The May 2006 Project Coordination Team Meeting was held at the Corps of Engineers Offices at 26 Federal Plaza, New York City on May 11, 2006. In the absence of a separate Report by the Federal Engineers of the Project Coordination Team Meeting held on April 13, 2006, the Memo Report prepared by J. B. Wiley, of that meeting, was made available as a record of the activities and decisions of the April 2006 meeting.

The meeting was called to order at approximately 9:45 AM. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:45 AM. The following notes are grouped by those subjects which are of interest to the Green Brook Flood Control Commission. Accordingly, they do not necessarily cover every matter discussed, and do not necessarily follow the order in which matters were dealt with.

The meeting was attended John O'Connor, P.E., Project Manager for the Corps of Engineers; Michael Cox, P.E., from URS Corporation (consultants to the Corps of Engineers) and eleven other persons from the New York District of the Corps of Engineers; together with Aimin Shi, Middlesex County; Joseph Skupien, P.E., representing Somerset County; Charles Defendorf, P.E., NJDEP; Joseph Debler, Chairman, Green Brook Flood Control Commission; Theodore Bassman, Vice Chairman, Green Brook Flood Control Commission and J. B. Wiley, P.E., P.P., Green Brook Flood Control Commission.

The Agenda for the meeting (copy attached) was available for all persons who were present. The sign-in sheet for the meeting is attached.

A new video prepared for the Corps of Engineers by Michael Breslin was shown. As with previous videos prepared by Michael Breslin, this video is excellent. Its emphasis is on the environmental aspects of the Project.

As has been reported, the recommendation of the President to the Congress is that no money at all should be appropriated in the next Federal Budget (beginning 10/1/06).

If that is the final outcome, when Congress and the President have finally agreed on the new Budget, the Project for protection would come to a halt.

It was reported that there will probably be a fairly clear signal as to what action Congress will take in their proposed Budget for next year some time next month.

It was reported that persons from the staffs of both our United States Senators have recently visited the job site, have had an opportunity to see the progress now being made, and to appreciate what a dreadful mistake it would be to stop the Project at this point.

It was reported that the reaction of the staff members from the offices of our two United States Senators "seemed positive".

It was further reported that Congressman Ferguson recently visited the job site, and had an opportunity to see the state of progress which has been reached. This visit by Congressman Ferguson also provided an opportunity for the Congressman to appreciate, at first hand, the effect of halting progress at this time.

It was clear from Congressman Ferguson's attitude during the visit that he strongly believes it is vitally important to continue progress on the Project; and is determined that the Project should continue moving forward.

It was further reported that visits have also been made in recent weeks by persons from the offices of Congressman Pallone; and from the office of Congressman Frelinghuysen.

(It is significant that Congressman Frelinghuysen is on the Committee of the House of Representatives which makes recommendations to the full House concerning appropriations; and that Congressman Frelinghuysen is very high up in the seniority on that very important Committee of the House of Representatives.)

Project Manager John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, reported that his orders to his staff are "keep moving forward" in spite of the possibility that the Project might receive no money after September 30, 2006.

From informal comments, it appears that consideration is being given to the naming of the new Talmage Avenue bridge (if, of course, the Federal Government continues the Green Brook Flood Control Project). If, and when, the present Talmage Avenue bridge (which is too low to the water) is replaced by a new and higher bridge, that the new bridge is likely to be named the "Vernon A. Noble Bridge" in honor of the man who was instrumental in the formation of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission, and instrumental in persuading the Federal Government to begin the design and building of the Green Brook Flood Control Project.

(Vernon A. Noble, former Mayor of Green Brook Township, and former Freeholder of Somerset County, and subsequently Surrogate Judge of Somerset County, was chairman of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission from its beginning many years ago, until the end of last year, at which time Vernon Noble announced his retirement from the position of Chairman, on account of advancing years. He was thereupon elected as Chairman Emeritus of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission.)

At this meeting it was pointed out that the Federal rules require that a contract to replace the Talmage Avenue bridge with the necessary new and higher bridge, cannot be entered into until the full amount of money needed for the work, even though that work will extend over approximately three years, is appropriated and on hand.

The contract can be "staged", but the work may not begin until the full amount for the bridge, and all the necessary work associated with the Project, is authorized and available for expenditure, even though that expenditure may stretch over a period of several years.

