Grants Go To Open Space, Parks & More

BRICK – During a recent Township Council Meeting, the governing body approved the insertion of a $1.2 million NJ Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program grant for the preservation of the Breton Woods property.

Development of the 32-acre wooded property was averted when an $8.55 million deal was struck in January between the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee, the township and the contract purchaser, developer D.R. Horton, where the county would pay $6.84 million and Brick would pay $1.71 million, which was offset by the grant.

The governing body approved the addition of a number of grants into the already-adopted 2024 municipal budget, which is permitted when the amount was not determined at the time the budget was adopted.

The Green Acres Program also awarded $1.1 million for the Multi-Park Improvement plans for the renovation of parks throughout the township, most recently Cedar Bridge Manor Park.

Also, the council approved the insertion of a $200,000 grant, awarded by the State’s Department of Community Affairs, which will be used to help offset the cost of senior dialysis transportation.

A $14,000 grant, awarded by the State’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety, is for the Distracted Driver Crackdown Program. The funds will be used to offset the cost of police enforcement for the campaign known as “U Drive. U Text. U Pay,” which prohibits texting and other forms of distracted driving. The program ran for the month of April.

Also, a $50,000 grant awarded by the Ocean County Planning Board will be used to help offset the cost of the operation and maintenance of three pumpout boats.

The Bay Saver, The Bay Defender and a recently arrived third new boat will service the effluent discharge of boaters using the township’s waters.

“The pumpout boats provide a convenient, inexpensive and environmentally safe means for boaters to dispose of effluent waste,” said Councilman Steve Feinman.

“In this grant, Brick operates and maintains the pumpout boats and the county reimburses the township up to $50,000 for costs incurred to the three boats,” he said.

Another revenue item to be inserted into the budget is a NJ Department of Treasury Hazardous Waste 2021 $125,503 Recycling Tonnage Grant.

“In this program, the township receives grant funds based on the amount of recycling we are able to produce,” said Councilman Perry Albanses.

And finally, a $45,150 New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Safe and Secure Communities Program Grant provides municipalities with funding to add law enforcement personnel vital to police operations and other crime-related strategies as warranted by the needs of the community.

“The program allows for the funding of additional officers or funding of law enforcement support personnel, which would free up officers for direct law enforcement activities,” said Councilman Derrick Ambrosino. “In Brick Township, these funds are used to offset Police Department salaries.”

Township Business Administrator said the township is not permitted to include the anticipated cost of the grant unless the township has documentation saying the funds are forthcoming.