Township administrator outlines Community Center improvements, public surveys
Nicholas Mistretta
$850,000 Grant to Support Community Center Improvements
Township Business Administrator Lori Savron provided an update on an $850,000 federal grant awarded for improvements at the Otto Kaufman Community Center and Senior Center.
The township expects the federal government to provide the documents needed to execute the grant agreement in October. Construction cannot begin and grant funds cannot be spent until that agreement is finalized.
In the meantime, staff members are continuing to develop the project’s scope of work and review federal requirements, including Build America, Buy America provisions governing the materials used in federally funded projects.
Savron said the planned improvements are primarily interior work, and the township does not anticipate significant complications during the required environmental review.
A formal presentation outlining the proposed upgrades could be made to the Township Committee near the end of August.
Residents Asked to Help Shape Health and Transportation Planning
The township is also continuing its Plan for Health initiative, which will help inform the upcoming update of Montgomery’s municipal master plan.
An interactive online mapping survey allows residents and businesses to identify locations where changes could make the community healthier, safer or easier to navigate. Participants can place markers on a map and leave comments about specific roads, neighborhoods or public spaces.
Savron said Montgomery was one of six municipalities selected through a competitive process to participate in the program, which is being led by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association.
The project examines how land-use planning and neighborhood design affect public health. Additional community engagement sessions are expected to be held in the fall.
The township also expects to present the results of a separate transportation survey during the Township Committee’s Aug. 20 meeting.
The proposal could involve a partnership with the Harlingen Church. Township Business Administrator Lori Savron said Montgomery does not currently have a community garden and described the possibility of a public-private partnership as appealing.
The proposal remains in the early stages, and additional information will be released as discussions continue.
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com