Community Projects FY2024

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FY2024 Community Projects for NJ-04

Members of Congress may submit a limited number of public and not-for-profit projects for consideration of direct federal funding. Each project must have garnered local community support and exhibit a demonstrated need. These carefully chosen submissions must also meet stringent criteria established by the committees of jurisdiction, and they are restricted by the rules of the committees. I have developed this page to keep the public informed of these important requests. Please feel free to read about each one below.

Agency/Bureau: Environmental Protection Agency
Account: State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Program: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Request Title: Lakehurst Water Treatment Plant Expansion
Request Description: As proposed, the project will include upgrading the existing facility to modern standards utilizing best practices, as well as replace the water main connecting the Lakehurst Treatment plant to the Manchester Township interconnection. The plan also includes the completion of all piping and water system appurtenances associated with the interconnect vaults. In addition to bringing the existing plant into compliance with pending regulations, this infrastructure upgrade will improve the water system resiliency and cybersecurity, and it will enhance the health and safety of residents and businesses of neighboring municipalities. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds due to the fact it will expand drinking water treatment for water containing contaminants and delivery capacity to communities effected by PFOS groundwater contamination.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: Environmental Protection Agency
Account: State and Tribal Assistance Grants
Program: Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Request Title: Ocean County Central Water Pollution Control Facilities Primary Digester
Request Description: The scope of project includes the rehabilitation of an important and aging treatment plant process unit. The digester tank cover, and the mechanical, structural, electrical and instrumentation systems have reached the end of their useful life and require demolition, replacement, and rehabilitation to ensure continued efficiencies and effective treatment of wastewater. The project will provide additional biogas storage volume that in turn would allow the Authority to decrease operational expenses by producing additional electricity onsite via cogeneration, which will help the Authority stabilize rates for the public. The CWPCF is a secondary wastewater treatment facility located in Berkeley Township, N.J., in my congressional district, commissioned in 1978 with a capacity of 32 million gallons per day. Primary Digester No. 2 is an 85-foot diameter concrete sludge digestion tank with a liquid capacity of 1.2 million gallons. Since being placed into operation in the 1970s, the digester has been subjected to corrosive and destructive elements associated with the treatment of wastewater. This project, Demolition of Existing Cover and Installation of New Cover for Primary Digester No. 2 at the CWPCF.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Account: Federal Assistance
Program: Emergency Operations Centers
Request Title: Monmouth County Emergency Operations Center Renovations
Request Description: As proposed, this project would upgrade critical communications and electronic information infrastructure systems in the Monmouth County EOC. The proposed upgrades would enhance the lifesaving mission of the center which comprehensively evaluates and works to mitigate the damage of natural disasters, extreme weather, environmental emergencies, and pandemics like COVID-19, before, during and after each events. The enhancements will ensure that leaders from the local, state, and federal levels can make the most informed and timely decisions on how to deploy and manage resources amid such difficult circumstances. It is also important to note that the State of New Jersey—specifically, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM)—concurs that the upgrades are of critical importance, writing that the project will “ensure that the County is able to plan, coordinate and respond to large-scale emergencies and other disasters that threaten public safety or health.”

