Council calls for do-over on new concession stands

JACKSON - Township Council members may be taking a second look at construction plans and bids for concession facilities that have been planned at themunicipal playing fields at the Jackson Justice Complex, Jackson Drive.

MayorMark Seda is calling for new bids after determining that cooking facilities - which are the most expensive part of the bid at the proposed concession stands and restrooms- may not be necessary.

"Mayor Seda is recommending that the council reject the bids for the concession stands and bathrooms," municipal clerk AnnMarie Eden said at the Feb. 26 council meeting. "He suggested that we readvertise the same."

Eden said this was based on a decision to substantially revise the plans for the concession facilities, which can be redone according to New Jersey state statute.

Bids from three firms were received on Jan. 15, according to township officials.

Pollard Construction submitted a bid of $1,176,000 to construct two concession stands at the Justice Complex. Officials said that bid would be rejected due a problem with the firm's paperwork.

Straight Edge Construction submitted a bid of $725,401 to construct the main concession stand and $558,745 to construct the second concession stand. The total amount is $1,284,146.

J.W.T. Excavating submitted a bid of $1,985,726 to build two concession stands.

The township purchasing agent recommended that if the council decided to move forward with the project that it award the bid to Straight Edge Construction.

Seda explained that the concession stands to be built at the Justice Complex were part of an appropriation that was made last year in conjunction with new playing fields.

But, he said, "When we went out to bid there was some sort of confusion. The overall expense within the building [was too high]. The larger portion of the expense went to cooking within the building, which we don't do at any of the concession stands."

The problemis that cooking in the building would cause an overall expense for an exhaust system and a fire suppression system, the mayor said.

"I need to go back and take a look at whether it's worthwhile to entertain cooking or remove the cooking," Seda said. "Either way we will have to change the contract by more than 20 percent and therefore I recommend that we reject the bid (that was received) and go back and take a look to see if we can downsize that project."

A motion to reject and readvertise was made by council President Ann Updegrave and the council voted 4-0 to reject the bid and readvertise the project. Councilman Angelo Stallone was not present at the meeting.

In other business, officials announced that Steven Eisenstein will replace Eric Schubiger as Jackson's director of recreation and senior services. Schubiger had worked in that position since April 2007.

- Dave Benjamin