Voters to decide on funds for new buildings

The Nov. 7 ballot in Byram includes a question asking voters whether they support or oppose a bond ordinance to finance about $9.7 million for construction of a new municipal building and police headquarters to replace the current structures housing township operations.

If a majority of voters approve, Byram officials would seek bids from companies for two standalone buildings that would be connected by a walkway.

The police building, with about 5,237 square feet, would include a sally port, which is effectively a garage bay that allows a police car to pull in, close the garage door, then securely transport a prisoner to and from a police car without fear of escape.

Mayor Alex Rubenstein said the police do not have a sally port now. The department has been operating largely out of temporary trailers installed in the early 1970s that are not up to code, multiple township officials said.

“Truth be told, we are not current with state-mandated codes in our police department,” said Councilwoman Cris Franco, who is running for re-election this year. “As a township, we have already invested $500,000 studying a remedy to our facilities problem and we have a-less-than-acceptable interrogation rooms in trailers that are not soundproof, as they are required to be.

“We have a less-than-acceptable area to store firearms and there are literally bins of evidence with water leaking in. Everything is grandfathered in or we may be be shut down. I think most residents would be appalled if they knew the conditions.”

Much of this rings hollow to fellow Councilman Harvey Roseff, who has two years remaining on his term.

“What they are asking for is basically $10 million for office space,” said Roseff, who urges residents to vote no on the Nov. 7 referendum. “There is no jail, no 911 center and no courtroom being built that drives construction cost high.

“You are being asked to approve an excessively large $9.7 million bond amount for an excessively large 17,100 square feet of office space. For the small amount of Byram employees, with a majority being part-timers or patrolmen on the road, we are being asked to pay $700,000 a year over 20 years for office space!”

Township Manager Joseph Sabatini said there are 17 employees in the police department and 20 in the administration building.

The other portion of the bond would pay for a new administration building, with about 8,052 square feet. Included is 1,773 square feet dedicated for public use, such as an assembly/meeting room, storage and a pantry kitchen.

The most recent cost estimate, according to the mayor, indicates a construction cost that should well below $9.7 million.

“However, we’ve added a $725,000 ‘owner’s contingency,’ which would be for unforeseen issues that arise during construction and ‘soft costs,’ such as $168,000 in construction management fees and $82,000 in architectural fees, Rubenstein said.

“All of these items together come to $9.66 million. We’ve rounded this up to a $9.7 million bond. As a council, we decided that instead of deciding this on our own as a five-member council, we would put this question of approving the bond to the public.”

Township officials estimate that the average homeowner would pay about $169 more in taxes annually if the referendum is approved.

“Road maintenance and improvements, capital equipment purchases, and/or your ability to pay your expenses, as well as future increases in municipal or other government taxes for existing services, should not be crowded out by excessive spending on office space,” Roseff said.

Rubenstein said the original municipal building was built about 1972 and now houses tax and finance personnel and a meeting room. “This building is grossly out of date with non-ADA-compliant bathrooms, entryways and halls.” The ADA is the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A few years later, a deal was made to acquire a number of used construction trailers from AT&T. These trailers house administration, construction, zoning and recreation employees and the police department.

“I want to be clear: This structure is a conglomeration of used, temporary construction trailers that are nearly 50 years old,” the mayor said.

If the referendum is approved, the mayor and council would seek bids for the project. If the lowest responsible bidder is within the acceptable range provided by town professionals, it will be awarded.

If the referendum is rejected, by law, according to the mayor, the township could not introduce a bond ordinance for the same purpose for two years and it would have to start making substantial repairs to the current building.