UPDATE: Netcong officials respond to fire company restroom concerns, say $350K project could resume next week

NETCONG BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — Netcong borough officials have responded to concerns raised by Fire Company No. 1 over the lack of functioning restrooms at its firehouse, outlining a series of construction delays, asbestos remediation and contracting issues that have pushed the renovation project beyond a year.

In a response provided to RNJ, Borough Administrator Ralph Blakeslee III said a new $116,000 construction contract was awarded Oct. 1, and the contractor has targeted the week of Nov. 9 to begin work. The borough estimates the overall project will cost approximately $350,000, including money already spent and the newly awarded contract.

The response follows a public statement from members of Netcong Fire Company No. 1, who said their firehouse has been without functioning bathrooms since the third week of August 2025, creating concerns about sanitation, accessibility and the treatment of volunteer firefighters.

The fire company said the situation has particularly affected members with disabilities and its four female firefighters, while also forcing the cancellation of community events and fundraisers.

According to Blakeslee, the original renovation project was developed through the borough’s standard public works contracting process, with plans prepared by its former engineering firm.

The original contractor had indicated that both restrooms could be renovated simultaneously and completed within approximately seven to 10 days, minimizing disruption to the fire company.

A preconstruction meeting was held Aug. 21, 2025, with the contractor, borough engineer and a representative of Fire Company No. 1. Blakeslee said no design concerns were raised during that meeting.

However, after construction began, work stopped when fire company members raised questions about certain design elements. While those concerns were being addressed, the contractor reported the possible presence of asbestos floor tiles to the New Jersey Department of Labor.

State officials subsequently inspected the firehouse, collected samples and issued a stop-work order. The borough also hired an environmental testing firm, which independently confirmed the presence of asbestos-containing materials.

Blakeslee said the borough was required to address the environmental issue before construction could continue. Following the lifting of the state stop-work order, the borough hired a qualified contractor to complete asbestos remediation.

The cost of asbestos testing, mitigation and related work totaled $24,726.25, according to the borough.

During that period, borough officials also negotiated with the original contractor over outstanding project issues. Those discussions ultimately resulted in the termination of the original construction contract.

The borough subsequently retained a new engineer and hired an architect to review and redesign the restroom renovations, incorporating concerns raised earlier in the project.

New plans and specifications were prepared, and the project was advertised and competitively bid under New Jersey public contracting requirements.

Blakeslee said the borough awarded a $116,000 contract to a new contractor Oct. 1. A preconstruction meeting has since been completed, and the contractor has approached the Byram Township Construction Office to obtain the necessary building permits.

According to the borough, the contractor has identified the week of Nov. 9 as its intended construction start date, although a confirmed completion date has not been announced.

The borough also disputed concerns raised by the fire company regarding temporary restroom accommodations.

In its original statement, the fire company said a disabled member was told during a recent Borough Council meeting that providing an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant portable restroom would be too expensive.

Blakeslee said the borough has provided ADA-compliant portable restrooms for firefighters since August 2025, at a total cost of $3,311.63 through the time of his response.

The borough acknowledged that portable restrooms are not an acceptable long-term replacement for permanent facilities, particularly at a public safety building used by male and female firefighters and individuals with disabilities.

Blakeslee said the revised construction plans address accessibility concerns and that the completed renovations will be subject to applicable construction and accessibility requirements.

According to the borough, expenditures associated with the restroom project had reached $234,638.44 as of Nov. 4. Including the new construction contract, the borough estimates the project will ultimately cost approximately $350,000.

The fire company previously said the prolonged lack of restroom facilities had prevented it from holding two membership awards dinners and two family picnics, while several annual fundraising events had also been canceled.

Members said those cancellations resulted in lost opportunities to recognize volunteers, strengthen community relationships and raise money to support fire company operations.

The fire company also raised concerns about comments reportedly suggesting the organization could be shut down after members questioned the delays and accessibility issues. The original statement did not identify who allegedly made those remarks or provide additional details.

Blakeslee’s response did not specifically address that allegation but rejected the suggestion that the borough had failed to take meaningful action to resolve the restroom situation.

The borough administrator also outlined other investments made in support of Fire Company No. 1 in recent years, including $9,500 for garage door sensor replacement in 2024, $11,497.55 in elevator maintenance since 2024, $480,738.25 for parking lot expansion and resurfacing in 2025 and 2026, and $28,542 for a boiler replacement in 2026.

The borough also reported purchasing a new fire truck for $958,968.38 and securing two grants totaling more than $150,000 for protective equipment, breathing apparatuses and gear-washing equipment for the fire department.

Blakeslee said the borough recognizes the dedication of its volunteer firefighters and shares the fire company’s goal of providing safe, sanitary and appropriate facilities.

He said officials will continue coordinating with the engineer, architect, contractor and construction officials to move the project forward and provide updates as the construction schedule is finalized.

In its original statement, Fire Company No. 1 called on the mayor and Borough Council to establish a firm construction schedule, ensure accessibility requirements are met and explain why the project has remained unresolved for so long.

“When Netcong calls, our firefighters answer. It is time for our community’s leadership to answer their call,” the fire company said.

The borough said its focus is now on completing the renovations and restoring permanent restroom facilities for the firefighters. While construction is tentatively expected to begin the week of Nov. 9, officials have not provided a date for when the restrooms will be fully operational.

This story has been updated to include a response from Netcong Borough Administrator Ralph Blakeslee III regarding the restroom renovation project and concerns raised by Fire Company No. 1.