FREEHOLD – Municipal officials are planning to use storm recovery reserves to pay for expenses related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
On April 6, Borough Council members in Freehold Borough authorized the use of storm recovery reserves to help pay for the community’s coronavirus pandemic response. According to borough officials, there is $171,000 in the fund.
According to a resolution, municipal officials may authorize the use of storm recovery reserve funds for any purpose necessary to protect the safety, security, health and welfare of citizens from damage caused by an emergency that has been declared by the governor or the president.
Because Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in New Jersey in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Freehold Borough is authorized to use the storm recovery reserves to respond to the ongoing crisis.
Council members said they believed it was in the best interest of the borough to authorize the use of the fund for expenditures incurred in response to the state of emergency.
The storm recovery reserves will be allocated toward extraordinary expenses such as medical supplies, the purchase of equipment to help protect emergency responders and assist the police in dispersing large gatherings, and technology equipment that will allow municipal officials and municipal employees to work remotely.
In other business, the council authorized contributions to the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad regarding fuel and workmen’s compensation insurance.
The council will enter into an agreement with the squad for the provision of gasoline/fuel for the squad’s vehicles and the provision of workmen’s compensation insurance.
According to a resolution, the first aid squad will pay for any fuel or gasoline that is obtained from Freehold Borough at the same price municipal officials paid for the gasoline or fuel.
In addition, workmen’s compensation insurance may be provided to the volunteer members of the squad at no cost to the borough.
The Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad is an all-volunteer organization that provides emergency services to the residents of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township.
