Town awaits grant funding

PLUMSTED - The township has been selected to participate in Ocean County's 2008 funding cycle for $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, according to Mayor Ron Dancer.

Of the 33 municipalities in Ocean County, 15 were selected (including Plumsted) based upon historical spending patterns, timeliness and population. The primary objective of the federal government's Title 1 Housing and Community Development Act - which is the funding source of the $1.4 million county CDBG program - is the development of viable communities by providing an improved residential environment and expanded economic opportunities, according to the mayor.

The Township Committee will select a project to be funded with the CDBG prior to the Feb. 7, 2008 submittal deadline.

In addition to receiving funding for a selected community-at-large project, township residents will be eligible to apply for more federal housing and development programs, Dancer said.

Beginning in January 2008, the First Time Home Buyers program will be available to low-income applicants with $10,000 grants (no payback) for down payments.

For tenants, a rental assistance program will be offered and administered by the Ocean County Board of Social Services to Plumsted residents. This program is in addition to the state's Section 8 rental assistance for low-income applicants.

The final new program for 2008 will be the Home Improvement and Rehabilitation Program with $20,000 to 50,000 grants available to qualified residents.

Applications for these programs should be available in January and interested residents should contact the township for further information.

In other news, Dancer said the entire length of Lakeview Drive, from Main Street New Egypt, has been newly paved as a result of the Township Committee obtaining a state Department of Transportation grant in the amount of $140,000.

The committee has authorized and submitted another grant application requesting $128,047 to pave more streets extending from Lakeview Drive. Within the financial parameters of this grant application, the following five streets off Lakeview Drive would be scheduled for paving next summer: Brazil Drive, Crystal Avenue, Terrace Avenue, Chestnut Avenue and Twin Drive.

As more grant funds become available in the next grant cycle, the remaining streets in this neighborhood, Oakford Avenue and Locust Lane will be also be paved, the mayor said.

Anyone interested in serving on the Plumsted Arts Council may contact the township clerk's office at (609) 758-2241, ext. 101.

Volunteers are needed to continue showcasing the performing and fine arts venues. In 2007 the arts council presented Youth Art Month at the library in March; sponsored the high school scholarship program; organized and staffed the Independence Day fireworks, concert and arts festival that attracted more than 5,000 people; and presented the A Capella music festival in November.

The next regularly scheduled public meeting of the Township Committee is Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.