Thursday, May 23, 2013
Contract for demolition, clearing of destroyed homes will be re-bid
The township-led program that will include the demolition of potentially hundreds of homes destroyed by Superstorm Sandy has hit a snag. The $8.2 million program, which will also include the carting away of debris from destroyed neighborhoods, will have to be rebid after it was determined that one of the winning bidders does not hold the proper licensing for a portion of the project. The Private Property Debris Removal, or PPDR, program is run by FEMA and allows the township to take on the task of demolishing destroyed homes or entire neighborhoods. FEMA then reimburses the township 75 percent of the cost, with the remainder coming from homeowners' insurance policies, disaster grants or other funding mechanisms. The township would pay …
Pennsylvania senator who stopped vote criticized; Menendez says he will introduce insurance rate bill
The Brick Township council this week unanimously supported a resolution urging the federal government to put off flood insurance rate hikes. Brick residents in flood zones face insurance rates of up to $31,000 per year if they do not raise their homes since the federal government's subsidization of the National Flood Insurance Program was eliminated by an act of congress last year. Last week, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) blocked a measure that would have delayed the rate hikes, during which time a study could be conducted on insurance affordability and grant funding to help people raise homes could be obtained, if necessary. Toomey said at the time that his aim is to make the insurance program more financially sound, though the resolution …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
County will apply for loan through CDBG to boost ratable base
Adoption of the county budget was once again postponed, as the county recently became aware of possible funding that could boost its ratable base, which was drastically cut due to Superstorm Sandy. The Ocean County Freeholders approved a resolution at its regular meeting Wednesday allowing the county to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Actually, it’s good news,” Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. The funding would come from CDBG, separate from the grants the county receives annually through the program. The money is for communities whose ratable base diminished by more than 5 percent because of the superstorm, county Business Administrator Carl Block said. “We may be able to incorporate…
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Measure would have delayed hikes for five more years
An amendment aimed at halting federal flood insurance rate hikes for five years has been blocked in the U.S. Senate. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) was blocked from coming to a vote Tuesday by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Amendments in the U.S. Senate require what is known as "unanimous consent" before a vote can take place, meaning a single member can block a vote from occurring. Toomey told the New Orleans Times-Picayune Tuesday that he objected to changing reforms put in place last year because he supports the move to "diminish the subsidization that occurs now where homeowners in low-risk areas are made to subsidize in high-risk areas." Landrieu, the newspaper reported, said she will likely reintroduce the …
Monday, May 13, 2013
'Triple whammy' for Shore residents, Menendez says on U.S. Senate floor
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez threw Shore residents a virtual lifeline Thursday, delivering an address on the Senate floor where he urged colleagues to support an amendment to federal legislation that would stop flood insurance rate hikes, at least in the short term. Menendez (D-N.J.) spoke in favor of an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act which would stop flood insurance premiums from rising until FEMA completes its study on the affordability of premiums of the National Flood Insurance Program. Shore homeowners face annual flood insurance premiums of up to $31,000 a year if they do not raise their homes at a significant cost. Many homeowners who were never previously located in flood zones now find themselves being listed as …
Saturday, May 4, 2013
The funding will be used to pay back portions of expenditures incurred as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $15 million in federal Public Assistance grants for shore communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy in a latest round of funding, according to a release from Gov. Chris Christie's office. The aid will be used to reimburse municipalities and counties for costs incurred in the aftermath of the late-October storm, whether that be for rescue efforts, cleanup, or reconstruction. The more than $15 million in grant funding has been awarded to Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and Woodbridge Township. Monmouth County will receive federal funding to reimburse the Sheriff's Department, which supplied security at shelters following Sandy and performed…
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Boardwalk to be done by Memorial Day weekend
Shortly after Point Beach announced it had not received a dime of FEMA money, FEMA announced it's sending the oceanfront town $2.1 million to help pay for the rebuilding of its Sandy-ravaged boardwalk. Eight days after Point Beach officials at a council meeting bemoaned the lack of cash flowing from FEMA, FEMA made its announcement. On Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez (both D-NJ) today announced that Point Pleasant Beach will receive more than $2.1 million to reimburse the town for the cost of repairing and rebuilding the boardwalk. The allocation reimburses the town for 75 percent of its written request to FEMA for the cost of the boardwalk repairs and rebuilding, said Point Beach Business …
Friday, April 26, 2013
FEMA video shows that Seaside Heights plans to be open for summer
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, April 26
Seaside Heights and its boardwalk will be open for business this summer, and a new video from FEMA highlights the restoration efforts making that possible. In the video, Mayor William Akers recalls the days after Superstorm Sandy. "One of the first questions I got asked was, 'are you going to be open for the summer?'" he said. The answer is, yes. Michael Graichen, special events spokesperson for Seaside Heights, has said the boardwalk rebuilding process continues, with May 10 set as the target date for its reopening.
May 1 is the final day for residents to apply for federal assistance in aftermath of iHurricane Sandy.
Victims of Hurricane Sandy who suffered storm-related losses have until midnight Wednesday (May 1) to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance. Survivors can register online and check the status of their applications at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. They also can call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. May 1 is also the deadline to return applications for Small Business Administration loans, which are the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding. Those interested in the low-interest loan program can apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan by filling out an online application …
Homeowners are faced with a choice of elevating a home at a high cost or paying thousands more for flood insurance
Elevate, pay thousands more in flood insurance premiums or simply walk away from homes? That is the question on the minds of some Hurricane Sandy victims. The first floor of Craig Verran’s Manasquan home was totaled. A home that never took on water in its nine years is now being refurbished prior to Verran making his decision. “It’s a tough decision,” Verran said. “You either elevate or else. It’s an 'or else' situation. You’re going to face premiums that are unbearable.” In addition to $150,000 toward the damage to his home and car, Verran will be facing at least $75,000 to elevate his home or a $7,500 increase in his insurance, he said. Before Sandy, Verran’s home was 1 foot above the required elevation and not in a flood zone. Now, with…
Mrgrumpass
8:43 am on Thursday, May 23, 2013
We here on the shore are not the right demographic to really get Menendez’s’ attention or effort. But we will get the occasional photo op when someone important enough shows up on the shore he will be there with his Howdy Duty grin. more ›