County approves $1.27 million trail renovation contract and several parks, maintenance awards

The Essex County Board approved multiple public-works and parks contracts, including a $1,265,000 award to Picerno Giordano Construction for trail renovations at South Mountain Reservation.

David Antonio, deputy in the Department of Public Works, said Picerno submitted the lowest of four bids. Picerno representative Lachlan Barber said the project will resurface the river and ferry trails, repair pedestrian bridges, improve parking areas and add a gazebo/picnic area, with work expected to begin promptly and aimed to be finished before winter.

In parks business, County Parks director Joshua Zaid presented awards including a 24‑month contract to Downes Tree Service (golf-course drainage; not to exceed $599,800), Fund Services (carnival games; not to exceed $85,000) and Power Washing Pro (statue cleaning; not to exceed $46,710). Zaid also outlined a $500,000 Green Acres grant to the South Mountain Conservancy and described the county's matching contribution from the Open Space Trust Fund; the board authorized use of up to $60,000 from the trust fund to replace a shade structure at the county zoo.

Public Works also sought and received approval for a time extension on the Spirit Avenue intersection federal grant project, revising the completion date from September 2027 to May 2028, citing a shortage of aluminum castings for signal arms and no additional financial impact. The board approved a change order increasing engineering support for the 2025 roadway resurfacing program from $274,000 to $318,000 (an increase of $44,577, about 16%) to cover additional labor for extended resurfacing on routes including Grama and JFK Parkways.

All items were moved, seconded and approved on roll call.