Council Meeting -5/20/13 @ 7 pm

The Berkeley Township Council will hold a meeting Monday, May 20, 2013 at 7 pm in the meeting room located at 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road, Bayville, the public is invited.

Caucus Agenda ...... Official Agenda

APPLICATION for Robinhood Relief Funding

Mayor Amato is pleased to announce the receipt of a $200,000.00 grant from the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which is helping residents of the tri-state area recover from Super Storm Sandy. The Township applied to Robin Hood for a grant to help the residents of Berkeley, so many of whom have found insurance and/or federal aid to be inadequate in dealing with all the costs associated with the storm. Repairs to the property, replacement of major household appliances and other housing expenses are some of the gaps with which this grant will help.

Assistance for Robin Hood funds is available only to full-time permanent residents. Business and second home owners are not eligible for Robin Hood funds but may qualify for other assistance for which the Township has received donations. No money will be given to any residents - assistance shall be in the form of gift cards, appliances, or payments on behalf of you made by the Township to contractors. Any bills paid on behalf of a grant recipient must be for work, materials and/or supplies purchased to help the applicant restore and/or move back into their Berkeley residence.

Verification in the form of bills, purchase orders, quotes, etc., must be supplied. Applicants must have been a full-time resident of Berkeley Township on October 29, 2012. Proof of identification and residency are required. If you are a full-time renter, you must show proof of being a resident on October 29, 2012, as well as a current lease showing you are moving (or have moved) back to Berkeley. Grants are expected to range from $300.00 to $1,000.00 and a determination as to the exact amounts will be done after all applications have been received and reviewed. Please note all claims and requests must be supported by the appropriate documentation and an interview may be necessary. The Township will receive applications at Town Hall beginning Monday, May 13th. Applications may be dropped off in person to the Township Clerk's Office, mailed to: Berkeley Township Hurricane Relief Fund, Post Office Box B, Bayville, NJ 08721 or faxed to 732-505-0145 ....Click Here for the Application

State Database Provides Information on
Flood and Salvage-Titled Vehicles

Before Purchasing a used Automobile, Mayor Amato would like residents to be aware that the State Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has set up a database of flood and salvage-titled vehicles damaged by Super Storm Sandy. .......More

JCP&L- Sandy-Related Repairs
For Demolitions and Elevations

FROM JCP&L: We understand the hardships still being experienced by customers whose homes and belongings were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. JCP&L remains committed to working with federal, state and local agencies in a coordinated effort to rebuild and restore your service. .......More

Giving New Jerseyans Choice In Recovery

The Christie Administration has put forward a plan to spend $300 million in federal funds that will give homeowners the option to sell Sandy-damaged homes

...More Information

Public Notice
Police Department Accreditation

The Berkeley Township Police Department is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of its program to achieve accreditation by verifying that it meets recognized professional best practices. Administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with best practice standards in five basic areas: the administrative function, the personnel function, the operations function, the investigative function, and the arrestee/detainee function. Agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling 732.914.8966 on Monday, May 20, 2013 between the hours of 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team. Email comments can be sent to the police department at blair@btpdnj.org. Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Berkeley Township Police Department, 631 Pinewald-Keswick Road, Bayville, NJ 08721. Please contact the accreditation office at 732.341.1132 x125 for more information. Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Berkeley Township Police Departments ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them by email to Harry J Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager, hdelgado@njsacop.org, by phone 856.988.5880, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chief's of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 11,000 Lincoln Drive West, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053. ....Printable Notice

Homeowner Resettlement Program

What is this program? The Homeowner Resettlement Program provides $10,000 in funding assistance to eligible homeowners. In an effort to support homeowners' decisions to stay in their homes and contribute to the rebuilding of their neighborhoods, the Homeowner Resettlement Program was created to provide struggling homeowners with financial relief to help them make the decision to proceed with home improvements and resettle in their homes. The resettlement program is anticipated to stabilize neighborhoods by encouraging homeowners to stay and rebuild. Owners will execute a promissory note with terms and conditions such as flood insurance and a commitment to remain in the county as intended by the program.

