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Byram discusses funding options for police department building after USDA grant
Summary
Council reviewed an allocated USDA grant for a new police building, noted $550,000 already set aside, and agreed to proceed with cost-estimation and planning while final funding (capital, bond, or hybrid) is determined.
Township Manager Joseph Sabatini told the Byram Township Council on April 7 that the township has an allocated but not-yet-committed USDA federal grant for a Police Department building and must complete architectural and environmental reports before committing funds.
Sabatini said the township already has $550,000 set aside for the project and described possible approaches to cover the remaining balance: issuing a bond, using capital funds, or a hybrid of both. The minutes record that Councilwoman Franco favored issuing a $1 million bond, Mayor Rubenstein preferred capital funding, and Councilman Proctor preferred full capital funding with the option to cancel and go to bond later. The council "agreed to go forward with the suggestion made by Councilman Proctor" while awaiting final cost estimates.
Sabatini emphasized next steps: obtain an estimator to firm up project costs and complete required reports so the township can tell USDA where the remaining balance would come from. The minutes show no formal funding vote at this meeting; council direction was limited to proceeding with planning and cost verification.
What happens next
Township staff will seek detailed cost estimates and return to council with final figures and a recommended funding plan. The USDA requires a commitment from the township on how the balance will be funded before final grant steps can proceed, according to the minutes.
(Reporting note: the transcript records a capital funding reference of "$1.2" but does not specify units; that item is noted as ambiguous in the meeting minutes.)
