TRENTON — The Christie Administration has awarded more than $17 million in Clean Communities grants to help municipalities and counties conduct litter cleanup efforts that help beautify New Jersey's communities and roadsides.
West Milford received $60,595.39 from the funding.
"This money is used for cleanup efforts that show the Christie Administration's commitment to protecting our natural resources, enhancing our quality of life and building pride in our cities and towns across the state," said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin.
The DEP is awarding a total of $17.1 million, including $15.2 million to 559 eligible municipalities. Seven municipalities are not eligible because they have fewer than 200 housing units. An additional $1.9 million is being awarded to all 21 counties.
"Many of the largest grants are going to urban cities," said Jane Kozinski, assistant commissioner for Environmental Management. "These grants build civic pride and enable our cities, towns and counties to move ahead with programs that remove litter from our neighborhoods and along our roads and highways, making our state a better place to live and work."
As established by law, the nonprofit New Jersey Clean Communities oversees the reporting requirements for the program. The grants are funded by a legislated user-fee on manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors that produce litter-generating products. Disbursements to municipalities are based on the number of housing units and miles of municipally owned roadways within each municipality.
"New Jersey Clean Communities is a grassroots, community-driven litter abatement program that depends on funding disbursed to towns and counties every year," said Sandy Huber, the group's executive director. "Money used for cleanup, enforcement and education related to litter abatement helps relieve strained municipal budgets, creates employment and promotes volunteerism. We are grateful for the funding and proud of three decades of success in sustaining a reduction in litter statewide."
Township takes it seriously
West Milford holds its Beautification Day each spring where hundreds of volunteers flood the roads, picking up tons of trash and recyclables. This is a township staple, bringing out youth sports teams, scout troops, families and neighbors; however, a few years ago, Recycling Coordinator David Stires instituted recycling into the yearly event, which has been wildly successful. Last year, the township volunteers picked up eight tons of trash, but also collected six tons of recyclables and 12 tons of metal which bring money into the township coffers.
Amounts are sizeable
Municipalities receiving the largest grant awards are: Newark, (Essex County) $355,479; Jersey City, (Hudson County ) $328,191; Toms River (Ocean County) $185,242; Edison Township (Middlesex County) $147,896; Hamilton Township (Mercer County) $157,183; Woodbridge Township (Middlesex County) $145,003; Paterson (Passaic County) $159,203; Elizabeth City (Union) 145,979; Brick Township (Ocean County) $140,369; Middletown (Monmouth County) $126,573; Cherry Hill (Camden County) $124,859; Trenton (Mercer County) $117,080; Clifton (Passaic County) $114,093; Vineland (Cumberland County) $109,499; Franklin Township (Somerset County); $108,389; Camden (Camden County) $104,829; Gloucester Township (Camden County) $102,896; and Old Bridge Township (Monmouth County) $101,259.
The counties receiving the largest grant awards are: Ocean, $177,441, Cumberland, $154,735, Burlington, $144,714, Bergen, $119,061 and Gloucester, $116,628.
Activities funded by the grants include cleanups of stormwater systems that can disperse trash into streams, rivers and bays; volunteer cleanups of public properties; adoption and enforcement of local anti-littering ordinances; beach cleanups; public information and education programs; and purchases of litter collection equipment, litter receptacles, recycling bins, anti-litter signs and supplies to remove graffiti.
For lists of municipal and county grant awards, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/docs/ccg-muni-2014.pdf and http://www.nj.gov/dep/docs/ccg-county-2014.pdf.