Community Grant Decision Forthcoming Monday

At next Monday's River Edge Mayor and Council meeting, the governing body will officially decide what projects they will seek funding for from the 2012 Commuity Development Block Grant applications.

The borough is allowed to apply for up to three projects but first has to narrow the list down from five possiblities: the senior bus driver salary and wages, senior bus dispatcher salary and wages, senior citizen activities, a replacement senior bus, or sidewalk and curb work on Oxford Terrace and Rutgers Place.

According to Borough Administrator Alan Negreann, the council has to approve its 2012 application projects by Sept. 17 for an endorsing resolution as the final applications are due to the County on Oct. 5.

As of , the borough was waiting on cost estimates for the curb and sidewalk project from borough engineer Robert Costa. The idea of replacing the  had been  as the prior bus was initially purchased through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

The former 2001 Ford bus, purchased with a $48,000 CDBG application was auctioned off following the discovery that the frame and chassis had major rust issues. The borough's lone remaining bus carries appriximately 49 passengers a week. 

Previously River Edge has submitted applications for the ,  including SCORE, The borough has received an estimated $14,500 for the bus driver's salary and $4,300 for the dispatcher's. The overall driver's salary is approximately $30,000 and the dispatcher receives $10,000 annually.

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