The Authority Newsletter- April 2026

What's New at The Authority?

Landfill Update

Spring has sprung and The Authority’s 2026 projects are underway. The Authority has continued to prepare for a Cell 10 expansion of the landfill. This expansion will extend the life of the landfill from 2041 to 2058. This is a three to five-year project, as The Authority has begun bi-weekly meetings with engineers for proposals to find the best strategies to maximize landfill space. A pre-application meeting was held on April 1 to discuss permit submission. The initial draft permit will be submitted to the DEP in July 2026. The Authority’s Drop-Off Center project is nearing completion, as The Authority is awaiting concrete work. This upgrade will make for a smoother and safer operation for customers. The Authority’s Wind Defender Project has been approved and will be underway when the landfill reaches the correct elevation. Both Cells 8 and 9 will be covered with rain cover and wind defender, as cells 1-7 are currently covered. The NJDEP has approved the NJPDES/DGW permit for the Treatment Plant. Heartland will now commence fabrication of the pods for the new system. This project is expected to be online in the first quarter of 2027.

 Upper Deerfield Board of Education

 Construction at Seabrook School is progressing very well, now that the weather has been cooperating. The roof trusses and sheathing have been installed. The shingle roof is nearing completion, and Air Handling Units have been set in the mezzanine. Interior electrical, plumbing, ductwork, and fire sprinklers are underway, while brick veneer is being installed by masons. 

CCTEC

The new addition for the Cumberland County Technical Education Center is progressing. The building pad is ready for concrete. The new addition will be approximately 16,800 square-feet and house two dual-use classrooms, a construction lab, two manufacturing labs, a photonics stem lab, and welding lab, along with support spaces, such as offices, a conference room, and utility spaces. The project is expected to be complete in April 2027. 

Bridgeton Fire Station

The Bridgeton Fire Station Project is progressing according to plan. Brickwork is being completed on the apparatus bay. Rear building panels are being installed. The project is on schedule to be completed in the Spring/Summer 2026.

$800K Energy Rebate

As part of the HVAC Controls Upgrade and Efficiency Project that has been ongoing at RCSJ Cumberland campus, The Authority recently received notification that the system enhancements have performed better than originally anticipated. As a result, the final incentive payment is adjusted up to $827,174.70. This is in addition to the $29, 297.32 already received for a grand total of rebates of $856,472.02 (up from the initial total estimate of $234,573). The rebate is cash back to the County, which is in addition to the daily savings realized through increased efficiencies.

Improving Your Tomorrow: Across South Jersey

Hunterdon and Burlington County State Police Barracks: LFB Approval

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Local Finance Board approved the bond applications for the Hunterdon County and Burlington County New Jersey State Police Barracks. The bond is being guaranteed by Cumberland County, which is the first time that a project bond has been guaranteed for an out-of-county project. The projects include property acquisition, site work, and construction. The bidding for the projects is expected to take place within the next few months. With the approval of both projects, Cumberland County will be guaranteed a total of  $325,000. The partnership with Cumberland County is a win-win for all parties involved. We are proud to work with our neighboring counties to improve your tomorrow.

Linden Street Homes

Progress continues on Linden Street in Salem. Construction of the six new homes remains on schedule to be complete in late-April/early-May. 

Cape May Police Department

After a weather-impacted February, the Cape May Police Station project has regained momentum with the placement of the concrete slab.  The site has been cleaned, leveled,  and backfilled in preparation for vertical construction. Masonry materials and silos have been delivered, and CMU wall installation is now underway and will carry progress through the coming month.

Cape May Justice Complex

Work continues at the new $21,546,500 Cape May County Justice Complex. Ironclad Erectors continues with structural steel erection. Steel erection was completed on the East half of the building by March 17 and the West half is expected to be complete by April 6. Baumgardner Masonry completed construction of the exterior CMU    walls   from   the   Southwest  corner   of    the   building   to Stair #2 on the Northeast corner of the building. This accounts for roughly 50% of the  first-floor  exterior  walls. They also began work on the interior CMU partitions and will continue    with      work     on    the exterior walls of Stair #2 and commence construction of Stair #1 and the elevator shaft. New Jersey American  Water   completed  the  road   opening   for   the  water and fire service connections and wet taps on March 27 and March 30 – keeping Moore Road open to traffic while the work was being performed. The General Contractor, Ernest Bock & Sons, is working with their subcontractors to mitigate any potential delays due to the winter weather and to maintain the original substantial completion date of July 7, 2027, and final completion in August 2027.

Salem County Social Services

Phase 2 of the Salem Board of Social Services is wrapping up. All rough framing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work has been installed and inspected. Painting has been completed and ceiling grids have been installed. The final phase of the project is expected to be complete in early-June. 

Fenwick Plaza Update

The Authority continues its renovations of Fenwick Plaza in Salem. The second story of the plaza will be ready for occupancy this spring. This is the next step in the effort to return Fenwick Plaza to a hub of downtown activity. A grocery store is planned for the first floor, and the operators have secured grant funding to move the project forward. Rastelli Foods and Ranch Hope presented additional details at the Salem City Council meeting on  March 9. When completed, the renovated and reinvigorated Fenwick Plaza will serve as a catalyst for economic development and provide businesses, government, and social services an anchor for the residents of the City of Salem and the region. Fenwick Plaza construction is moving into its final phases, and is expected to be complete early-July 2026. 

Click the file below to read more about the latest news, projects, and events at The Authority.

April 2026 Newsletter.pdf

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