October 8th update–Pre-bid meeting held with dredging companies in Avalon Borough Hall

Avalon Borough officials held a pre-bid meeting at Borough Hall on Wednesday, October 7th to discuss the upcoming dredging project in Avalon. Four companies attended the meeting to learn more about the project, the bid specs, and the expectations of the Borough to dredge private boat slips in the project area. Attendees were also instructed that the Borough expects the winning bidder to negotiate fairly with private boat slip owners when it comes time to pass by their properties. Bids will be opened on Friday, October 17th, at 10:00am with an expectation that Council may award the contract at its Wednesday, October 22nd meeting at 7:00pm. A Notice to Proceed will be issued within four days of the award of the contract, with a three-week mobilization period before dredging begins this fall. Both Princeton Harbor in Avalon and Sterbeck Harbor in Middle Township are included in Phase One of the project. It is anticipated that Princeton Harbor will be dredged first with the goal of completing Princeton Harbor by December 31st, 2014. If the Harbor is not completed, Avalon may finish the Harbor next year, or petition agencies for permission to dredge a few weeks into the winter flounder season; there are no guarantees that request would be granted by state and federal agencies.

Please remember, state and federal agencies prohibit any dredging to occur between January 1st through June 30th (new restriction) of any year due to the winter flounder restricton and anadromous fish restriction; there is also a dredging restriction imposed by the state from March 15th through September 15th for nesting birds. Due to the short window of time to dredge in New Jersey (September 15th through December 31st), it is possible this project may extend into 2016.