Who is eligible? Eligible homeowners must have occupied their home as a primary residence at the time of the storm. Homeowners must have registered with FEMA. The home must be located in one of the nine most impacted and distressed counties. Homes must have sustained a minimum of FEMA full verified loss (FVL) determination of Major or Severe ($8,000 or greater) or more than one foot of flooding on the first floor. The Resettlement program is not individually income restricted although sixty percent (60%) of award funds will be reserved for low and moderate income households. APPLICANTS WILL BE PROCESSED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.

How do I apply? The Department of Community Affairs will be posting on its website outreach and application information coordinated through a Superstorm Sandy Housing Incentive Program (SSHIP) manager. This SSHIP manager will establish intake centers in each of the nine most impacted and distressed counties along with website intake, phone and remote assistance.

DCA Sign up

More Information

Homeowner Reconstruction, Rehabilitation
Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program

The Homeowner Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program Will provide up to $150,000 in grant funding assistance to eligible homeowners. The RREM Program will provide funds to help homeowners repair their primary residence damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The program is designed for the homeowner to work with a prequalified contractor selected to undertake the construction. The State will conduct federally-required reviews, including environmental clearances.

Who is eligible? Eligible homes must have been owner-occupied primary residences at the time of the storm. Homeowners must have registered with FEMA. The RREM program will serve households with adjusted household incomes under $250,000. Applicants will be processed on a first received, first evaluated basis. Homes must be located in one of the nine most impacted and distressed counties (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Oceans and Union), and will be prioritized based on the degree of sustained damages, per program guidelines.

What will the program fund? Awards are limited to a per household benefit of up to $150,000 (based on the amount of damage). Funding can be used for eligible costs for rehabilitation, reconstruction, demolition (incidental to reconstruction), elevation and storm mitigation as determined by the State Department of Community Affairs and its contractors. The State must subtract from the award any duplication of benefits, which includes funds received by the homeowner for rebuilding from other sources such as insurance, FEMA and SBA.

How do I apply? The Department of Community Affairs will be posting on its website follow-up outreach events and information coordinated through a Superstorm Sandy Housing Incentive Program (SSHIP) manager. This SSHIP manager will establish intake centers in each of the nine most impacted counties along with website intake, phone and remote assistance. The SSHIP manager will assign a case worker to direct and assist homeowners through the RREM approval, construction and funding process. Click to sign up for updates on the application process for this and other programs that will be administered through the State DCA.

DCA Updates Sign up

More Information

UCEDC Offering 2% Working
Capital Loans For Small Businesses

UCEDC is a Non Profit Economic Development Corporation offering a 2% working Capital Loan for Superstorm Sandy recovery. ....More

UCEDC Website

Mayor-Council Oppose Proposed Flood Maps

At the March 25th Meeting The Council adopted the new flood maps with reservations. Mayor Amato and the Council also are determined to get the new "V" zone designations changed and approved two resolutions outlining their opposition. ....RESOLUTION - PROCLAIMING ITS ADOPTION OF THE ADVISORY BASE FLOOD ELEVATIONS UNDER EXTREME PROTEST

....RESOLUTION - SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE 9TH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION IN IDENTIFYING GREATER MEANS OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IMPACTED BY THE NEW FEMA REGULATIONS

....Ordinance Adopting the Flood Map

Council Unanimously Adopts
Ordinance To Grant Dune Easments

Mayor Amato announces the Township Council adopted two Ordinances on April 22nd that will assist homeowners in the rebuilding process. Ordinance AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT OF AN EASEMENT FOR THE CREATION OF DUNES AS REQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ON PROPERTY KNOWN AS BLOCK 1720, LOTS 3, 3.02, 4.01, 4.02 & 4.03.

