Mayor: Too-High Vendor Bids Will Delay Future Elevations

Further elevations of homes substantially damaged in 2011's Hurricane Irene will have to wait a bit.

At Tuesday's Town Council agenda meeting at Parsippany High School, Mayor James Barberio announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood mitigation grants, which cover at least part of the cost of raising houses higher than the 100-year flood line, will be delayed.

The mayor explained that the elevation contract went out to bid twice.

"We went out to bid on two occasions, bids came in high and were rejected," he said. "We're going to move forward with negotiations with the bidders."

Barberio said Parsippany must follow state and FEMA guidelines when awarding grants.

"We want to let residents elevate their properties, but they are allocated a certain amount of money to do that," he said. "Bids have been [too high]."

When bids are on the high side, the property owner must pay the difference between the bid price and the FEMA allocation out of pocket, according to the mayor.

"Many in Lake Hiawatha don't have that kind of money," said Barberio.

The mayor said he would keep everyone apprised on future developments concerning the negotiations.