Barnegat Sees Progress For New Town Hall

BARNEGAT – Some things are worth waiting for, and Barnegat’s new town hall may just be one of them. The building is brimming with modern amenities and a stunning presence, sharply contrasting with the outdated facilities currently shared by the local police department and municipal offices.

Visitors to Barnegat’s new town hall will be greeted by a striking first-floor lobby with a central reception desk. Directly behind the desk lies the municipal courtroom, which also serves as the governing body’s meeting room.

The expansive space features dark wooden benches and a dais already equipped with furniture and microphones. The most captivating aspect of this particular room is the natural mural created by more than a dozen windows just below the ceiling.

One could get lost in the clouds while waiting for their case to be called or sitting through a government meeting. The two-story building, complete with a basement, is already well-marked for easy navigation. Residents can find clear directions to pay tax bills, visit the township clerk, or meet with the township administrator.

Much of the furniture is already in place, ready for municipal employees to settle in. The new facility includes a significantly increased number of restrooms, addressing a major shortcoming of the old town hall. The police department’s upgraded setup includes a police records bureau, holding cells, interview rooms, and an evidence lock-up.

At first glance, Barnegat’s new town hall appears ready for occupancy, but there are still hurdles to clear before it can officially open. Local officials broke ground for the new municipal complex at the end of 2020, with an anticipated completion time of 18 months.

Frankoski Construction Company came in as the lowest acceptable bidder by law and started the job. By late 2023, the work was not nearly complete.

Former Mayor John J. Novak, acting as special counsel for the project, intervened and worked with the governing body to terminate Frankoski’s contract for non-performance. Novak then demanded that Traveler’s Insurance Company, the surety company that issued the performance bond, take over the project.

Frankoski was reinstated on the job with Travelers assigning Chris Fallon, a construction manager, hired to oversee the project’s completion. Township Clerk Donna Manno is among the many who have praised Fallon for ensuring progress despite ongoing challenges.

With over two decades of experience in construction management and a background as an electrician, Fallon is eager to complete the job and return to his home out of state. However, he is committed to seeing the project through, which includes not only finishing the new building but also handling the demolition of the old town hall and creating new parking lots to accommodate employees and visitors.

The time lapse has resulted in some unforeseeable difficulties, including a change in some code requirements. Problems with materials delays have become standard in the construction industry since COVID. One example is a part needed for the building’s elevator.

“The elevator is integral to making the entire building ADA-compliant,” reminded Novak. “It’s part of what goes into the state inspection.”

The project will basically stay at the cost bid by Frankowski in 2020, which includes material prices at that time. Some change orders have been issued that represent extras that came up for additional work since the project was first proposed.

Government approvals take time and occur in some unexpected ways. For example, Township Administrator Martin Lisella said the old building can’t be demolished until air quality reports are submitted.

No one is ready to estimate when all will be said and done but there is some good news. Novak said. “The delay doesn’t cost us anything and there’s a $2,500 a day liquidated damages clause.”