RESOLUTION - REQUESTING THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ADD THE SHORES OF ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK TO ITS DUNE PROJECT

Ordinance AMENDING CHAPTER XXXV ENTITLED "LAND DEVELOPMENT" TO AMEND SECTION 35-95( I.GRANDFATHERING PROVISION FOR UNDERSIZED LOTS FOR LOT AREA and II. PROVISION FOR HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Seminar
Watch the Recording

Mayor Amato has made available the recordings for the two informational seminars.

WATCH A RECORDING OF BOTH SEMINARS..Click here Watch

Dune Replenishment Program
South Seaside Park

Mayor Amato recently met with representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection to discuss the dune replenishment program specifically for South Seaside Park. Since the damage from Super Storm Sandy and the two nor'easter storms that have occurred since, Mayor Amato and the members of the governing body are committed to working with State and Federal Officials to rebuild a safer and stronger dune system. Berkeley Township has been advised that the project will be 100% funded by State and Federal resources. The beach replenishment program will fall under the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) program. All private property owners of ocean front property in the Township will receive information from our Township Attorney in an effort to obtain signed easements so the beach replenishment will commence. ....Click Here For The information obtained from this meeting

....Army Corps of Engineers Project Proposal

NJDEP BLUE ACRES PROGRAM

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications from residents located in flood prone areas that wish to sell their properties through its Blue Acres Program. People who are eligible for blue acres are those that have been damaged by or prone to incurring damage caused by storms or related storm flooding or that may buffer or protect other lands from such damages. Acquired properties are permanently deed restricted as open space in accordance with the NJDEP statutes and are made open to the public. If you wish to participate or apply for this program, the application can be found at: Blue Acres Application

NJDEP Blue Acres Info Page

STATE REGULATIONS
From Hurricane Sandy

Mayor Amato would like all residents to be aware of the following: Trenton, NJ - Taking action to give New Jersey families, businesses and local governments the best available guidance to quickly and more durably rebuild from Hurricane Sandy, ... More

Statement of Imminent Peril Mandating Flood Hazard Amendments

NJDEP Flood Hazard Emergency Rule

Board Of Public Utilities
Energy Incentives

Mayor Amato is pleased to announce that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has recently enhanced and expanded their Clean Energy Program incentives to aid residents, businesses and local government that sustained damage caused by Huricane Sandy. We have extended our programs to include higher rebates on incentives for replacing residential appliances and commercial equipment. Additionally, we are waiving some requirements to help expedite our processes, to ensure participants receive our assistance as quickly as possible. Also, our programs offer financial assistance for gut-rehabs and new construction.

In response to Hurricane Sandy, the Clean Energy Program has also introduced a new suite of equipment replacement incentives for the food service industry. As many restaurants and food-related businesses were destroyed along the coast ...More

Residents Affected by Sandy
FREE Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Mayor Amato is pleased to announce the township, in conjunction with the NJ Division of Fire Safety have acquired (CO) Carbon Monoxide Detectors for distribution to those residents affected by Super Storm Sandy. They are free of charge and available on a first come first serve basis. One per household. Residents can pick up the detector at Town Hall in the Fire Prevention Bureau on the 2nd floor. Residents must show proof of residence. "As residents repair and rebuild, we want to make sure they have these detectors for their safety. I want to thank Chief Ken Anderson, of the Bayville Fire Company for taking the lead on behalf of our township to acquire these lifesaving detectors." Mayor Amato said.

Mayor Amato and Chief DiMichele Announce
Route 35 Entry Checkpoint Discontinued

Mayor Amato and Chief DiMichele are pleased to announce that the Route 35 Entry Checkpoint in Seaside Park and all Checkpoints in South Seaside Park have been discontinued. Police units will continue to be assigned to patrol the area. Residents who see any suspicious activity, should immediately report it to the Berkeley Township Police Department: (732)341-6600 or use the anomious tip line: (732) 341-1132 ext: 611. ....More

Mayor Amato Announces
Emergency Notification System

Mayor Amato has introduced an emergency notification system to alert residents and inform them in emergency situations. Click here to Sign-up

Planning Board TDR and Real Estate Market Analysis All the REMA and TDR information is posted on our Planning Board Page ..Click here to take you to the page