RED BANK – A bond ordinance appropriating $3 million for capital improvements in Red Bank has been adopted by members of the Borough Council.
On May 22, council members introduced an ordinance to appropriate funds to finance property improvements, street projects and redevelopment. Bonds or notes totaling $2.68 million would be issued and the borough would use a $290,000 Department of Transportation grant as the down payment, according to the ordinance.
The capital improvements revealed in the ordinance are as follows:
- Preliminary expenses and costs in connection with the evaluation of buildings and properties available for redevelopment, $300,000;
- Improvements to various roads, which are file in the Borough Engineer’s office, $2.5 million;
- Improvements and upgrades to various municipal buildings, including, the Department of Public Works Facility, the Municipal Building and the Senior Center, $200,000.
“I just wanted to thank the governing body for supporting the administration, finance, and all the other departments for putting this ordinance together in order to further the infrastructure improvements for the borough. I think this is a tremendous testament to all of your care and concern,” Business Administrator Ziad Shehady said.
On a roll call vote, Councilwoman Kathleen Horgan, Councilwoman Kate Triggiano, Councilman Erik Yngstrom, Councilman Edward Zipprich and Councilman Hazim Yassin voted “yes” to introduce the spending plan.
Councilman Michael Ballard voted “no” without comment. However, when the spending plan was introduced on May 7, Ballard cited discomfort with the $300,000 redevelopment appropriation.
In other business, members of the governing body, Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), and members of the public thanked Red Bank Regional High School principal Risa Clay, who is retiring, for her service in education.
According to an April 8 statement released by Marianne Kligman, Red Bank Regional Public Information Officer, Clay will resign from her position on Oct. 31. Clay is currently on sick leave from April 3 through Oct. 31.
In his remarks to Clay, Gopal said, “Risa is an extraordinary individual … There are so many students who I come across who, as soon as I say, Monmouth County or Red Bank … (the students) say Risa Clay … When it’s all said and done, the number of lives that (Clay) has touched and will continue to touch will be extraordinary.”
Clay has worked at Red Bank Regional High School for 27 years.