Completion in sight for municipal building

Sparta - After more than a year of on-again, off-again progress, a summer completion of the new municipal building appears possible. But, the township’s purchaser isn’t about to do or say anything that could blow the house down just yet. Anthony Imbimbo knows better. Past experience tells him so. “I feel confident about the way it (the work) is moving,” said Imbimbo “They’re inside now and have a good climate to work indoors. So things can move along. I’m hoping to finish as soon as possible, but realistically it’s going to take a couple of months.” Trade laborers, including carpenters and electricians, are beginning to “ramp-up” to complete interior work on the building, which has been plagued by months of delays, dust, mold and debris after the first contractor was dismissed from the $5.2 million project this past spring. “We should see a steady flow of the labor force within the next couple of weeks, if all goes well,” said Imbimbo. Sparta Township Manager Henry Underhill said Atlantic Mutual, the bonding agent responsible for overseeing the project has signed a contractor for the interior of the building. Imbimbo expects documentation of this agreement to reach town hall by the end of this week, although he would not release the name of the contractor. Meanwhile, crews are preparing for interior furnishings including tiling and walls, he said. Underhill said a special contractor applied a “fogging” agent that eliminated the persistent mold problem that had developed inside the facility during the labor stoppage. In the past, Underhill has insisted that the township will not be financially liable for any construction expenses or damages caused by the delays. The township attorney said some liens against the original contractor are being satisfied. “We do have some leverage that we will not release any money from Sparta Township until the mechanics’ liens have been met,” said Tom Ryan. “Unfortunately for us, it has not produced any documentation.” Once transition to the new building is completed, the existing facility will be demolished. Imbimbo said the township has already bid out specifications for the work, which is still expected to cost around $100,000 despite the delays. “I still think we can get it (demolition) done at a reasonable price,” he said. “It all depends on the time, demands on the building trade, and circumstances.” Integrated Construction Enterprises, a New Jersey-certified company experienced in government and public arenas, was chosen as the new contractor for the exterior of the building, which is designed to house the township’s administrative offices and police department. The company has installed scaffolding, removed debris and sealed up the building for the winter and the commencement of interior work. Atlantic Mutual Insurance assumed financial responsibility for the project in July, but negotiations on a new contractor had routinely broken down. Atlantic Mutual had been meticulously seeking a replacement contractor since Horizon Contracting of Union County stopped working on the project more than nine months ago. Construction on the project had begun in the spring of 2004 and was scheduled for completion in November of that year. Delays in construction have forced township employees to endure a faulty heating system, leaking roof when it rained, termites, and overcrowding in the existing building for the past two winters. The township is using boiler installed on a trailer parked on the side of the existing facility to administer heat inside the 100-year-old working building. Underhill said temporary heating is costing $2,500 a month, but he expects that fee to be forwarded to the bonding company. “I hear a lot of the negatives about the project being delayed,” said Imbimbo. “But, we were hit with something we couldn’t do anything about. Personally, it’s difficult because you want to move as quickly as you can. Sitting on your hands is not the most enjoyable thing to do.” When completed, Underhill said the new 35,000 square-foot municipal building would be twice its original size featuring a new security system; a larger area for the police department; an expanded courtroom with capacity to seat 100; and offer residents “one-stop shopping” for municipal services.