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June 20, 2007

Mayor McCormac Targets Grant $$$ to Help Fund Innovative
Programs and Initiatives… $3.8 Million Obtained in 2007…

Mayor John E. McCormac today announced that the Township Administration has received a $500,000 grant from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders which will be used to purchase and install new playground equipment and to upgrade and maintain recreational facilities throughout Woodbridge Township. The funding is provided via the Middlesex County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

“I’m pleased to report that the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel have authorized $500,000 in Open Space funds which will be used to purchase new playground equipment and to make improvements at parks and recreational facilities throughout Woodbridge Township,” Mayor McCormac said. “The county parks in Woodbridge Township, under the direction of Freeholder Pete Dalina, are a model for how our parks should look. The county grant will get us that much closer to our goal and will allow the Parks and Recreation Department to install new playground equipment, upgrade existing equipment, and improve our park and recreational facilities for the upcoming summer months.”

“We are pleased to make this annual grant to Woodbridge Township,” said Freeholder Director Crabiel, noting that the Freeholder Board dedicates Open Space dollars for use in projects that have wide-ranging benefits to the community. “Mayor McCormac’s decision to use the funds for new playground equipment and improvements to parks and recreational facilities certainly fits that bill,” Crabiel said.

According to Mayor McCormac, the Parks and Recreation Department has begun the process of identifying parks and playgrounds in all ten Township communities for improvements and new equipment.

“ Woodbridge Township parks and recreational facilities are a showcase and, with the addition of this Open Space funding, our Township parks and playgrounds will be even better, offering more playground and recreational opportunities for everyone,” said Township Councilman and Vice-President Rick Dalina.

Mayor McCormac noted that as a result of identifying and aggressively pursuing federal, state, and county grants, as well as private funding opportunities, Woodbridge has secured nearly $3.8 million in grant monies in just the first six months of 2007. The Township has received grants for programs ranging from helping residents achieve housing self-sufficiency, to hiring additional police officers, to providing added health services for senior residents, to planting trees as part of a county-wide reforestation program, to promoting Woodbridge’s first open air Farmer’s Market. The grants include:

• $24,742 from the U.S. Department of Justice for police and public safety equipment and training;
• $20,000 from the New Jersey Department of the Treasury for Emergency Management Assistance;
• $60,000 from the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety for Safe & Secure Communities;
• $90,000 from the New Jersey Department of Health & Human Services for the Multi-Service Program on Aging;
• $39,900 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the “No Net Loss Reforestation” program to plant new trees;
• $60,000 from the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety for the Safe & Secure Communities Program;
• $84,837 from the Middlesex County Municipal Alliance for Woodbridge Township Health Programs;
• $24,723.33 from the U.S. Department of Justice - Justice Assistance Grant;
• $21,889 from the Middlesex County OEM for communications equipment;
• $600,000 from the federal Housing and Urban Development for the Woodbridge Housing Authority’s Resident Opportunity & Self-Sufficiency Program;
• $99,467 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the Clean Communities Program;
• $45,384 from the New Jersey Department of Health & Human Services for Public Health Priority Programs;
• $650,564 from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant;
• $1,351,000 from the U.S. Housing & Urban Development for Housing Projects;
• $5,290 from the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission for the Barron Arts Center;
• $8,400 from the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety for pedestrian safety programs;
• $15,000 from the Middlesex County Solid Waste for recycling;
• $5,520 from the New jersey Department of Health & Human Services for Health Department Programs;
• $1,450 from Jersey Fresh Promotion for Farmers’ Market;
• $15,485 from the New Jersey Department of health & Human Services for Health Dept. Pandemic Flu Preparedness;
• $65,492 from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for the Bio-diesel Fuel Rebate Program;
• $500,000 from the Middlesex County Open Space Program for playground upgrades;
• $1,000 from the Middlesex County MCSET as part of the Hybrid vehicle rebate program;
• $4,000 from the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control for underage drinking enforcement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
John R. Hagerty
Mayor’s Office of Communications
732-602-6039

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