Belmar to build pavilions ourselves,
act as our own contractor.
Borough administrator and Maser Consulting to manage project.
Projected savings “at least 10%”
Magovern has doubts
The change of plan is discussed in the workshop session starting at the 5:20 mark.
Will we borrow 10% less or just spend the savings on other things? I couldn’t be there for this meeting but I wish I had been there to ask!
And by the way, thank you to my volunteer videographer. Great job!
52 Comments
This is great. I can see it now. Workers getting paid double overtime, added pension costs,renting of equipment, wrong purchase orders, incorrect permits from the state and feds. Maser gets to charge what? Oh boy
I was so taken aback at that meeting I could not even ask an intelligent question regarding the newest wrench thrown at us by our Mayor and admin. Colleen is going to be in charge? Now it’s easy peasy and just a simple building? Now we are going to save money by doing it ourselves? They mentioned Avon multiple times when they HATED the idea for 3 years, calling Avons buildings no comparison, we were so special and so on. The lowest bid for 10 the was never even mentioned. Now it’s too much money when they already have the bonds in place. The bids are less than they kept telling us and NOW we are going to save money? All of you people who bought into the Mayors rhetoric, who listened as he kept insisting it HAD TO BE done by a large contractor with union labor, had to cost 7 million dollars, called his opposition terrorists and more, now you how do you justify this radical change? At the 11th hour, at a meeting no one attended. And to our council I ask, do you ever have any idea what’s going on?
Couldn’t agree more, Katrina. And they were already privately discussing doing this this while they campaigned for the bond. Also didn’t I hear some of the bond supporters claim that the roof in one of Avon’s buildings leaked and the reason it leaked is because only a professional contractor knows how to build a building?
Sounds fishy to me, I think they realized their eyes are bigger than their tax income and they are finding out it doesn’t add up without a tax increase hence the change.
Don’t you know? We’re going to appeal Gummer’s ruling. It’s free, free!
Are you kidding an administrator with a minor in dance is going to start the process of hiring workers for pile driving for our pavilions. What about all the crap regarding needing to hire competent workers that have federal apprenticeships, the mayor and Brian were so afraid the work would be unsafe and cheap. Now it’s ok to let some inexperienced overpaid administrator work as the GC are they insane. I don’t think so. This administrator should be out of this project completely her sworn testimony was found to not be credible by Judge Gummer therefore everything she says is subject to credibility issues.
I’ve said this before and I believe even more strongly now that we shouldn’t build anything down there until we have a new administration. These guys just can’t be trusted to do the right thing.
The biggest risk is having Colleen Connolly involved.
I hate to always be right ( I posted to agenda blog.. anticipate an added resolution. This is how they do things to deliberately reduce community involvement. But I look at this as an opportunity. I have watched closely the waste and total inept performance of the Colleen Connolly/Maser team. The outcomes of this decision sets the stage for the “perfect storm”. Our business administrator will be in charge and also totally responsible. For my reaction as to why they made this 11th hour decision? Answer-cash flow. A construction firm like EPIC must be paid large chunks at regular intervals. Unlike Maser and some attorneys they will not be Belmar’s bank. Anticipate labor and supplies and engineering fees paid 90 to 150 days. Anticipate broken agreements with vendors ( long history ) resulting in more law suits. Hopefully I painted the picture that is most probable because of the players.
CONNOLLY WAS DEEMED TO PROVIDE SWORN TESTIMONY THAT WAS NOT CREDIBLE BY A JUDGE.
We all need to contact the state assembly members and senators to enact legislation to make the municipal government ethically responsible as they are required in all state related activities. Play favorites with a company that gives money to support a campaign or a family member has a relationship in business not allowed anymore!
Even the council members’ ideas don’t matter! They were suppressed, having to vote for the whole lot of resolutions as a group, not able to separate out the more complex, non-routine items for further investigation. Magovern and Brennan should be outraged. The pilot – eh! She feeds the seniors. All hail the Dictator!
