Berkeley Township receives Clean Communities Grant

The NJ DEP has awarded Berkeley Township a $136,028.00 Clean Communities Grant.

Berkeley Mayor Carmen Amato says it will be used to offset salaries of employees who clean and maintain the parks and beaches as well as provide funding to non-profit and civic groups in the adopt a spot or road programs.

"The $136,028 Department of Environmental Protection Clean Communities Grant award is good news for Berkeley taxpayers and local non-profit, civic and community groups," Amato said. "The Township will use a portion of this grant to offset salaries of employees that clean and maintain our parks and beaches along with the funding of mini-grants to local non-profit civic and community groups that take advantage of our "Adopt a Spot" or "Adopt a Road" program.”

The Township instituted some changes in the local program last year.

"Adopt a Spot" or "Adopt a Road" locations must be pre-approved through an application process and organizations will be limited to a maximum of two at separate locations.

"This is an effort to accommodate as many local groups and locations as possible and to ensure funds are available for the group," Amato said.

If the Township has left over funding, groups can reapply.

“Any non-profit civic or community group in the township that signs up to participate in our "Adopt a Spot" or "Adopt a Road" project can receive $500 for their organization,” Amato said. “These clean-ups provide a valuable service in keeping our township clean. The funding also provides for equipment related to the clean-ups, education and enforcement of litter laws. We plan on using some of these groups to help tidy up our streets and areas along the maritime areas where remnants of Super Storm Sandy remain."

Any nonprofit organizations in Berkeley that want to participate in the program, should call Public Works at 732-341-1022.

"It's a Win-Win situation for our Township. Nonprofit community groups take advantage of the funding and the township benefits that we are able to get areas of our town cleaned up," Amato said.

More Jersey Shore News: