Vineland authorizes emergency $89,000 repair for collapsed stormwater pipe

Vineland authorizes emergency $89,000 repair for collapsed stormwater pipeThe City Council has declared an infrastructure emergency after a stormwater piping failure created a sinkhole on E. Chestnut Avenue, threatening the structural integrity of a local roadway.

A failed stormwater pipe caused a sinkhole to develop at a driveway entrance, prompting an emergency declaration to protect public safety.

Local contractor Perna Finnigan, Inc. was awarded a repair contract not to exceed $89,924.75.

The council also approved a $3.19 million temporary emergency appropriation for the Water Utility Fund pending the final 2026 budget.

During its May 12, 2026 meeting, the Vineland City Council adopted a resolution declaring an infrastructure emergency to address a failed stormwater pipe that caused a sinkhole to develop at 4621 E. Chestnut Avenue. According to the meeting packet, the City Engineer's Office reported that the failure presented a serious threat to public health and welfare. Officials noted that without prompt intervention, the sinkhole would further undermine the structural integrity of the driveway entrance and require more extensive repairs. To expedite the remediation, the City Engineer's Office solicited quotations outside the standard public bidding timeline due to the emergent nature of the collapse. The council authorized the Purchasing Agent to issue purchase orders to Vineland-based contractor Perna Finnigan, Inc. The emergency repair contract is capped at a maximum of $89,924.75, with the Chief Financial Officer certifying the availability of funds. In a separate financial measure, the council also approved a temporary emergency appropriation of $3.19 million for the Water Utility Fund to cover ongoing operational commitments pending the final adoption of the city's calendar year 2026 budget.