The risk to the Borough taxpayers for a project of this magnitude is very HIGH without the benefit of a performance bond by a contractor. If this is the way that this governing body is moving toward, and if they appoint the Maser firm as a general contractor for this project, and if Maser is so confident that they are more than capable to handle the project as a general contractor, then it should be required to hand over a performance bond to the Borough. Without this requirement, Maser has no liability whatsoever for its performance. Why can’t subcontractors be required to submit bonds? Also, for the Borough Attorney and Administrator to acknowledge this risk and justify not having a bond by saying it would take time in court to call in the bond anyway is just irresponsible. It’s an insurance policy. To save 10% more or less in my mind just isn’t worth it. Performance bonds cost $ to an insurance company by a contractor to cover a project. That is a portion of the 600K savings to taxpayers. I would never be without insurance and for this town to even think about moving forward without an insurance guarantee is beyond my thinking. Besides, perhaps it is a requirement for construction in a V Zone for any grant funds. It’s not our land anyway, right?
It’s all about the money and the favors. The alleged savings on construction will find its way into the hands of Maser engineering.
Epic will rise out of this guaranteed.
I have no problem with Belmar acting GC as proposed by the grassroots group for three years. The problem is Colleen and Matt at the helm. Too much money will be in their hands at their disposal which is very bad in light of the history of misappropriations of funds in this town. Also the bond from M & M should be forfeited if what Connolly says is accurate.
After viewing the video my impression is this is crap. Belmar does not want to act as GC which is why they did not reject the bids. They want to figure out how to give it to Epic and this is their attempt at demonstrating how open minded and receptive they are being. HA. They want pubic outcry and then claim due to it they were forced to choose Epic but after they get the pilings in. Once that is done there is no turning back. Get that done, then they will state the job needs to be turned over to Epic. Belmar will probably pick the same vendor for the pilings as Epic did in their bid so there will be a reduction equal to that and the job goes back to Epic. Sorry Colleen and Matt once again you are not credible and both a crock of lies and deception.
I will not tolerate one more time with the mayor laughing and making fun of Gene Creamer. This is pure folly and except for Gene, Mary Hall and Katrina there were no adults present. I am personally sick and tired of these Philistines .
Well today, we have already heard from “moderate” Republican Tom Burke who is lauding the Mayor’s actions. Please any “moderate” Democrats, don’t be shy in your appraisals.
What is Belmar’s current debt? Are we going to get a huge property tax increase considering this project?
Yes but they can probably delay it a couple of years. Debt statement comes out next month and will be published here.
The pavilion is FREE….why do we need to cut costs with construction? The more I hear Matt and council speak the more worried I get..
Thanks Admin…. I have been reading your blog for some time now, keep up the good work…. We can’t let the town spend money like drunken sailors…
This administration has given new life to the 1960’s term: SCAM. The reason most of us (who care, council excluded) always feel like we are being scammed is because we are being scammed. I would probably respect Matt and Colleen more if they were more subtle and the obvious was not always so obvious. But, it always is. Those residents who referred back to C. Connolly’s testimony to Judge Gummer know all too well how when she attempted to scam the judge, just how that went. Is there a reason recently re-elected Nicolay has been missing so many meetings?
and the plot thickens…
Just keep in mind that the law says a casualty case can’t double dip.
Maybe a bright light finally figured out you can’t fool Mother Nature or Judge Gummer.
These “workshop” sessions make me want to vomit. They are dog and pony SHOWS meant to insult the intelligence of every Belmar taxpayer. They are pre-scripted. Trust me, there are no decisions made or changed on that platform. It’s Pope Matt and the three Stoogies puppeteer show, they should charge an entry fee, comical. Please don’t get sucked into believing Matt really gives a s**t about what anyone else has to say, unless of course it benefits the almighty. Arrogant a whole.
