RED BANK — Municipal officials in Red Bank are taking action to create a subdivision of the Red Bank Senior Center property for purposes of open space preservation along the Navesink River.
During a meeting on Sept. 28, members of the Borough Council passed a resolution directing Borough Attorney Daniel Antonelli and borough representatives to file an application with the Planning Board seeking approval to subdivide the senior center property at 80 Shrewsbury Ave. The property borders the Navesink River.
The council’s resolution states that the purpose of seeking the subdivision is to ensure that facilities that are important to seniors and open space along the riverfront are both protected.
According to the resolution, the mayor and members of the council believe significant importance should be placed on the public use and/or borough ownership of riverfront properties in Red Bank because of the properties’ public value that is seen as transcending economic, cost or market-based factors.
“The mayor and council further believe that in order to protect facilities important to the seniors and to protect open space, that a subdivision of the senior citizens property is warranted.
“The mayor and council hereby affirm their commitment to preserve the public use, intrinsic community value, and public trust doctrine with respect to management of riverfront properties within the borough,” municipal officials stated in the resolution.
In other business, council members adopted a bond ordinance which amends a bond ordinance that was adopted in February and involves the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the senior center.
The amended bond ordinance changes the description of the improvement to the senior center to include improvements to various municipal facilities.
The bond ordinance appropriates $1.94 million for improvements to the senior center and various municipal facilities, and authorizes the issuance of $870,000 in bonds or notes to finance part of the costs.
The reconstruction and rehabilitation of the senior center is scheduled to include interior improvements such as upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, electrical improvements and improvements to all bathrooms, floors and walls; and exterior improvements such as the replacement and installation of windows and siding, and roof repairs, according to the bond ordinance.