KEYPORT — The Borough Council is appropriating $1.7 million to fund road improvements in Keyport.
During a meeting on Sept. 9, council members adopted a bond ordinance that will appropriate $1.7 million for a road improvement project. The ordinance authorizes the issuance of $1.15 million in bonds or notes to finance a portion of the costs.
The appropriation will also be funded by $521,900 in grants from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), consisting of a $270,000 DOT grant from Fiscal Year 2021 and a $251,900 DOT grant from Fiscal Year 2022.
Municipal officials said $28,100 remaining from prior municipal budgets will cover the remaining costs. No down payment is required with the bond ordinance because of the DOT grants that are helping to fund the improvements.
According to the ordinance, the improvements covered by the appropriation include planning and design services, the reconstruction of various roads in the borough and curb repairs throughout Keyport.
In other business, council members approved an application submitted by 149 W. Front St., LLC, for a permit to replace the existing bulkhead at 149 W. Front St. The council’s approval followed a public hearing on the application.
Council members also authorized the approval of bylaws for Keyport BID Inc., doing business as the Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative (KBBC), which is the district management corporation of the Keyport Business Improvement District.
According to municipal officials, the KBBC operates under the guidance of a 13-member board of directors, which comprises the mayor, a member of the Borough Council, a designated Keyport official, a Keyport resident and nine elected business operators and commercial property owners.
Finally, the council authorized the appointment of Andrew Kroh as a laborer in the Department of Public Works.