Divide and conquer come to mind with the latest workshop contrivance. BTW, Avon had leadership and vision with non partisan community support and it took two years.
Ruse: an action intended to deceive someone, a trick. Think machinate
Rush! …. regime gotta’ get Linde-Griffith driving ’em piles to celebrate …. forget Public Trust Doctrine and lack of resident consensus, approvals, financing, etc. …. pound away!
Nothing to be proud of.
I don’t get it. Really I don’t.
Perhaps I should pay more attention to what is going on in this town. Judge says can’t use beach funds for building (and perhaps other charges) or only portion thereof prior to election day. Ballot question explanatory statement thrown out but question remains on ballot and Mayor and Governing Body distribute flyers that all is well and no tax impact to residents. Town Administrator and/or Finance person isn’t sure how much in grant funds will be allocated to Borough. Bond in place for financing (taxpayers liability), project is bid, low bidder is M&M for both buildings but problem because of Alternate A in specs. Who’s fault is that? Perhaps Maser? Now there is discussion to let the Town Administrator and Maser oversee Project for Borough construction.
I think not. I want answers. Honest answers. Insurance that we don’t go further in debt. No performance bonds. Do we need these projects? What is our benefit vs. the risk of going this way? Who is going to gain? Now that we are at this point, does the Borough even have a legal explanation to reject bids? Will we be facing another lawsuit by M&M or those that Mr. Pringle represents?
The Downside of a (Project) Construction Manager According to Bob Vila
“What’s the downside? A general contractor assumes responsibility for a job; a construction manager does not. Disputes, poor workmanship, and other difficulties become your problem. It’s only fair, really: you save some money and assume some of the risk. But if you find an experienced construction manager with good references and negotiate a thorough and fair contract, the chances are good you won’t have major problems”
What are your thoughts Ms. Claire? Tell me that I am off-base and I can accept that with facts but please don’t go into off course with text of all the good deeds that the Borough does. Yes, I commend that from all municipalities as well as Belmar. Actually encourage it. With all due respect, please stick to the subject.
Right now, I can’t wrap my head around what the h…. this group is doing. I don’t think they know either or I don’t know what the ultimate plan is they have in mind. Sad
The difference between Belmar And Avon is a man named Tim Gallagher who used to be our Borough Administrator. To bad for the people of Belmar he now is and has been BA for Avon. I rest my case.
Well with saving 10% at least now the town can pay back all the people that the owe. Like the Home by Summer contractor. I am sure dictator Campbell had something to do with this decision. Maybe his salary will go up to 200k instead of 167k. If their is a god god all of the bad people in Belmar will get caught. If not this will never end.
Maybe the town public works can take some of that 10% that the town will be saving and finish that boro speedboat that public works has. Or maybe the public works can get new gym equipment since Mr Campbell decided to empty out one the the garage bays so he can make a gym. Everything about the town is a joke. Hopefully someone will grow some balls and get something done. I did everything I could do and I was shut out.
Belmar should just sub-contract North End Builders. They’ll get it done.
