SOMERS POINT — City Council is looking to bond nearly $4 million for capital improvements and equipment purchases.
On July 23, the governing body introduced three bond ordinances totaling $3,861,080.
The largest of the trio would borrow $2,636,080 for various projects, while $975,000 would be used for the sewer utility and $250,000 to rehabilitate the city’s system of manholes.
The most expensive of the projects in the largest bond is roadway and drainage work, which includes Ambler Road from Bala Drive to Massachusetts Avenue, Bay Avenue from Goll Avenue to New Jersey Avenue and Broadway from Somers Point-Mays Landing Road to the terminus.
Recreation projects amount to more than $875,000.
The ordinances would appropriate $340,000 for track resurfacing, field drainage, renovations to the softball and Little League buildings, renovation of the bathrooms and security door replacement at Kern Field.
Another $296,500 is earmarked for improvements to the bike path, while $240,000 is meant for renovation of the Kern Field snack bar and bathrooms, upgrades to baseball and softball dugouts, renovation of the Little League building bathrooms, flooring for the Youth Center and upgrades to the hockey rinks.
Funds are set to boost both the police and fire departments.
The bond would fund $228,800 for automated license plate readers, digital cameras, ballistic vests, pistols, firearms training equipment and a sniper rifle with scope for the police department. Another $150,000 would pay for vehicles and $11,000 for an information technology firewall.
The fire department would get $91,5000 for rescue harnesses, supply hose, air bags, jaws of life and gas-detection meters and $74,000 for turnout gear. About $52,000 would fund refurbishment of a rescue pumper and $5,000 would buy a thermal imager.
Various municipal facilities also would get some love to the tune of $168,000. Work would include a chiller for City Hall and bleachers and an HVAC system at the Youth Center.
Another $164,000 would go to the Department of Public Works to install a safety partition, garage and office roof coating, garage door replacement and security upgrades. Also included is flagpole and lighting replacement at Patriot Park. Public Works also would get $193,000 to buy dump trucks with plows and $12,000 for a lawn mower.
The Gateway Playhouse would get a new roof and general renovations for $63,000.
Other earmarks include $120,000 for stormwater repairs and $60,000 for dredging.
Sewer utility improvements include $500,000 for the system main lining program, $210,000 for vehicles, $200,000 for building upgrades and $65,000 for equipment.
A second reading and vote on the bond ordinances are scheduled for City Council’s next meeting, set for 7 p.m. Aug. 27.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff