Washington Township Looking to Repave Roads

Washington Township officials are looking to begin repaving local streets for the first time in about 15 years.

Officials said during their meeting this week that they may begin a system similar to the one used by Westwood, in which a few roads are milled and repaved each year.

Township engineer Paul Azzolina listed Sussex Road, Morgan Court, Grace Court and sections of Ridgewood Road North, Hoover Avenue and Crest Place as priorities for work, which could start as soon as next spring.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said the town is also applying for a Department of Transportation grant to pay for repaving Colonial Boulevard and that they are trying to get United Water to pay for work on Beech Street.

Officials may join a road repaving co-op with Westwood and other area towns, but Councilman Glenn Beckmeyer said the co-op's prices may not be better than what they could get alone. The project will likely come at a high cost, either way. Officials estimated it would take millions to repave the whole town and they will need to decide whether to bond for the money or put the whole amount in the budget each year.

"It's a lot of money," Councilman Steve Cascio said. "I don't want to put an undue burden on the taxpayer."

Azzolina also suggested putting about $10,000 toward fixing some township roads where standing water began to collect since they were last repaved.

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