First announced in February 2022, the renovation and expansion of Edison’s Dr. William Toth Health Center has encountered several setbacks, causing construction to remain at a standstill. The Edison Township Council recently approved a fourth change order for the project, increasing the total contract amount to $5.5 million.
This latest change order, totaling $60,000, is designated for additional site remediation to remove soil contaminated by previous underground storage tank removal. Business Administrator Sonia Alves-Viveiros stated that a 2019 permit issue necessitated this change order, which will allow remediation work to resume, paving the way for building renovations to begin.
Shorelands Construction Inc., the contractor responsible for the renovation, was awarded the initial $5.29 million contract last year. The project aims to expand the 1950s-era health center by almost 3,000 square feet, adding a large meeting space, reading room, full kitchen, and common lounge. These improvements are intended to enhance the range of services and programs offered to the town’s senior residents, including vaccinations, health screenings, and social activities.
This is just the latest setback, Edison is currently grappling with multiple projects that have fallen behind schedule and exceeded their allocated budgets. This concerning situation is largely attributed to a lack of effective management and oversight, which has resulted in inefficient resource allocation, poor planning, and unforeseen delays.
The absence of strong leadership and accountability has hindered progress and exacerbated the financial burden on the municipality. As these projects continue to languish, residents and taxpayers are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of transparency and the apparent mismanagement of public funds.