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Account: Federal Assistance
Program: Pre-Disaster Mitigation
Request Title: Bay Head Flood Mitigation Project
Request Description: The scope of work is to complete Phase I of a project to mitigate flooding in Bay Head. Phase I includes detailed analysis. engineering and design of a tidal flow control gate and to raise and install a living shore line/berm around Twilight Lake. The tidal flow control gate will be located on Scow Ditch and will control the flow of storm tidal waters from Barnegat Bay entering Twilight Lake. A swing gate is planned to remain open the majority of the time for recreational activities such as boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc. to pass through the gate. The gate will close as a major storm approaches to contain and stop high flood water levels on Barnegat Bay from passing through Scow Ditch into Twilight Lake. High storm water levels overflow the shoreline of Scow Ditch and Twilight Lake and flood the majority of streets and walkways in Bay Head. A design will also be prepared to raise the shoreline height of Twilight Lake to control flood waters entering the Lake from the Twilight Lake Watershed. A Living Shoreline/Berm will be designed to prevent flood waters overflowing the shoreline. Permits for completing this project will also be prepared so the final product will be a “Construction Ready” design ready for Phase II of the project which is the construction phase. An additional benefit of this project is to improve the ecological health of Twilight Lake by limiting/restricting the flow of pollutants which are now entering Twilight Lake causing environmental harm. A recently completed Twilight Lake Watershed Implementation Plan, March 2022 identifies both the tidal flow control gate and the living shoreline as necessary activities to improve the ecological health of Twilight Lake.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: HUD/Community Planning and Development
Account: Economic Development Initiatives
Program: Economic Development Initiatives
Request Title: Berkeley Township Western Boulevard Expansion Project – Route 9
Request Description: The Township of Berkeley has been seeking funding for the past decade for the Western Boulevard Extension - Route 9 Connection project. This project would connect Western Blvd from its current terminus at the intersection with Northern Blvd, to the proposed intersection with Route 9 and Washington Avenue. Western Boulevard's extension is greatly needed to address several key issues experienced by the Township of Berkeley. The township has large, underdeveloped lands in and around Western Blvd., where it currently terminates with Northern Blvd. The future build of these areas and the redevelopment of the Beachwood Mall site require additional transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of the Township. Route 9 in Berkeley Township has been and remains a major traffic problem for the towns of Berkeley, Pine Beach and Beachwood.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: DOT/ Federal Highway Administration
Account: Highway Infrastructure Projects
Program: Highway Infrastructure Projects
Request Title: Lacey Township Railroad Avenue Extension
Request Description: Funding for this project would complete a vital roadway within Lacey Township, the objective of which is to divert local traffic from regional traffic (U.S. Route 9). The project includes a newly paved roadway, a shared use pedestrian path, stormwater management features, etc. which will now provide a direct connection for several residential neighborhoods with Lacey Road, greatly alleviating traffic congestion along Route 9.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: HUD/Community Planning and Development
Account: Economic Development Initiatives
Program: Economic Development Initiatives
Request Title: Seaside Heights Revitalization Project
Request Description: The Seaside Heights boardwalk and beach experienced a surge of visitors during the pandemic summers of 2020 and 2021. Many people elected to schedule vacations and travel locally rather than accept health risks associated with airline travel, cruise ships, and trains. Outdoor recreational areas, including public boardwalks and beaches, were major destinations for visitors as international travel declined. Likewise, visitor attendance in Seaside Heights during the 2022 season was also extraordinary, likely due to national economic uncertainty, lingering COVID related concerns, and perhaps simply because more New Jerseyans in 2020 and 2021 reconnected with the exceptional vacation destinations in their home state. The demonstrable surge in tourism created a significant demand for more public facilities such as restrooms, showers, and changing rooms. Existing facilities serving the Seaside Heights boardwalk and beach are limited to two small public restroom buildings and six outdoor pedestal showers (in plain view of passersby) and are insufficient to service the large summer crowds that visit Seaside Heights. Long lines predictably form every day at the restroom buildings. The situation needs to change soon for Seaside Heights to remain a destination of choice.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Request Description: The federal funding will pay for much-needed improvements to the apartment homes of low-income senior citizens in the small town of the Borough of Belmar. The repairs include facade repair; modernization of the passenger elevator that is well beyond its life span; new wiring and a video camera to bring the elevator up to code; the replacement of a broken hot water heater; the replacement of a broken retaining wall on the west side of the building; and replacement of carpet/flooring and furniture from leaks in the community room.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Request Description: This project will ensure that the South Toms River recreation center continues to perform its essential function in the community by replacing its failing HVAC system. Without heat and air conditioning, the building will be rendered effectively useless to the many community events and programs it supports, which include summer camps, the Homework Club tutoring program, periodic dances and events, multiple local cheerleading organizations, the local youth baseball teams, other sport groups, support groups, and regular public meetings and events. This HVAC system replacement project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this recreation center is a centerpiece of services, support and outreach offered to residents in the South Toms River community, which is federally designated as a low and moderate income (LMI) jurisdiction. Without heat and air conditioning, the building will be rendered effectively useless to the many community events and programs it supports, and the current system is at the end of its useful life.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: DOJ/Office of Justice Programs
Account: State and Law Enforcement Assistance
Program: Byrne Justice Grants
Request Title: Law Enforcement Support Programs for the Manchester Township Police Department
Request Description: The Manchester Township Police Department requires federal funds to maintain proper staffing levels and replace an aging fleet of patrol vehicles. The federal support will enable the Manchester Police Department to continue delivering critical emergency and law enforcement services to a geographically large municipality where more than 65 percent of the entire population are senior citizens with a very high concentration of 100% disabled veterans. This project has the strong support of local and county elected officials. The Police Department has been unable to purchase replacement vehicles for three years, and at present must replace nine patrol vehicles. Funding for the Manchester Township Police Department is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds as it is in keeping with the stated goals of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program providing additional personnel for basic law enforcement programs and specific funding for the replacement of police cruisers needed to patrol the town and respond to emergencies.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

