Council hears grant update for 21 Fairhaven Road project; Shade Tree Commission plan approved

Council heard updates on two separate items affecting borough capital projects.

A councilor said the advisory committee for 21 Fairhaven Road provided a financial update: the borough learned in June that it received a $380,000 grant that can be applied over three acres, allowing the release of sequestered matching funds and enabling further analysis, including a parking and circulation study. Staff told the council a letter of intent from Stevens Institute of Technology had arrived: Stevens will provide a concept plan for a living shoreline using institute funds, which could reduce the need for an engineered edge and enable applications for additional NJDEP grants aimed at carbon sequestration.

Separately, the Shade Tree Commission presented a tree-replacement plan for 626 River Road and Fairhaven Fields. The commission chair, Jill Sullivan, attended and described recommended replacement species and planting locations. Councilors asked procedural questions about who would notify the property owner and whether the borough or the commission would coordinate plantings; staff said notifications would come from the central office and that smaller purchases could be coordinated under the borough's tree-buying program.

A council member moved to approve the Shade Tree Commission's recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved by the governing body. Council also introduced the general capital ordinance for public hearing and adoption at the next council meeting on July 27.

Staff said the Stevens Institute concept plan will have a timeline and deliverables forthcoming, and the partnership may help the borough apply for additional state grants to reduce construction costs.