Community Update

The vast majority of comments that have been received in the Borough Offices and to many of us, in person outside of the office have been extremely positive. The Engineers and our Contractor have performed admirably and despite the delays that were encountered during the project, the dams have been designed, approved, permitted and constructed in less than two years. As a point of reference, the Borough rebuilt the Mishemokwa Dam and Ballinger Dam several years ago and both dams took almost three years to complete. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection gave us their final approval on Friday, August 3, 2007. As part of the approval, the DEP Engineers expressed their dismay at the pace in which we allowed water to be impounded in Lower Aetna Lake and specifically requir ed us to fill the Upper Lake at a slower pace. The actual construction of the dams requires that work be done in a sequential manner and it is being done properly even if not as quickly as we all would want. The contractor has submitted documentation to our Engineers requesting an extension of the completion date. This information is under review and decision is expected shortly. This will drive any decision about liquidated damages and a recommendation will be submitted to Borough Council by our Engineer. The Upper Lake is being filled now and this will enable us to reconstitute both the Aetnas and the Mirror Lakes within the next co uple of weeks.

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Richard J. Knight
Borough Manager / Clerk
Medford Lakes, NJ 08055