Belmar Continuing Existing Projects With Birdsall Despite Firm's Legal Issues

Re-examing Belmar's relationship with Birdsall Engineering Group, the firm where several current and former employees face alleged Pay-to-Play violations, won't come until some projects underway are finished, officials discussed tonight.

But Belmar council members said the borough administration should discuss whether it should use Birdsall for future projects. Open projects now underway with Birdsall are the boardwalk rebuild and other beachfront projects.

Councilman Jim Beam brought up the issue in tonight's council workshop session, after hearing news of an indictment yesterday of seven Birdsall employees and shareholders, including one who previously worked as Brick Township administrator.

Birdsall has been under investigation for skirting the state's pay-to-play laws by allegedly reimbursing its employees for their personal, unreportable political contributions.

The seven defendants are charged with conspiracy, two counts of money laundering, making false representations for government contracts, misconduct by a corporate official, tampering with public records or information, falsifying records, prohibited corporation contributions through employees, and concealment or misrepresentation of contributions or expenditures.

Bean suggested a review of the relationship Belmar has with Birdsall and asked his fellow councilmembers what they thought.

Council President Claire Diecke said a reassessment of the relationship should be discussed by council in a closed session after existing projects are complete.

"Let's see those projects through with Birdsall, and then reassess," Diecke said. "They’ve set up all these projects, with regards to along the ocean."

Councilman Brian Magovern said he was glad Bean brought up the issue, but feels the engineering firm has worked well so far.

"They are certainly getting some bad press," Magovern said. "Over the years, I can’t complain about the work they’ve done. Belmar and birdsall go back many many years. In that respect, I have no problem. Let's let it run its cours."

Councilwoman Jennifer Nicolay said a decision tonight would be too soon.

"It’s a little bit early to make any decisions," she said.

Investigations are ongoing and matters are currently in the court system. Bean asked borough attorney if there was issue with discussing the matter.

He also asked if the government's freezing of the firm's assets would impact Belmar.

Borough Administrator Colleen Connelly said she's talked with Birdsall today and their operations continue.

"We've had many conversations today with Birdsall," Connelly said. "They are paying payroll, they are paying their bills, they are still operating."

Borough attorney suggested initial discussions should be held behind closed doors and that he was unfamiliar with the Birdsall charges.

Among the projects Birdsall is overseeing was the design for the rebuild boardwalk, which at a recent meeting saw its price change due to a redesign issue.