Meeting on Wednesday could affect dozens of properties
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Borough leaders are advising residents in flood-prone areas to attend a meeting next week to learn about the possibility of having their property bought out under a state program.
Deputy Commissioner Richard Boornazian, whom Mayor Angelo Corradino said is responsible for the buyouts throughout the state following Hurricane Sandy, will explain about buyouts of qualified properties affected by flooding on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Manville High School, 1100 Brooks Blvd.
Mayor Corradino said flood buyouts may be possible for 100 to 150 homes in the borough. He said the borough has sent out about 270 invitations to property owners it thinks may be interested in hearing about the program.
The DEP will answer questions regarding eligibility and program details.
An announcement on the borough website says printed information will be available, as well as application forms. It also says it anticipates all information disseminated that evening will be available at Borough Hall the following day.
The borough will not be receiving any funds directly, said Borough Administrator Gary Garwacke. The mayor said the borough expects to pay nothing in this buyout program, with the county having money marked to cover costs the state won’t.
There has been no pre-application process, but the borough has notified by mail those property owners with flood insurance claims over the past 15 years, he said.
The mayor said he met with DEP deputy commissioners in June and October to set up the meeting.
”The meeting is informative in nature and will be the first step in determining which properties can be bought out,” Mr. Garwacke said.
Borough Councilman Richard Onderko, who campaigned on keeping the flooding remedies in the forefront, said, “I think this is significant in that Manville is no longer the forgotten town concerning our serious flooding issues. I hope the residents who live in all flood zones in town turn out to hear about the program.
”More buyouts will bring immediate relief to residents in the hardest-hit areas of town, where it is extremely difficult to sell ones home today, especially in neighborhoods with numerous abandoned homes,” he said.

