EDISON – The township is taking an expensive, but necessary, step toward making improvements at the Department of Public Works garage on Truman Drive, aimed at consolidation while setting the stage for a future major overhaul at another township DPW garage.

Township Council members last week unanimously approved a resolution awarding a state contract for a new floor at the DPW garage at 101 Truman Dr. at a cost of $549,239.63.

Township Business Administrator Sonia Alves-Viveiros said the cost is lower than the engineer expected, and the public works director said the purchase was made through a co-op so it is already pre-bid for the service.

Council President Joe Coyle, who serves on the DPW committee, said the floor on the Truman garage, which formerly stored tanks, has settled over the years creating a slope and safety issues.

"It's like jacking a car up on a hill," he said.

Creating a level floor will allow for more indoor repair of vehicles. Coyle said the goal is have all the department's vehicles undergo repairs and maintenance at one location, the Truman garage, where all the parts and supplies, like tires, also will be stored. Training also is expected to be housed at the Truman garage site. The new floor also will allow more vehicles to be brought into the garage at one time.

"Township motor vehicle maintenance and repair is a huge responsibility. We need to get these trucks in and out and back on the road," Coyle said, adding the township does a lot of its own repairs.

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The Edison DPW covers 35 square miles and 250 miles of roads, he said, adding the township already has the trucks and manpower ready to tackle any upcoming snowfalls.

"People care about their streets being plowed, their streets being paved, and their garbage picked up," Coyle said.

The floor is expected to take about five weeks of work, including curing the concrete.

The council also approved resolutions to purchase a new wheel alignment machine at a cost of $30,746.20; purchase a new scissor lift for $35,010.01; purchase two new and unused vehicle post lifts for $100,788.72; and a contract for welding of the trench drain risers for $21,624.75.

Councilman John Poyner said the improvements are necessary to get through the proper level of efficiency in the department and the right improvements to make going forward.

A concept plan is being developed by the mayor and his administration for the DPW garage at 745 New Durham Road, which is currently used for some indoor, but mostly outdoor, storage, Coyle said. The township also has a parks and recreation garage off Nevsky Street.

"The long-term goal is to have all of our vehicles out of the elements underneath an overhang or inside a garage during the months when the weather is challenging," Coyle said.

In January 2015, a four-alarm fire leveled the DPW maintenance garage on New Durham Road, destroying 11 salt spreaders with attached snowplows, three street sweepers, three repaving vehicles, a road maintenance truck and a fire engine that was awaiting repairs. The damage was estimated at about $4 million.

Coyle said the end goal for the township is to provide every opportunity and services to residents in an efficient manner. By working on the Truman garage first, it positions the township to develop plans for the future restructuring of the Durham garage, he said.

"We're shuffling our manpower and our vehicles and our services into one area so we can look at Durham as a blank canvas," Coyle said.

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.