The Federal Engineers are, of course, continuing with all the preparatory work which must be accomplished (and for which money from prior appropriations is still available) to proceed with a construction contract.

This includes the acquisition of the necessary real estate interests involved in the associated roadway approaches to the bridge.

Ms. Mary Daly, Federal Engineers Real Estate Specialist, reported that the owner of one commercial property, for which it is necessary to have a "right of entry", has declined to cooperate, and that in consequence it may be necessary to proceed with the legal action of "eminent domain".

Ms. Daly noted that such a process could require as long as nine months to complete.

The general sense of those who have heard first hand from the representatives from the offices of the Members of Congress involved in the Project, is that there is still grounds for hope that Congress will disagree with President Bush, and act to keep the Green Brook Flood Control Project moving forward.

It was reported that the heavy equipment which has been in use at the Finderne Farm Wetlands Mitigation Site has now been removed, for the reason that the heavy construction operations have been completed.

It was reported that a great deal of planting has been completed, and it is expected that when the rains resume, the area will take on a very green appearance.

Once again, it was reported that there area a great many deer in the area.

It was further reported that discussions between Somerset County and the Corps of Engineers continue to take place, including discussions of "mitigation" requirements brought about by flood protection construction activities.

It was also reported that discussions are now taking place, or will shortly take place, between Somerset County, the NJDEP, and the Corps of Engineers concerning the ultimate ownership, and maintenance responsibility, for this Finderne Farm Wetlands Mitigation Site.

Charles Defendorf, P.E., NJDEP, reported that Mr. Rosenblatt (NJDEP) recently received a proposal from the Borough of Bound Brook concerning the matter of replacement Green Acres issues in Bound Brook Borough.

Mr. Defendorf explained that the proposal by the Borough of Bound Brook is now being reviewed by the appropriate authorities of the NJDEP.

John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, reported on the recent "exercising" (operations) of the pumping station at Billian Legion Park, together with its associated standby emergency electrical generation equipment, as well as a "testing" operation of the large steel movable flood gate at East Street.

Amongst other adjustments, the "alarms" will be set based upon the successful experience of the operators of the Sunbury (PA) flood control project.

In connection with the operational testing of this portion of the Project, Mr. O'Connor reported that the closure gate at East Street showed that some further improvements are necessary.

The present arrangement provides that the gate is to be cranked into its closed position by hand, and Mr. O'Connor noted that this test disclosed that "hand cranking" to close the gate is difficult. The "J" seal at the bottom of the gate seems to cause difficulty. He noted that it took somewhat more than 20 minutes to achieve full closure; and that improvements appear to be necessary.

Felix Chevere, Federal Engineers, reported that after the large closure gate which will be installed at the South Main Street underpass beneath the NJ Transit Railroad lines is designed, and its operation is found to be satisfactory, the Federal Engineers will probably revise the scheme for moving the East Street Gate.

It was further reported that there will be a regular repetition of this "try out" testing of the pump station, and of the East Street gate at regular intervals.

In connection with Segment T (Billian Legion Park vicinity), Felix Chevere, Federal Engineers, reported that the PARSA metering station now appears to be operating satisfactorily. A screen intended to prevent clogging of the sampling pump has been removed, and the sampling pump now seems to be operating satisfactorily.

As a result of the testing operations of the closure gate at East Street (Bound Brook Borough) it was reported that the design of the large roller gate which will close off East Main Street (Bound Brook Borough where it passes beneath the NJ Transit Railroad tracks on its way to the Queens Bridge in South Bound Brook) is being re-examined.

The alternatives being investigated include a movable "J" seal. The recent testing of the East Street roller gate disclosed that one of the difficulties in operating that gate is related to the seal at the bottom of the gate, which "drags" as the gate is being moved, causing friction which impedes the movement of the gate.

Accordingly, various alternative sealing arrangements (for the bottom of the gate, where it meets the roadway) are being investigated. One possibility is a sealing arrangement which does not come in contact with the roadway until the gate is fully closed.

Other possible improvements being investigated include lubrication to reduce the friction of the seal against the roadway and a means to power the movement of the gate.

The movement of these large gates across roadways is accomplished in many cases by pushing or pulling with a truck. In the case of these two flood gates in Bound Brook Borough, the space available at each end of the gate does not lend itself to the use of a motor truck to move the gate.

