Taking the next step in the eventual reconstruction of Meadowlands Parkway, the Town Council voted at a special meeting two weeks ago to accept a grant from NJ Transit and approve a contract to start roadwork. Town officials received $1.4 million from the NJ Transit Corporation Urban Care Program in June as part of an effort to help curb flooding in a section of the 3rd Ward by making roadway infrastructure improvements. In a related move, the council awarded the construction bid for the project to Tilcon NY, Inc. of Paterson, for $877,999.99. The town had received six bids on the project, with the highest bid at $1.3 million. The council also passed a resolution paying Boswell Engineering $26,825 for engineering services conducted on the project. Goodkind & O'Dea was awarded a professional services contract for $20,250 for consulting services to oversee the Flood Mitigation Assistance Planning Grant. Responding to questions by Councilman John Bueckner, Mayor Dennis Elwell said the contract with Tilcon will not cover repairs to the Meadowlands Parkway Bridge near Harmon Cove. Although the roadway construction came in significantly lower than expected, Elwell said the town still may not have enough money to cover the costs of the bridge - this despite the fact that they also have a $216,000 grant from the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission and money dedicated from Hartz Mountain Industries for that repair. "We're looking at other options to help us fix the bridge," Elwell said. Hartz is also responsible for maintaining and monitoring sanitary sewer systems in the area, according to Councilman Mike Grecco. Preliminary studies show that most of the lines are alongside the highway, not under it, which means that repairs done by Hartz would not affect the reconstruction project. Town Engineer Gerald Perricone said if Hartz has to dig into the roadway, the company would be responsible for repaving those sections affected, not merely patching up the holes. Other council action Responding to recommendations made by the town's tax attorney, Peter Zipp, the council withdrew its counterclaim filed with the tax court of New Jersey contesting assessments for a variety of properties owned by Deison Corp. for the years 1994-98. The council agreed to freeze assessments for 1999-2001. The council rejected the low bid from Pumping Service, Inc., to provide two eight-inch trash pumps to the city. They re-awarded the contract to the next highest bidder, Godwin Pumps of America. The town attorney and town's superintendent of public works had reviewed the bids and said Pumping Services' pump failed to meet the minimum solid handling requirement and performance levels, and other aspects of the bid. The Godwin pump will cost the town $61,180. Robert West of the Secaucus Building and Grounds Department was granted a leave of absence. He is currently on disability leave. The official leave will be backdated to Nov. 29, 1999 and will continue until Aug. 31, at which time the council will review the matter again.