MATAWAN – After having operated from an outdated building at 150 Main St. for quite some time, the Matawan Police Department will be moving into a unit at the back of Borough Hall, 201 Broad St.
Mayor Joseph Altomonte said the building on Main Street was constructed in about 1920 as a bank. The rear section of the building, the affected area, was part of a renovation that was completed in 1972.
“That building has been in decline for years, perhaps decades. When my colleagues on the Borough Council and I decided to ‘Restore Matawan,’ that building is a perfect example of why,” Altomonte said.
“As for the specific issue that has forced our police department to move to the (unit) at Borough Hall, during a recent storm, damage was done to the roof (of the building) and we experienced pretty severe water damage. We are working with our insurance adjuster to understand the full scope of the damage,” he said.
“The police department is currently working from multiple locations, including patrol cars. While the current situation requires a permanent solution that avoids putting the police department in this situation again, our dedicated officers are still able to provide their high standard of service that made us the safest small town in New Jersey,” Altomonte said.
Altomonte said the Police Committee, the borough administrator, the police chief and the police department’s command staff are evaluating the department’s options. The mayor said the community will be updated on the situation as decisions are made.