BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer
RUMSON — The borough has been handsomely rewarded by the state through grants, in part, for being so handsome.
At the Borough Council meeting on Oct. 7, Borough Administrator Bruce Hilling presented four resolutions to the council, concerning funds to be added to the budget from different state grants.
The council voted to pass all of the resolutions, which, combined, equal close to $160,000.
The grants include $150,000 from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) for the curbing and resurfacing of Hance Road.
Hance Road runs through not only Rumson, but also the Borough of Little Silver. The two boroughs have an agreement concerning Hance Road and Oaks Road, the other roadway they share.
According to Little Silver Borough Administrator Michael Biehl, the borough has agreed to maintain Oaks Road, and Rumson has agreed to do the same for Hance Road.
“We repaved Oaks Road a number of years ago,” said Biehl. “Now Rumson is doing the same on Hance.”
Hilling said the project is going out to public bid and he hopes to receive bids on Oct. 19 and award the project in November.
The stretch of Hance Road, due to receive the repairs, runs from Rumson Road to Ridge Road.
Cost of the project is estimated between $280,000-$290,000. Since only a portion of that will be covered by the grant, funds put aside in the borough’s 2004 Roads Program will be used for the balance.
“We might be able to get some preliminary work done before the cold weather moves in,” said Hilling.
Three other grants are more general in nature.
The Clean Communities Grant for $501.66 was awarded to the borough from the state as a reward for keeping a clean community.
“It is to be used to support programs to beautify the town,” said Hilling. “Including equipment and labor costs.”
Hilling said the borough receives this money every year, and that there was a slight increase this year from last.
The borough received an Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Grant from the state as well, in the sum of $624.14 to be applied to alcohol and drug education by the borough police department.
The Recycling Tonnage Grant the borough received in the amount of $8,477.21 is also an award from the state, in this case for the borough’s top-rated recycling program.
“Rumson leads the way with our recycling program,” said Hilling. “This is like a reward from the state for municipal recycling programs.”
According to Hilling, the three smaller grants are awarded by the state noncompetitively and are based on reports that the borough fills out every year.