The Harrison Township Committee voted to introduce two ordinances concerning the infrastructure for Orleans Subdivision, with and adopt a series of resolutions in regard to Orchard View during their meeting on Feb. 3.
Ordinances No. 05-2025 and No. 06-2025 were introduced first. The former would focus on authorizing utilities to install water and sewer utilities infrastructure for a subdivision with Orleans Conservatory Group Partners, LP. The latter would allow New Jersey American Water (NJAW) to install water and sewer infrastructure at the subdivision, located at a portion of Route 77 where a new street named Legacy Boulevard will be placed.
Public hearings for these ordinances will be held at the next committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Harrison Township municipal building. These tied into a resolution that was adopted later in the meeting, resolution No. 42-2025 that authorized the jurisdictional agreement between Orleans, the township and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
“They’re going to tap into the state highway,” said township solicitor Brian Duffield. “This is an agreement the DOT requires to make that connection. It also establishes where the state jurisdiction ends and where we pick up.
“We’re responsible for Legacy Boulevard,” he added, “because that road will be dedicated to the township when the project is done. What they’re saying is, we acknowledge we’re responsible for that portion. We will not remain responsible for (Route) 77, that remains DOT’s.”
The committee also voted to adopt a series of resolutions, resolutions No. 28-2025 to No. 37-2025, which concerned authorizing reduction of site improvements of several parcels of land in the Orchard View development. This is a 55 and older neighborhood that has been in construction for the past few years
“When the developer (Bob Myers Communities) started, they posted performance guarantees,” said Duffield. “After they reach a certain percentage of work, they can request the engineer review the work and if the engineer agrees, they can have bonds reduced. What we’re doing here is reducing the bonds because they reached a certain percentage of work.”
Both ordinances were introduced, and all resolutions were adopted unanimously by the committee members in attendance. Deputy Mayor Lawrence Moore and Committeeman Jeff Jacques were absent from the meeting and did not vote on the matters.
