Government

Seaside Park Commits $3.6M to Water Tower Maintenance, Well Replacement Projects

by
Daniel Nee
October 27, 2023

Seaside Park officials on Thursday voted in favor of appropriating funds for two projects required to maintain borough infrastructure.

The borough council unanimously voted to fund two bond ordinances for the projects. First, a $2.6 million bond to establish a new well and treatment facility that will connect to the underground aquifer to provide water for the municipal water utility. The project will include design, testing, permitting and construction of a well to replace a previous one. The $2.6 million figure is an estimate based on an engineer’s review, meaning it is not a set price for the work – simply the maximum amount of funds the borough will authorize to borrow.

The Seaside Park water tower at Decatur Avenue prior to maintenance, Oct. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

“We’ve had one estimate from an engineer, and this particular firm has done well and works well with our water department,” said Councilman Frank “Fritz” McHugh. “We asked them for a quote and that’s what this number is based on.”

The borough will also move ahead with a project to perform maintenance on the northern water tower on Decatur Avenue, pictured in the video and photographs embedded in this story.

While the project will include the repainting of the exterior of the tank, the bulk of the work occurs inside the tank itself.

“They’re going to go over the inside, check for leaks, get rid of the rust and paint it,” said McHugh. “Then they’re going to paint the outside too. We just have to find the right vendor to do it.”

Painting the interior of the tank is, arguably, more important than its exterior painting since a barrier coat protects the integrity of the tank and the water inside it. The water, of course, is treated before reaching residents’ homes. Several years ago, a similar project was performed on the southern water tower near 13th Avenue.

The Seaside Park water tower at Decatur Avenue prior to maintenance, Oct. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

“This one doesn’t have the antennas on it, so it should be more simple,” said McHugh, noting that the borough has been setting money aside for the project in anticipation of the work.

The bond ordinance set aside a maximum of $1,041,000 for the water tower project.

Both ordinances were introduced on first reading Thursday night; a public hearing and second vote is required before final adoption, which normally occurs at the council’s next meeting.