more work is done on this project, will the bonding company be able to fix this if it is a problem and redo the work? Or, will they simply just finish the work that has already been started? | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 766 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks for responding. (ps. I started this thread back in June, but who's counting?!;)) Are you sure about the 92%? Unless the new wall on the east side is not going to go any further, it looks like much more has to be done. Also, if we wait til spring to plant, you may want to consider the end of March/1st of April to capitalize on all spring rain possible. Just my 2 cents! | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 368 Registered: 6-2001 |
Vic, Any movement forward in this area? | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 791 Registered: 5-2001 |
The pile of dirt has been moved so the pathway on the library side towards the fields has been cleaned up. May I add that it would be an excellent/perfect time to reseed this area. A little tilling, top soil then seed...NOW! THen we'll have a nice blanket of grass next spring. Vic- it is NOT to late for grass seeding. (In fact, I predict a long warm fall!) Can't our guys do this? Also, like Marie, I'm curious about the bonding company etc. oh, and the rats! There are many nests of these yucky varmints as can be discovered by the presence of snail shells at the mouth of the nests. These are large water rats, I guess they're diving to the bottom of the duck pond for their escargo. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 1041 Registered: 5-2001 |
We are already into the hurricane season. Will the flood control work already started be able withstand a severe storm or may all that work have to be redone? | ||
| vicdeluca Citizen Username: Vicdeluca Post Number: 167 Registered: 5-2001 |
Our DPW cleaned up the area and moved the dirt. We have bids in regarding landscaping but I am not sure how much can be done this year. That will be a judgement call by the town engineer and DPW personnel. We are in touch with the bonding company to make sure they move on this quickly. The work can withstand a severe storm. We have filled in the hole on a temporary basis and this will provide some stability. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 793 Registered: 5-2001 |
thanks. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 375 Registered: 6-2001 |
Vic, Does Doug Ball have an opinion of the state of the work that has been completed to date? Is he able to determine whether this work will have to be redone? | ||
| Jerry Ryan Citizen Username: Gerardryan Post Number: 973 Registered: 5-2001 |
I believe he said that it would just have to be finished, at the last TC meeting. We'll ask him again to be sure. | ||
| eb1154 Citizen Username: Eb1154 Post Number: 226 Registered: 5-2001 |
The joints may have been left open a little so that the water behind the wall can pass though the wall. If there isn't any kind of a weep hole in the wall the pressure of the water behind the wall will cause it to collapse. | ||
| fickle Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 854 Registered: 5-2001 |
The fencing that was put up along the walkway behind the library has been trampled and is all over the ground. I'm not sure why it was put up there to begin with (keep people out of the mud?) but it is only serving to trip people at this point. Also, the walkway has a low point where there is always a huge puddle of water. With the first freeze, this will be a mini ice rink. Unfortunately, I don't think that the many commuters who walk this path will be donning ice skates. Can something be done to correct this potentially hazardous situation before it is too late? | ||
| Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 801 Registered: 5-2001  |
This project has long been a glaring example of municipal incompetence and negligence. Memorial Park should be Maplewood's openspace jewel, but it has been allowed to become a hazardous eyesore. Those who recently condemned dog-owners for "spoiling the park" now have no one else to point to but the TC. Its members, and those who voted for them, should look to the mess in Memorial Park as a yardstick by which to measure the TC's resolve, managerial ability, and, ultimately, its credibility. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 614 Registered: 9-2001 |
Soda, Those are fighting words! I hope no one knows who you are? Oh well, as long as YOU brought it up... I agree, the park is not looking good. Sure, after this thread they cleaned up a little, but one only had to take a look at the condition of the lobby in town hall this year to see how the TC feels about the importance of neatness in our town. Do you know that old story about first impressions? Look, I'm not trying to be a wise guy here, but what is one to think when walking up to, or into someone’s home that is cluttered, messy, or in need of repair? I can't speak for Fred and Ian, but during the past year the candidates got to see parts of our town we never would have but for running for office. Some of the homes, the parks, the roads, the schools, the business districts, and of course our own town hall. It was a real eye opener, and let me be kind and just say there is much work to do... Yes, they had to empty rooms out in town hall to make changes to some offices. A week, a month, a year? How long, and to what cost? Was it really necessary to junk up the entrance to our town hall? Would you do the same to the entrance hall in your own home? How about at least a sign with an explanation? | ||
| Timmeh Citizen Username: Timmeh Post Number: 563 Registered: 1-2002  |
I guess Art is running in 2003... | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 616 Registered: 9-2001 |
Timmeh, Keep guessing... Art is always interested in whatever is best for Maplewood. Art is still a Conservative, still a Republican, and has no plans to change, to run for, run to, or run away from anything. The many issues I raised during the campaign were real. Therefore, our party hopefully will be able to work with members of the TC, while importantly following through on a wide variety of things that we believe will make a positive difference in our community. BTW, in case some of you out there believe Maplewood, and New Jersey is forever lost to the Democratic party, have heart. The Maplewood Republican County Committe is looking for residents who are interested in becoming involved. Please feel free to contact me. | ||
| eb1154 Citizen Username: Eb1154 Post Number: 245 Registered: 5-2001 |
Soda and Art, Give me a break already. You want the work done but you don't want to see the mess while the work is being done. And you want it without any additional expense. The mess at the park is not the TC's fault, the contractor went belly-up. Art, being that you ran for the TC I would think that you would know about the law which states the Township has to go with the lowest bidder. You should also know how long it takes to clear up legal matters, and that is what it is now. The work at the Town Hall is being done by those lazy Public Works guys who do nothing all day. Mind you these are the same three (yes I said three) guys who are responsible for the up keep of all the buildings in town. It was decided that this job would be done in house to save TAX DOllARS, so if the job is taking a little longer than you would like, I suggest you come up with a way to get it done faster and cheaper. Should they have hired a contractor? Should they hire some more DPW workers? Should they have broken the law and hired a contractor with a higher bid? | ||
| cfa Citizen Username: Cfa Post Number: 718 Registered: 5-2001 |
Why not have a volunteer day some weekend? Those who are tired of looking at it the way it is will be first in line to volunteer. | ||
| fickle Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 857 Registered: 5-2001 |
Quit bickering. There is a hazard on this walkway as I stated above, and I just thought that it would be good to bring it to the attention of someone "official" in Maplewood. Vic? Jerry? Dave? | ||
| galileo Citizen Username: Galileo Post Number: 76 Registered: 7-2001 |
I was not aware that the TC has to take the lowest bid. So often the lowest bid doesn't do the best work. I was looking at the wall the other day. The east side by Oakview will certainly have to be done over. It looks like the workers haven't a clue. You pay for what you get. |
