Brooklake Rd. Construction Getting Hand from Chatham

Chatham and Madison Boroughs will combine on a Brooklake Road paving project that is intended to make the bumpy road more easily passable.

The Madison Borough Council amended its resolution regarding improvements to the road to include participation by Chatham at its most recent meeting.

Madison owns the west side of Brooklake road, while Chatham owns the east side. The road eventually makes its way into Florham Park.

The construction has been one long looked forward to by Madison residents. At the July 12 Madison Borough Council meeting, resident Theresa Zwick presented a petition signed by over 50 neighbors regarding the state of the roads around Brooklake Road.

"It's very dangerous," said Zwick, referring to potholes and trenches on the sides of the road.

At the latest Chatham Borough Council meeting, Engineer Vincent DeNave said that the project is necessary.

"It's in really deplorable condition on the Madison side," he said.

Chatham Borough will contribute $40,000 toward the project. Most of that will pay for the road milling and overlay.

Madison will pay for the bulk of the work—the contract amount of which is $230,675. That contract was awarded to Cifelli & Sons Construction.

The Madison side of the road will include curbing, sidewalks, drainage improvements, and sewer work.

When questions at Madison's council meeting arose about why Chatham was only paying $40,000 for the improvements, these facts, as well as how Chatham had no legal obligation to contribute to the project, were brought up by Madison Borough Administrator Ray Codey and Engineer Bob Vogel.

The two said that Chatham was contributing as a public service.

Chtham Borough Council members said they were pleased the project is getting done.

"That road is horrible," Councilman James Lonergan said.