FY2024 Community Projects for NJ-04 – THUD & CJS

Request Description: The renovation and revitalization of YMCA Camp Zehnder is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds as it supports the goals of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, by meeting one of the three statutorily defined national objectives to principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, as the YMCA provides services to low- and moderate-income individuals regardless of their means. Additionally, the Y of greater Monmouth County meets a critical public health needed by providing year-round mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. Furthermore, this project provides much needed childcare facilities during summer months for working families while schools are out of session, providing parents with predictable schedules to ensure their ability to continue to work year-round. A recent study of the YMCA of Greater Monmouth’s real estate assets concluded that while the camp facility is centrally located to the communities that rely on the YMCA, the camp lacks the modern facilities to safely provide the breadth of services needed, including in inclement weather. As a result, the group is undertaking a revitalization plan. The first phase will include installing a commercial grade generator to ensure safe operations in the event of severe weather and power outages and construct and repair buildings on-site to have space for campers to cool off from the heat and take shelter during severe weather. Ensuring adequate safe shelter for campers will also double the number of families that can be served through the enriching summer camp programs.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Agency/Bureau: HUD/Community Planning and Development
Account: Economic Development Initiatives
Program: Economic Development Initiatives
Request Title: Connections Senior Center

Request Description: The LSS Connections regional senior center will seek to close the current gap in services for seniors and provide: congregate meals and other nutrition services; health and wellness; gym equipment and exercise classes; information and referral and case management programs for government and other programs and services addressing seniors’ basic needs; personal development programs and therapeutic creative modalities such as art classes and talent clubs; educational classes and programs, and a host of other services designed to help bolster seniors and keep them mentally, emotionally and physically active. The goal is to enable seniors to gather with peers in a congregant setting as they continue to live in their homes, thus helping to preserve their quality of life.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Request Description: The Carey Street Extension and Signalization Project will provide infrastructure needed to support downtown expansion, as the immediate area is being developed into critically needed housing units. Core components of the project include road, sidewalks, traffic signal and street lighting, as well as upgrades to drinking water mains, sewers, and storm water management, in addition to critical streetscape features. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds as it is in keeping with the stated goals of the Community Development Block Grant program by meeting a compelling local need for much-needed roadway, streetscape, and safety improvements, and safety precautions to facilitate rapid economic development.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Request Description: The Community Connections project will create an accessible community garden for residents within the greater Monmouth and Ocean County areas. Open to the entire public, this community space would be fully adapted for individuals with special needs and disabilities, offering them access to fast diminishing open space suited for agricultural, recreation, and educational opportunities for the special needs community. Many recreational and agricultural settings are not conducive to those with physical and developmental disabilities as they tend to be poorly paved and contain attractions at ground level or not within reach for those with physical disabilities. The Community Connections greenhouse will be constructed with the priority towards accessibility, ensuring accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Some of these accommodations will include, but are not limited to, raised ADA compliant garden beds, paved paths for safe navigation, and adapted tools. Designated accommodations for those with sensory and communication needs will be incorporated as well.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support

Request Description: Community Project Funding is requested to remove ill-fitting and broken rubberized material, as well as eliminating architectural barriers which currently restrict the mobility and accessibility of this fast-growing handicapped student population, in the SCHI school's Wheelchair Accessible Special Needs Playground. This renovation project is expected to double the number of severely disabled and underprivileged children who are able to participate in this play environment where isolation is decreased, and socialization increased. The Wheelchair Accessible Playground has already helped provide the gift of mobility to over 1,000 children and young adults over the past 15 years. However, the number of children at the school has grown exponentially due to the high rate of children with special needs in New Jersey. For example, in its most recent report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledged that New Jersey’s rate of children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder exceeds the national average.

Letter of Request from Rep. Smith

Letters of Support