Edison Moves To Buy $241K Brine Maker After Harsh Winter

EDISON, NJ — After one of its toughest winters in more than a decade, Edison is looking to change how it prepares roads for snow and ice.

The Township Council took up a resolution at its Monday, meeting to buy a brine maker and storage tanks for up to $241,301.32. The equipment would let township crews make and store their own liquid brine, a salt-and-water mix spread on roads before a storm hits.

Mayor Sam Joshi said the purchase follows “one of the most severe winters the Township has experienced in over a decade.”

“Obtaining a brine maker helps keep roads safer and more reliable during winter storms by allowing crews to treat roads proactively and use materials more effectively,” Joshi said.

He said brine works better than rock salt in some of the trickiest spots on the road.

“Brine sticks to roads better than salt, making it ideal for hills, bridges, intersections, and other high-traffic areas,” Joshi said. “It is also cost-effective and reduces environmental impact by using less salt than traditional methods.”

The purchase would be made through the Bergen County Cooperative Pricing System, according to the resolution. The money would come from the township’s capital account for buying vehicles and equipment.

The council also took up a separate resolution expanding the purchasing options for snow plow and spreader parts, equipment and repairs, which the council previously authorized on Oct. 14 for up to $250,000. That resolution does not change the spending limit.

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