Kearny submits $7.82 million lead-service replacement loan application to New Jersey Infrastructure Bank

The Town of Kearny voted on April 22 to submit two loan applications to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB): a $7,819,754.40 loan for a lead service line replacement project and a $645,952 loan for a clean-water green-infrastructure project.

The applications were listed among resolutions on the council agenda and moved through the consent agenda without separate recorded roll-call debate. David, a town staff member, described the status and sequence for the projects, saying the town’s initial application “went into the state I bank program ... back in November of 2024” and that the town’s submission is split into two separate loan requests for the NJIB review.

Why it matters: the lead-service program is the larger of the two and will fund the replacement of lead water services and follow-up roadway restoration. Officials told the council the work will begin with lead-service replacements and then repaving of streets once service work is complete — work that requires contractual procurement and will be scheduled after NJIB authorization and the town’s bond ordinance.

Details provided at the meeting - Project budgets on the agenda: $7,819,754.40 for lead service replacement; $645,952 for green-infrastructure clean-water work. - David said the applications were prepared in two loans as required by NJIB and that the town will prepare a bond ordinance and then proceed to public bidding after the bank’s authorization. “At that point, then we can start that public bid process while the town then closes on the loan,” David said. - Council members and residents raised concerns about delays: a resident, Melanie Ryan, urged clearer public communications about the NJIB process and timelines, saying, “Even when you say infrastructure bank, nobody knows what that is.”

What the town said about homeowner involvement and timing Town staff said contractors hired for the project will perform lead-service replacements first, then repave roadways after that work is finished. Officials said homeowners on affected blocks must sign forms to opt in to replacement work; staff will distribute letters and forms to affected residents and contractors will schedule individual house work once sign-offs are collected.

Questions and next steps Council members asked how the figures break down between lead-service replacement and roadway work. David said the loan totals include lead-service work and roadway restoration. He estimated typical public pricing for full replacement from the water main to the house meter at roughly $7,500–$8,000 per service and reiterated that the water utility is responsible under state law for replacement “from the water main all the way to the house meter.”

Officials said the next steps are NJIB review of the loan submissions, preparation of a bond ordinance by the town, and then an authorization to bid contractors; the timeline given at the meeting indicated the process is already in state review and that authorization is pending.

Ending note Council members and several residents pressed for clearer, earlier public notices because many homeowners on previously listed streets said they have waited months for testing and replacement. Town staff said they will send letters to affected properties once the NJIB authorization is received and asked residents to watch for official notices and opt-in forms.