Middletown Township Board of Supervisors approved a bid to install 24 ADA-compliant curb ramps in one neighborhood.
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The supervisors voted 4-1 Monday evening to award the $186,200 contract to Marino Corporation, the second-lowest bidder.
The lowest bid of $179,000 was disqualified for not fully complying with the township’s responsible contractor ordinance, officials said.
Assistant Township Manager Nick Valla explained the ordinance requires bidders to participate in apprenticeship programs for specific craft trades needed for the project.
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“These are certifications, educational programs that these workers have to go through,” said Township Solicitor James Esposito. “It kind of almost shows if you have those certifications, those apprenticeships, you’re technically more qualified.”
The project will install the 24 ramps at about 10 intersections in the Cobalt Ridge neighborhood using $175,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds. However, the township must cover the $11,200 overage plus an estimated $30,000 to $35,000 in engineering costs from its capital fund. The engineering costs can’t be covered using grant funds.
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Supervisor Dana Kane expressed concern about the additional expense.
“This is an extra $50,000 over budget, essentially,” she said.
Valla stated that delaying the project could jeopardize future grant funding and push construction to next spring. He noted costs would likely continue rising.
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Supervisor Dana Kane cast the lone dissenting vote, citing budget constraints and issues with the responsible contractor ordinance.
“We’re rejecting a contractor that I’ve seen that works with other municipalities,” Kane said. “We should have put a bid in that was within the range of the grant.”
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The township is required to install the ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Construction is expected to begin this fall.
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