Matawan to seek $158K block grant for center Funding would be used for ADA compliance, part of phase one plan

By paul dowd

Matawan to seek $158K block grant for center
Funding would be used
for ADA compliance,
part of phase one plan

MATAWAN — The borough’s Citizen Participation Group has recommended to the Borough Council that it seek $158,000 in block grant funding for the community center.

The council did not have a quorum at the June 27 meeting, so those present took a straw vote so they could receive the recommendation.

The borough had a July 1 deadline for the block grant application, though it probably could have been extended, according to Borough Administrator Joseph Leo. Leo added that the council wanted everything to be prepared regardless of an extension.

The grant money, which is administered by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with the county Community Development Program, must be used for a specific place in need of funding within a qualifying municipality.

The grant money would be used to help bring the Broad Street Community Center into compliance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.

In years past, according to Mayor Robert Clifton, the borough has received community block funding for various road and street improvements.

According to Leo, using block grants for the community center is not unprecedented. In 1997, the borough received a $25,000 block grant which it used to fund design work for the center’s needed ADA improvements.

The architectural firm of Sonnenfeld & Trocchia, Fair Haven, is under contract to prepare the design work of this phase of the project.

The five members of the citizens group, which was appointed by the mayor in May and concluded its work Thursday, are Leo, Borough Engineer Robert Bucco, Councilwoman Debra Buragina, and residents Paul Buccellato and Fred Sklenar.

At the first of two public hearings held on June 16 and 23, Bucco outlined in specific detail the various needs for ADA compliance; in addition, reports from Sonnenfeld & Trocchia were read. The citizens group also discussed various options in terms of applying for funding.

According to Leo, the citizens group recommended that the borough apply for construction funds to support ADA improvements at the community center in order to accommodate the relocation of important borough offices to that site.

Since the borough bought the building from the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District in 1992, there have been plans to move the daily operations from borough hall to the community center.

In addition to the ADA upgrades, phase one improvements at the center include the installation of a new dais, a new sound system and new carpeting for the main room where borough meetings are held. Plans also include an overall update of the electrical wiring and the reconfiguration of rooms for office space in the former school building.

"This grant is a positive thing for the town," said Leo. "We’re trying to get this project off the ground."