The Federal Engineers reported that regular testing operation of the pump station and of the East Street closure gate will take place as improvements and adjustments are made; and that this will continue into the future until all operational problems have been satisfactorily resolved.

Felix Chevere, Federal Engineers, reported that private construction is taking place near the Segment U levee, in the general vicinity immediately south of Route 22. Mr. Chevere advised that this construction will be monitored carefully to make sure that none of the private construction taking place there (on private property) causes any compromise in the integrity of the earthen levee in that vicinity.

Mr. Chevere also reported that the baseball playing fields between the levee (Segment RI) and Tea Street are now essentially complete; and he further reported that Bound Brook Councilman Gabrielski seems to be satisfied with the end result.

John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, reported that he has asked the appropriate people within his group to prepare some explanatory information for the Project Coordination Team concerning the costs and the scope of portions of the Project within Middlesex Borough, referred to as C, A, P, and D.

Upon the completion of the protection for the Borough of Bound Brook, the next following work will take place in Middlesex Borough.

This explanatory information will presumably include information on the major construction work which will be required, together with cost information developed thus far.

Ms. Mary Daly, Federal Engineers - Real Estate, reported that she is preparing information which will be needed in connection with the turn-over of the property on Prospect Place (a dead end street) in Middlesex Borough, where a number of houses were acquired as part of a "buyout" which was accomplished a few years ago (in lieu of providing flood protection for that land by the construction of levees, etc.).

As noted in earlier Reports, this is one of the many steps which will ultimately lead to the turn over of this acquired property (at the end of Prospect Place) to Middlesex County, and presumably thereafter to Middlesex Borough.

It was also reported that a tree on what is now Federal Government owned property is considered by the owner of one of the remaining private houses on Prospect Place, to be in danger of falling upon that private house. Steps will be taken to cure this situation.

In connection with Prospect Place, it was reported that officials of Middlesex Borough have now requested that pavement at the southwest corner of Prospect Place and Route 28, which was formerly a commercial operation (which had pavement into that commercial building from both Prospect Place and Route 28), is now desired by Middlesex Borough to be brought back to a natural condition, by the removal of the old pavement which remains from the former commercial operation.

It appears that the Federal Engineers will be able to arrange for the removal of this pavement and the restoration of the land to a natural condition.

It was reported that upon the completion of some surveying work, the plans for the removal of the old, disused Conrail bridge over the Raritan River are scheduled to be "90%" complete.

As previously reported, "100%" complete Plans and Specifications for the removal of this old disused bridge are scheduled to be completed by August 1, 2006.

By late summer this year, the Federal Engineers will be "Ready to Advertise" for a deconstruction contract.

The work will proceed from the Middlesex side of the bridge, and use will be made of property owned by Dow for staging in connection with the de-construction.

It was reported that comments on the preliminary plans for the levee/flood wall system which will extend from the Talmage Avenue Bridge to the high ground at the Bound Brook Railroad station, have been furnished to Somerset County, and to the State of NJ; and comments from the County and from the State are due back to the Federal Engineers by May 19, 2006.

In this connection, it was pointed out, once again, that the Federal policy for flood control projects provides that the Federal Government does not do "interior drainage", which, in accordance with the underlying Legislation, is a "local responsibility".

As most persons familiar with the Project are aware, the internal rainwater from that portion of Bound Brook Borough, which presently flows by gravity into the Raritan River, will (of course) not be able to flow into the river after the R2 levee/flood wall system is in place. Therefore, a large pumping station will be built, as part of the Project, on the protected side of the levee/flood wall system, to gather up internal rain water from that portion of Bound Brook Borough, and pump it over the levee and into the Raritan River.

Commission Chairman Joseph Debler asked the Federal Engineers for information on their "Plan of Study", as well as their estimated costs and their general scheme for preparation of plans, for protection of the Upper Portion of the Green Brook Basin.

(The "Upper Portion" of the Green Brook Basin is basically all of that portion upstream of the confluence of the Stony Brook with the Green Brook at Union County Park in Plainfield.)

John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, did not respond fully to Chairman Debler; at the same time, Mr. O'Connor did not say that this request by Mr. Debler could not be accommodated.

The next meeting of the Project Coordination Team will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2006, beginning at 9:30 AM, and will take place in the Field Office of the Corps of Engineers at 100 West Main Street, Suite 101, Bound Brook Borough, NJ.