Low Generator Bid Advances River Edge Project

With hurricane season creeping closer to River Edge, a lower than anticipated bid for a  to power  and the will advance the project forward.

Out of four bids that were received, Vanore Electric Inc of Teterboro came in with the lowest option at $188,509 which was below the expected $190,000 estimated cost for the larger generator. The borough  for a smaller 175-kilowatt generator for the police station as well.

According to Councilman Edward Mignone, project engineer Kenneth DelPercio has thrown his support behind the bid and believes the council should go forward with this project and install one generator for both buildings.

"On August 6, the council will be presented with a formal resolution to make this award," Borough Administrator Alan Negreann said.

The three remaining bids that were received were well above $200,000.

To install a generator to cover both buildings, the generator itself would be located in the parking area outside of borough hall but would require a lengthy shut down of power to both buildings by PSE&G during installation. The overall cost of $190,000 includes placing a service disconnect switch and automatic transfer switch on the exterior of borough hall.

The power shutdown for installation could take between four to six hours, but the work would be done overnight so as to not interrupt services. The police department would be running in the current 45-kilowatt generator during the change over.

"There will be an issue with timing to get PSE&G involved for the gas installation," Mignone said. 

Currently during power outages the two buildings are powered by a 45-kilowatt generator, but more often than not the generator can not handle the borough's needs. Funding for the new generator was set aside in this year's .

Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our free daily newsletter.