Township Responses from Questions Raised in Meeting on September 22, 2019
Questions from the meeting on September 18, 2019 were sent to Olivia Olsztyn-Budry, Director – Engineering & Environmental Services Department, Bloomfield Township. Her responses to these questions are indented in quotes below:
What is the expected life of the new roads? (we know what we have is more than 50 years old, not counting all the overlays) General life expectancy is ok.
"General life expectancy is 15-20 years. The life of the road can last much longer based on regular maintenance, traffic loads, etc. There has been a significant amount of road maintenance performed in your sub over the years. I attached a reference map for your use."
How is the interest assessed and applied? Is it compounded on only the portion that remains unpaid? We had people ask about an amortization schedule.
"Attached is an example amortization schedule. The interest rate is assumed at 5%. The interest rate that is applied is the interest rate from the Bond sale plus 1%. Until the bonds are sold, this is an estimate."
Why does the township charge legal fees? What are these associated with?
"The Township incurs expenses for the review of all legal documents including the petition and Township Boar resolutions. In addition, there are Township expenses that are incurred for the sale of the bonds to fund the project."
Separately, several people were concerned about people speeding, more than they currently do, if the road are paved. Do you have any information on this topic from other subs? People asked about putting in speed bumps. They are also concerned about what happens when the plows come - how much tear up on the roads.
"I don’t have information on speeding from other subdivisions that had their roads reconstructed. Speed bumps are not permitted by the RCOC on public roads. It may be best to contact the Police Department Traffic Sargent Kim Comerford and see if they can come out for patrols. There is a possibility that the snow plows will scrape up the road during snow removal. There is nothing that can be done about this. I suggest that residents visit other subdivisions that had their roads repaved through the SAD process to get an understanding of the aging process. Here is a list of subdivisions and the dates that the roads were repaved via similar methods as what is proposed for Still Meadow:
- Overbrook (2018)
- Hickory Grove Hills (2016)
- Kentmoor (2015)
- Hickory Heights (2014)
- Knobhill (2012)
- Thorncrest (2012)"
Would it be possible to widen the front entrance to fit 3 cars across? At what cost? More like a left turn lane out to Long Lake.
"I would have to direct this question to the RCOC. This may require a traffic study, which is not included in the project at this time. This expense would be applied to the proposed SAD cost estimate, therefore increasing it. There is also limited right of way (60’) so the adjacent property owners would lose grass/landscape area."
When work is performed at the front entrance, could it be closed to traffic for some period? How long? Will access always be provided?
"For the majority of the construction, residents will have access to their homes. There may be times of delay while the contractor is working in front of a home. Access may also be limited when the asphalt is being placed if the contractor places the asphalt full width across the road. But access would be available at the beginning of the day and the end of the day. Since there is only one entrance, it is safe to assume access may be limited at times during the work day. Emergency vehicles will be able to access the subdivision regardless of the work being conducted."
Someone brought up that there was a sub in the Lone Pine and Telegraph area that had roads ground down and repaved and it did not cost the homeowners a dime. Can you tell me anything about what sub this is, and if this is true, any special circumstances?
"There are a couple of situations in this general area that this question could be referring to. The Township sells bonds to fund these road projects and can only sell bonds with a finance period of 15 years for a reconstruction project. The Township doesn’t have funds for a subdivision wide mill & overlay, nor can we sell bonds for this either. Any proposed work on the public roads must also be approved and permitted by the ROCC, since they own the roads.
- The Hills of Lone Pine has private roads. They performed a mill and overlay about 5 years ago. This project was not performed through the Township SAD process and was funded by the owners since the roads are private.
- Braes of Bloomfield III and Wood Lake Hills subdivisions had a Cape Seal done last year. This was the first time the Township used this maintenance process. This is a maintenance practice (expected life of 3-5 years. Due to the failure of the Public Safety SAD proposal, the Township is evaluating elimination of programs to reallocate revenue. Aspects of the Township’s maintenance paving program may be considered to be cut. This funding program has not been brought to the Board of Trustees yet for consideration, so until we receive further direction, I cannot confirm if this maintenance method will be funded in the future.
- Regular Township maintenance of the roads does include mill and overlay of very small sections of residential roads (see map attached for your subdivision). This regular maintenance is not assessed to the adjacent property owners. However, regular maintenance funds may be reallocated due to the failure of the Public Safety SAD as well so I cannot confirm that this program will remain in place either."
