East Newark, N.J. calls noon meeting to throw out all bids for Grant Avenue paving job

First reported by Hudson TV

EAST NEWARK, N.J. — The East Newark Mayor and Council have called a special meeting for noon Monday, Oct. 26, to reject every bid received for the borough’s Grant Avenue roadway project and put the job out to bid again, according to a notice posted by the borough clerk.

The notice lists one item: “Authorizing the Rejection of All Bids and Readvertisement for Bids for the FY 2025 NJDOT Municipal Aid Program – Grant Avenue Roadway Improvements Project.” It adds that “formal action may or may not be taken.” The notice doesn’t say how many bids came in, what they were, or why the borough wants to reject them.

The notice is signed by Borough Clerk Dr. Cosmo A. Cirillo. Cirillo, a former West New York commissioner, filed a 2027 campaign committee in West New York this week, Hudson TV reported Friday.

A state-funded street job

The New Jersey Department of Transportation awarded East Newark $467,172 for “Grant Avenue Roadway” in its fiscal year 2025 Municipal Aid grants, according to the state’s grant list.

The borough also set aside local money for the work. Bond Ordinance 14-2025, which the council adopted 6-0 on Nov. 12, 2025, authorizes $950,000 for road work:

• Grant Avenue, from Central Avenue to the Kearny border: $500,000, with the $467,172 NJDOT grant to be applied to it
• Sherman Avenue, entire length: $450,000, with a $408,427 NJDOT grant to be applied to it

The minutes list De Oliveira, Diaz, Evaristo, Graham, Reis and Zincavage voting yes.

What happens next

State law lets a town reject all bids and readvertise a job for certain reasons. The agenda item covers both rejecting the bids and readvertising the job.

The meeting is in the Municipal Chambers at Borough Hall, 34 Sherman Ave. The notice says other business that “properly comes before the Mayor and Council” may also be taken up.

Hudson TV asks: East Newark residents, how bad is Grant Avenue right now? Tell us in the comments.

Want to know if you’re overpaying on property taxes in East Newark? Check your address at gardenstate.ai/property-tax