The council approved the deal under resolution AN. Upon hearing those letters, Councilman Joe Sisco voiced his joy in a play on words, stating "Amen," touching off laughter. Sisco said the road to a new police/court facility has been lengthy.

"I’ve been bugging you guys for four years. I want to put the shovel into the ground before I die."

In addition, the council passed Ordinance 1055, which amended the original $4.4 million justice complex funding mechanism. While the amount remains the same, the new law raises the Section 20 earmark for pre-construction formalities from $300,000 to $550,000.

Township Clerk William Wilk said the adjustment was necessary, since the Section 20 costs were higher than foreseen.

"Of course, it was an estimate, and we were off."

Wilk said the $4.4 million justice complex allotment is still deemed sufficient for the project. He said, currently, the facility, at 10,000 square feet, is projected at $2.85 million. Wilk added, even with the Section 20 increase, there remains a cushion for additional construction costs.

"Even if it were to go to $3 million, that would leave us $350,000 for other things."

The administrator said money will limit the amount of green technology used.

"Like this building," he said about town hall, "budget is going to dictate a lot."

Wilk said, as things stands, the justice complex groundbreaking will happen in early spring 2009, taking about 12 months to complete. He said the next stage, schematics preparation, will entail much back and forth between officials.

In a separate dialogue, Mayor Eugene Kulick said he is content the Township Council authorized a justice complex architect. Kulick said he is dismayed about the holdup.

"It only took them a year," he said. "I want to know why it took so long to make a decision. We could have had this thing specked out. I think they did this purposely to drag their feet."

Kulick added he had recommended an architect in May. He said the council had been studying the issue since then. He also noted the governing body took months to approve a justice complex construction manager, which was done earlier this year.

Councilman William Liess said time was needed to ensure that all preparations were done properly. Liess said insufficient planning wastes money. The councilman said, as a former Clifton superintendent of schools, he knows the importance of careful handling of building proposals.

Kulick said the $4.4 million justice complex budget will not be enough, when demolition costs are included. He said the two jobs are the Cardinal Realty property on Union Avenue, the future complex’s site, and the razing of the current Stevens Avenue headquarters. Nonetheless, Liess said both those expenses are included in the $4.4 million.

Liess also said Kulick delayed the justice complex endeavor by fighting over its location with the governing body.

Police Chief Gerald Hunter said the architect selection is welcome news as a new headquarters is sorely needed.

"It’s a long-time coming, and I’m sure that everyone including myself is anxiously waiting to see it completed. My concern is to get a safe environment for the officers, and all employees."

Hunter said the predicted 2010 police/court building completion date is none too soon.

"It’s too bad it couldn’t be sooner. We’re long overdue."