WILDWOOD — Following a story in the June 23 Herald regarding remarks by Lower Township Deputy Mayor Kevin Lare, in which he criticized the engineering firm of Remington Vernick and Walberg (RV&W) for mishandling a number of township projects, Remington, Vernick and Walberg Principal and Executive Vice President Edward J. Walberg is disputed Lare’s claims.

Walberg answered Lare’s allegations in a letter to the Herald.

On the Freeman Douglass Park project, Lare was critical of RV&W’s work ranging from sod torn up three times, drainage problems and a cost of $3 million by the time it was completed. Walberg stated Lare erroneously stated that "project started out with a budget just over $1 million."

Walberg said the original contract amount for the project was $584,154. The final contract amount was $628,692 as a result of certain changes requested by the township including a motorized gate and the expansion of the contractor's scope of work to include supplying topsoil. Lare's statement that "when Remington and Vernick was finished, it exceeded $3 million" is false as is the implication that RV&W is responsible for any price increase,” said Walberg.

He said the "poor mix of soil and fertilizer was an issue between the township and their topsoil supplier.” Walberg said the sod was removed and replaced during construction as agreed to by the township, the contractor and RV&W to produce the best possible solution. That work was done at no extra cost to the township as is reflected in the final payment certification, he stated.

Walberg stated the playing fields were raised to a higher elevation than the pre-construction grades to improve the cross surface drainage and increase percolation through the soil. The proposed grades sloped to match the existing grades at the field boundaries. RV&W and township officials reviewed the condition at an on-site meeting and recommended installation of a stone and perforated piping system at the edge of the outfield and pipe the system to the existing detention basin.

Walberg stated the township decided to complete the installation with township staff. Prior to remediation by the township, RV&W was replaced as township engineer by Lare’s administration, he said. Walberg stated “It was RV&W's cost effective design efforts which produced a final project costing $628,692.05, $371,307.95 below Lare's original "$1 million" budget and well below the $3 million he incorrectly claims as the final cost of the project.”

On the topic of a fire suppression system for the township’s construction office, Lare alleged RV&W had no respondents for bids because it depicted the office as a police station and RV&W had to redraw the plans. Walberg stated Lare falsely claimed that "Remington and Vernick wanted additional funds to draw the correct plans” for a fire suppression system.

“In fact, RV&W issued revised plans despite being terminated as township engineer at no cost to the township,” stated Walberg.

For a project to make Township Hall more accessible for the disabled, Lare alleged four change orders drove up the cost of the project. Walberg stated the original construction contract amount was $289,014. The total Small Cities Grant Application funding was for $250,000. Walberg stated RV&W was not hired by the township to perform construction inspection, contract administration and payment requisition services. He said RV&W reviewed one change order at the request of the township which it recommended since it gave the township a credit of $2,784.

Walberg stated the township used in-house staff to perform inspections and process payment requisitions. He stated it was the understanding of RV&W that the township incorporated “owner requested change orders” into the contract “of which RV&W had no involvement.”

Walberg stated to his knowledge, the final cost of the original scope of the project was $286,230 and if the township spent additional funds for the project, those funds were not required to complete the original scope of work.

On the topic of the township’s Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) plans, Lare alleged as a result of RV&W, the township was exposed to a builder’s remedy lawsuit and had to hire a new firm to finish the COAH plan.

Walberg stated Lare’s description of the situation was false. He said when COAH regulations were challenged in court, the court directed the state to revisit and present new regulations. Walberg stated the township agreed to put a hold on completing the COAH plan until new regulations were published. He said the township’s Planning Board on Feb. 8, 2007 decided not to proceed with the plan until regulations were established.

When new regulations were published, several sections of the partially completed COAH plans needed revision, said Walberg, therefore RV&W requested additional funding to complete the plan. He stated the township did not authorize additional work. Walberg stated RV&W completed a major portion of the plan, which a subsequent planning firm was able to use to finish the plan “within weeks.” RV&W’s total fee for the plan was $9,227. Walberg stated Lare’s allegation that RV&W was paid about $13,000 is “patently false.”

On a project to replace outfall pipes on the beaches along Delaware Bay, RV&W feels it is inappropriate to comment on a matter that is a subject on ongoing litigation. “RV&W, however, denies the township’s allegation in this litigation and is vigorously defending against the claims,” stated Walberg.

On the topic of a rural sustainability plan for the township, Lare alleged the township must start over because RV&W’s plan was plagiarized and lacked sufficient information for state acceptance.

Walberg stated a plan was submitted to the state Office of Smart Growth (OSG) on Dec. 28, 2009. He said OSG requested modifications to the report and RV&W remains prepared to complete the report per its original contract.

“There is no need to ‘start the plan over’ as alleged by Mr. Lare nor would there be any additional cost beyond the original contract,” stated Walberg. He said OSG has requested the township to complete a scope of work that was larger than originally contained in the grant application. Walberg stated in a spirit of cooperation, RV&W agreed to reduce its fees by $29,000 to match the grant amount thus requiring no additional costs for the township.

“Curiously, Mr. Lare failed to mention this fact,” stated Walberg in his letter.

He said RV&W has not refused to respond to the OSG comments but the township terminated RV&W without allowing it to complete its contracted work.