Deals Light On Details- Berkeley Heights Council Set to Approve Another Round of Quiet Spending
-John Migueis
The Berkeley Heights Township Council is expected to vote on more than $180,000 in new spending, reject a utility privatization bid, and authorize a slew of contracts and resolutions that light up more question marks on transparency, oversight and infrastructure planning..
Sewer Sale Bid Rejected — But Future Contracting Continues
The Township is set to formally reject the only bid it received for the sale of its wastewater treatment plant. The proposal, submitted by New Jersey American Water, was deemed “non-responsive” for failing to meet capital improvement requirements laid out in the May 15, 2025 Request for Bids. A second resolution authorizes the Township to enter into a contract with National Water Main Cleaning Co. through cooperative purchasing systems for specific wastewater infrastructure work — including manhole repairs and cured-in-place pipe lining. While this contract does not represent full-scale privatization of operations, it does continue a pattern of outsourcing select sewer services.
Red Flag: No cost estimate is disclosed in the resolution for the National Water Main contract, limiting public insight into the size and scope of the deal.
$753K Paving Contract Recommended for Approval
The Council is expected to vote on a $753,870 paving contract for road improvements on Bristol Court, Balmoral Drive, and Lawrence Drive. Crossroads Paving submitted the lowest responsible bid and was recommended by Township Engineer Neglia Group. The funding will come from a mix of sources: $164,821 from Balmoral engineering appropriations, $242,358 from a prior roads ordinance, and $346,690 from the Township’s 2024 NJDOT Municipal Aid award.
Red Flag: While this contract went through a formal public bidding process it’s yet another major award steered by Neglia Group who also handles the engineering design. This raises ongoing concerns about the firm’s dual role in spec writing and vendor selection. Additionally, the Council resolution provides no details on the number of bids received, comparative costs, or selection criteria beyond “lowest responsible bidder,".
Sidewalk Engineering Contract Bypasses Public Bidding
Neglia Engineering is also in line to receive an $89,670 professional services contract for surveying, design, and permitting work related to the “Safe Streets to Transit” sidewalk improvement project.
Red Flag: Just $330 shy of the $90,000 threshold that prompts increased due diligence - the tight margin (along with the lack of a competitive bidding) will raises concerns …especially given Neglia’s past political contributions.
$30,000 Tree Watering Contract for SJC Lawncare
The Township will vote on a contract not to exceed $30,000 with SJC Lawncare, Inc. to water up to 200 trees planted in 2024 and 2025. Each tree will receive six watering visits at $25 per event. The contract was issued through a non-fair and open process, with required pay-to-play disclosures on file. It will be funded by the NJDEP RGGI Natural Climate Solutions grant.
DEP Fine Over Faulty Sewer Data — No Mention of Vendor Accountability
The Council is also expected to approve a $37,500 settlement payment to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for incorrect sewer flow reporting. The Council is also expected to approve a $37,500 settlement payment to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for incorrect sewer flow reporting. The resolution appears to confirm that the faulty sewer data originated from work performed by De Block Environmental Services, LLC.
"WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("Department")
found the Township provided inaccurate data based on the data generated by De Block
Environmental Services, LLC; and"...."
Red Flag: I couldn’t find any mention of an internal investigation, contract termination, or attempt to recoup funds from the vendor responsible for the error. Taxpayers are taking the hit on this.
Affordable Housing Set-Aside Codified at 20%
Ordinance 11-2025 is up for final adoption to align the Township’s code with its Fair Share Housing settlement. The ordinance formally establishes a 20% mandatory affordable housing set-aside for all new residential developments of five or more units. While this figure already reflects the Township’s legal obligations, this codification ensures consistency across applications.
Bid Threshold Raised to $53,000
The Council will acknowledge the new $53,000 bid threshold permitted under New Jersey law for municipalities with a Qualified Purchasing Agent. Berkeley Heights has designated Diane Sherry in that role. Contracts below this amount can now be awarded without formal bids.
Red Flag: While legal, the increased threshold could reduce oversight at a time when the Township is ramping up infrastructure spending and approving multiple professional services contracts without competitive processes. While the township is allowed to raise the threshold, it is not required to do so.
New Teamsters Contract Up for Approval
The Council is expected to vote on a five-year agreement with Teamsters Local 469 covering Department of Public Works employees. The contract includes a $5,000 base raise in 2024, followed by 2.5% annual increases plus $500 each year through 2028. A one-time bonus is available in 2026 for employees who complete Mason proficiency certification. The agreement also updates language around job classifications, CDL licensing, emergency call-outs, and leave policies. It runs retroactively from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2028.
Note: No cost analysis or budget impact summary was provided in the resolution.
$82K Contract for Littell-Lord Farmhouse Restoration Design
The Council is set to approve an $82,850 contract with Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects to prepare design and construction documents for the restoration of the Littell-Lord Farmhouse. The contract covers both interior and exterior work and is being awarded under the “professional services” exemption, meaning no competitive bids were required. Although the contract is just shy of $90,000, it was procured through a “Non-Fair and Open Process.” Required pay-to-play disclosures were submitted, but no additional documentation on long-term costs or construction timelines is included.
Red Flag: The $82,850 contract was awarded without competitive bidding. This raises concerns, especially given the contract’s size and the historic nature of the project.
Lead Testing Contract on the Agenda
The Council is set to vote on a contract with LEW Environmental Services to administer Berkeley Heights’ compliance with New Jersey’s lead-safe certification law. The vendor would notify property owners, schedule inspections, conduct visual and optional XRF testing, manage billing, and maintain a digital portal for the Township. The contract runs through the end of 2025. Notably, the Township will not incur any direct costs under the agreement — inspection fees are paid by property owners. Rates include $250 for visual inspections, $150 for XRF add-ons, and $295 for clearance checks. A mail fee of $1.10 per unit will be charged to landlords for outreach materials.
Red Flag: While this pay-by-owner structure shields the Township from costs, no public cost modeling or volume estimates have been disclosed — leaving open questions about accessibility for lower-income property owners or tenants.
Editors Note: Correction as of 7/16: During today’s meeting, the Mayor correctly noted that this contract exceeds any formal bidding threshold. The reason it did not go through competitive bidding is that the Township invoked the professional services exemption. I’m not sure why the $90,000 figure stuck in my head — it may have been a mix-up with election pay-to-play laws, where keeping contract totals under $90K can avoid triggering additional disclosure requirements. Honestly though, I couldn't find that number anywhere and I literally writing about the 53k threshold in the same article. Who the hell knows? I spent two hours looking for it.
That said, the use of professional services exemptions for contracts of this size is still a concern, and the spirit of the question remains valid. We will include both the Mayor’s response and our analysis in the meeting summary.