#30-Love the Beach-I’m baffled by your statement-“don’t go off course and tell about the good deeds of the council”…..or your words to that effect-on an earlier posting about voter suppression you asked me why “I follow the leader”….and I listed reasons-among them the good deeds carried out by the Mayor and council which benefit residents–you asked me, and I gave you my reasons……and you reject them (?)…..you don’t want to hear them?? YOU’RE the one who asked me….remember?? Now you’re saying….please don’t tell me?? Another question you posed in that commentary-Why don’t I respond other than when my name is mentioned? I disgree with most of commentary on this blog-if I answered every time I found comments to be incorrect, cruel, guesses/ and destructive character assassinations I’d spend all of my days at this computer…..that said-after weighing options, Mayor and council have come up with a plan that would save money-through state-contracts and Maser oversight-why not? Isn’t this what the opposition has been complaining about? Too much money on the project-now with the saving of around 10%…….opposition members are outraged (?)…let’s see how the plan plays out….I don’t understand the thinking of those who were against the original price tag….who are now against the savings-the suggestion that there’s anything else going on other than a savings is unfounded…..remember #30-if you ask me my opinion, don’t then tell me…..not to give it…..going along with the premise that my thoughts are not deserving, or I’m not entitled to express my thoughts on this forum-I believe it was you who complimented the administrator on opportunities offered on this blog to state opinions-even mine-now-you and others won’t agree with my feelings about the switch with the pavilion-financing-why, then do you ask my opinions, and then say…..”don’t tell me.”…whatever….this shows you to be close-minded and one-sided..we can agree to disagree-and I won’t insult you by asking you to join me for coffee-another inane remark made by you-I advise you to stay hidden behind your ficticious title so that you can continue to offer comments that you would nevver state using your real name…
Typical non answer
If I were North End Builders I wouldn’t touch any of it when you think of all they did for gratis and not a nod or thank you.Why would they want to even have their name mentioned with this mess. There isn’t a house they erected that anyone is unhappy with they are just beautiful. Why get involved with this mess and it is one hell of a mess.
#36-What non answer? Can’t you read??
#22 Brian Pringle – I am wondering the same thing. Why should I care about saving 10% on something that I have already been promised would be FREE?
#36- You are correct, a typical non-answer, did you expect anything more? 10% off a $10 hot dog is still a $9 hot dog worth about 3 bucks. A hot dog you really didn’t want anyway. Claire??????????? Don’t bother.
#40-another Knuckledhead-you can’t read either-answer is given-also, hot dog comparison demonstrates non-thinking-10% of a large figure is a large figure…..you used non answer. so I’m using non thinking…
What I find funny is they have NO idea how much money they have or don’t have. They might want to wait and find out how the appeal goes before they spend a dime. This might be the year Matt is proven right in a court of law doubt it but maybe.
Colleen with a hammer, Matt with a drill, what will they build?
Ms. P 43 we should charge admission to see that show.
Everyone, please go to Maser’s Website….
there is no mention of them ever having any experience in building a building…..
We are all being lied to…..this is a joke!
The punchline will be quite disturbing when this is all done 2 years from now….
Belmar has peed through millions it will come to light.
If I had a hammer and I had a bell I’d sing out warnings all over BELMAR…. there will be a Senate vote allowing seasonal liquor licensed donors 9 month licenses.
Are all the suckers that voted yes to the Pavilion referendum fraud breaking their necks to stop the bus loads from coming to Belmar from March through November. How many calls to you senators can you make and memorialize?
Just can’t get a break can you. Sneaky is as sneaky does. Winter votes when snow birds fly.
Great blog – lots learned. I have never commented here but I simply cannot stay quiet any more. Our current administration offers up lies, murky truths, pavilion is free/not free, irresponsible management, climbing over the backs of the Belmar taxpayers to advance their/his own political career(s)… Putting my money where my mouth is and the house is up for sale. I do not want to be around when the rebound effect for all this money being spent comes back to us on our taxes. This makes me incredibly sad…
Once again making hay for the real estate market. tax appeal will be available when your neighborhood becomes a ghetto (police slogan) again. Oh and for any of you real residential voters there’s a gubernatorial race on and the real contenders are Sweeney and full of it, mobile matt’s buddy.
Disgusting!
Brian: Grow a pair!
Brennan: You, too!
Blackburn: Keep the seniors well fed, as they vote for the hand that feeds them, with taxpayer money.
Doherty: Whom have you commissioned to make your crown?
Colleen: Don’t run for mayor, just depose this guy somehow. Just kidding.
Quality people we deal with! http://www.app.com/story/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/2016/01/06/birdsall-scott-mcfadden/78370216/
“There she goes again. Never discussing the issue. Always changing the subject.”
Post a Comment