An ordinance that involves the acquisition of a piece of land in Belford, which is needed for the Port Monmouth Flood Control Project, was adopted by the Middletown Township Committee.
According to the ordinance that was adopted at the township meeting that was held on April 2, J. Crawford Compton Inc., a real estate agency, is the owner of the 10+ acres of wetlands located in Compton Creek in Belford – the area that will be acquired as a part of the multimillion dollar federal project.
The Port Monmouth Flood Control Project is a flood management system, located in Port Monmouth, that began construction after the devastation of superstorm Sandy, according to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers previously conducted an investigation and identified areas located in Middletown Township that were subject to significant coastal storm damage and tide-induced flooding, according to the ordinance.
The Belford property since has been carefully identified as a necessary component of the Port Monmouth Flood Control Project, therefore, Middletown intends to claim ownership of the land, according to the township.
According to the ordinance, Middletown recognizes coastal storm damage and tide-induced flooding in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown is a significant concern that threatens the safety of residents in both the township and the state of New Jersey.
After appraisal, the estimated market value of the property totaled $75,000.
“Ultimately, the state of New Jersey is going to pay for this,” said Middletown Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante.
In other action that was held during the meeting on April 2, the township committee also voted to adopt an ordinance that called for the authorization of preliminary expenses for the community’s town hall project.
“The town hall project involves the development of a new municipal complex on the same grounds that town hall is on now,” Mercantante said. “Project costs have not been finally determined yet. That part of the negotiation process is underway.”
In relation to the new municipal complex, the township plans to adopt an ordinance that calls for an appropriation of $3,013,447 needed for various capital improvement expenses.
According to the ordinance, Middletown Township’s capital improvements include local road improvements, the installation of field lighting at the Nut Swamp Elementary School field, improvements to the Stevenson Bridge, funding for the Fort Monmouth Flood Control Project and various other community enhancements.
The council will vote on adopting the two ordinances –authorization of preliminary expenses for the town hall project and the capital improvement expenses– on April 16.
