Politics & Government

'Green' Projects Come to Fruition in Brick

Solar project at Chambers Bridge residence, construction of wind turbine at Drum Point complex underway

Two projects aimed at making Brick a little greener have come to fruition.

Last week, the ceremonial ribbon was cut on a rooftop solar panel project at the Chambers Bridge Residence housing complex, and construction of a wind turbine at the Drum Point Sports Complex began.

The panels on the roof of the Chambers Bridge Residence, an apartment building adjacent to the Brick Township Housing Authority buildings off Chambers Bridge Road, are already generating energy. In fact, at 137.54 kilowatts, the panels represent the largest solar generating station in town, according to Carol Wolfe, President of Homes Now Inc., a nonprofit development group that owns the complex.

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"The savings will help us to maintain the low rent for our residents," said Wolfe.

The complex is a 184 unit apartment building that is restricted to house low-income seniors and disabled individuals. The complex also houses 24 developmentally disabled individuals in eight, three bedroom apartments, which are leased to the ARC of Ocean County.

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Homes Now Inc. used some reserve funds, plus a bank loan, to finance the project, and it's already paying off, Wolfe said.

"With the solar, we've already seen a savings in the first month, it comes out to 30 to 40 percent off the electric bill," said Wolfe.

Construction also began last week on a wind turbine that will generate energy at the Drum Point Sports Complex.

The turbine – which will be located adjacent to the softball fields – is a 10 kilowatt system that will consist of 22-foot diameter blades atop an 80-foot high steel pole.  When complete, the turbine's size will be comparable to the sports lights used at the complex, according to township spokesman Ed Moroney.

In May, the township council awarded a $177,560 contract for the installation of the wind turbine to T.R. Weniger, Inc. of Greenbrook, Somerset County.


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