Township To Receive $1.7 Million FEMA Grant

Wall Township is on track to receive a $1.7 million federal grant to recover most of the money spent cleaning up from Superstorm Sandy, according to a release.

The township has received preliminary approval for a $1,684,493.01 federal grant to pay for loading, hauling and disposal of debris resulting from the storm, according to a release from U.S. Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J.

Wall removed about 14,000 tons, or 79,279 cubic yards, of brush that was felled during the storm, township officials have said.

The Department of Public Works removed more than 31,000 cubic yards of debris and contractors removed another 48,000. Three temporary staging areas were used to pile the debris until its final disposal, according to the release.

The township also rented equipment and purchased materials to remove the debris, which was hauled Lertch Recycling Center on Belmar Boulevard for disposal, for a cost of $1,871,659.

“We are delighted that FEMA is reimbursing Wall Township over $1.6 million for damages we incurred during Sandy, and we really appreciate all the help that Congressman Smith’s office has given us in getting resolution on this,” said Wall Mayor Todd Luttman said in the release. “This award reimburses the township for work that was done on behalf of Wall residents by our Township employees.”

“Nearly a year ago Wall was among the towns hit hard by Sandy,” Smith said in the release. “The human costs in terms of disruption of homelife, community and commerce was near immeasurable, and for many people, catastrophic. But local workers rolled up their sleeves and went to work to reopen their town and get back on track to normalcy. Meanwhile, municipal governments incurred never-before-seen expenses added to their town budgets. This funding will help offset the financial impact on the township’s budget and local taxes.”